When it is time to head off base for a well-deserved vacation, many questions arise. Though military personnel travel quite a bit, they are usually flying on official business. Therefore, they may be unfamiliar with civilian travel regulations. Taking a laptop on a commercial flight is not a difficult process if you follow the rules.
Military discount airline tickets do not come with an orientation to commercial travel. Passengers are expected to learn the rules in order to avoid delays and complications at the airport. As of August 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began allowing laptops to remain in carryon bags that offer an unobstructed, clear image of the laptop during the X-ray screening process.
The TSA screens laptops to determine whether the electronics have been subject to tampering. Workers know what an untampered computer should look like when they view a clear image. Once discount airline tickets are in their possession, military personnel should purchase one of the butterfly, sleeve, or trifold style laptop bags that are checkpoint-friendly. Though using one does not guarantee that the laptop can remain inside during X-ray screening, it increases the chances.
The bag should contain a section designated for the laptop and this should be able to lay flat on an X-ray belt. There should not be pockets or metal buckles, zippers, or snaps on top of, underneath, or inside this section. Only the laptop should be placed into this compartment and the bag should be unfolded completely so there is nothing below this section.
The TSA does not endorse or approve any particular bag manufacturer or design. Finding a bag that meets the requirements and packing it appropriately should provide an unobstructed and clear X-ray image during screening. Travelers can hand over their military discount airline ticket for inspection and move themselves and their carry-on baggage through the X-ray process without delay.