New pictures of the Checkpoint Flyer “checkpoint friendly” Laptop Briefcase

TOM BIHN Checkpoint Flyer Logo

The above picture shows the three layers of the Checkpoint Flyer laid out: the laptop compartment (zipped open to show the laptop for this picture), main compartment with front pockets, and flap compartment.

TOM BIHN Checkpoint Flyer Logo
With the Absolute Shoulder Strap.

TOM BIHN Checkpoint Flyer Logo
Another view of the three layers, this time secured and ready for use as a briefcase.

Picture: The Checkpoint Flyer Logo

TOM BIHN Checkpoint Flyer Logo

Why the airplane logo?

“My father was a Pan Am pilot: I was flying before my earliest memories. Designing the Checkpoint Flyer was at once a glimpse into the future and a blast from the past” — Tom

TOM BIHN Checkpoint Flyer Logo

Introducing the Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase by TOM BIHN: A “Checkpoint Friendly” Laptop Bag

Introducing the Checkoint Flyer Briefcase by TOM BIHN: A SEATTLE, WA — August 18th, 2008

TOM BIHN, a designer, manufacturer,
and retailer of laptop bags, backpacks, messenger bags, and briefcases,
has introduced the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase, a new “checkpoint friendly” briefcase-style
laptop bag with a highly protective compartment for a laptop computer.

The Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase is Tom Bihn’s answer to an intensive, five-month design challenge issued by the TSA
(Transportation Security Administration) to design a laptop bag that meets its newly
implemented “checkpoint friendly” program guidelines. The Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase
provides the TSA with a clear, unobstructed x-ray view of the laptop in the bag
without sacrificing organizational pockets and clean design.

Unique features of the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase include:

  • Handsome and tough U.S. made 1050 denier ballistic nylon, splash-proof YKK Uretek zippers,
    Duraflex Stealth buckles, and Poron foam-padded handles.
  • Made in USA in Tom Bihn’s own Seattle factory.
  • Over 11 organizational pockets.
  • Back pocket zips open to accommodate the handle of a roll-aboard.
  • Quick-access boarding pass/map pocket.
  • Molded foam laptop compartment that completely encases the laptop in 8mm-thick closed
    cell foam, available in three sizes designed specifically to fit Apple laptops. Also
    fits a wide variety of PC laptops.
  • Requires only 3 seconds to be prepared in order to send the briefcase through the x-ray machine.
  • Not designed simply for the security checkpoint process, the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop
    Briefcase works well as an everyday laptop bag.
  • The Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase is available for pre-order through the
    TOM BIHN Web site and ships by late September. $220. Available in three colors.

    TOM BIHN has been designing and creating bags for over 30 years.
    The TOM BIHN Inc. headquarters and factory are located in Seattle, Washington,
    where the company is dedicated to creating quality products and quality jobs.
    The public is welcome to visit the TOM BIHN Seattle Factory Showroom and Retail
    Store and see where the bags are made. TOM BIHN products are available for order
    and worldwide shipping at the company’s website – http://www.tombihn.com

    High-resolution photographs of the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase can be found here. For samples of the bags
    for review, please contact Darcy Hudgens, Vice President of Marketing
    (darcy@tombihn.com) or 1-800-729-9607.

    High-Resolution Images of the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Briefcase

    TOM BIHN checkpoint friendly Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Bag high-res images
    Click here to download the above image. 300 dpi. 25.35mb.

    TOM BIHN checkpoint friendly Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Bag high-res images
    Click here to download the above image. 300 dpi. 18.15mb.

    TOM BIHN checkpoint friendly Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Bag high-res images
    Click here to download the above image. 300 dpi. 16.89mb.

    IGN: Tom Bihn Brain Cell Review

    TOM BIHN Brain Cell Laptop Case Now with Memory Foam

    “After some thorough use, we were rather unable to come up with much to dislike about the Brain Cell bags. Their construction has already survived daily commutes from the home and office, as well as the terrors of IGN’s E3 war room, with out fraying or failure. Our confidence in the protection provided by the Brain Cells has also not been in vain, as our MacBook Pro immerged undamaged after a small fall during the show.” Read the entire review at IGN.com. Or, see the Brain Cell.

    TOM BIHN Brain Cell Laptop Case Reviewed by IGN.COM

    Seen on Flickr: reinaltong’s Tom Bihn Smart Alec photo set

    reinaltong's Tom Bihn Smart Alec laptop backpack photo set

    Above: a screen shot of reinaltong’s Tom Bihn Smart Alec photo set on Flickr. Click here to see the whole set, then post in our Tom Bihn Forums and discuss the pictures with reina. Finally: see the Smart Alec for yourself.

    Squidoo Lens “Funky, Chic and Cool Knitting Bags” Reviews the Swift

    Funky, Chic and Cool Knitting Bags: Review of the Tom Bihn Swift Knitting Bag

    “With its clever construction, myriad organizational options and action-oriented name, I predicted that the Swift would take me from knit klutz to knit kninja in seconds. That’s right! Knit Kninja! Hear that wooshing sound? That was me, finishing a whole sock before you could turn your head!

    Okay – the Swift does not *technically* make me a faster knitter. But it makes me a much more organized knitter, so that I can get to the knitting faster and that’s the first step.” Read the full (most excellent and informative) review or see the Swift.

    Funky, Chic and Cool Knitting Bags: Review of the Tom Bihn Swift Knitting Bag

    Above: the pictures from the review @ Flickr.

    Seen on Flickr: GoGear 2.0

    Below: “GoGear 2.0″. A Tom Bihn Ristretto Vertical Messenger bag is featured. Be sure to view the picture at Flickr so that you can read the mouse-over notes.
    Seen on Flickr: TOM BIHN Ristretto with MacBook Air and accessories

    Ruck’s Sac Backpack Reviewed by Plain Jane Mom

    Plain Jane Mom Reviews the TOM BIHN Ruck's Sac Backpack

    Plain Jane Mom Reviews the TOM BIHN Ruck's Sac Backpack

    “One night I was chatting with my husband after dinner and told him how I was tired of buying cheap kid’s backpacks only because they had Superman/Batman/Ironman on them. They just fall apart and are a waste of money. I told him that I was going to go find some real, well-made backpacks that were like adult backpacks, but sized-down for kids.

    The following day I heard from someone at Tom Bihn asking me if I would like to try out their “Ruck’s Sac Smaller Backpack” — a scaled-down version of their backpacks for adults.

    Does Tom Bihn bug my kitchen?
    Well, if they do, it is worth it. They sent one to Eddie (5) and Henry (6) to try out, and the packs are a huge success. My boys instantly loved the chest-strap which they could click together and no longer have to keep tugging at their straps — the pack stays on no matter how crazily they run around or tumble, or wrestle, or fight, or… well you get the idea of what my days are like. (And if your child doesn’t like the strap, it’s easily removable so it doesn’t flop around and bug them.)”
    Read Erika’s entire review of the Ruck’s Sac.

    The TOM BIHN Ruck's Sac Backpack (Great for kids or smaller adults)

    Above: the Ruck’s Sac.

    OBOW: Lowest common (carry-on) denominator

    One Bag One World Size Comparison of the TOM BIHN Western Flyer and Aeronaut

    “One of the readers of the hobotraveler.com blog researched international carry-on regulations to find the lowest common denominator for bag dimensions and weights.”
    ……..
    “The TB Western Flyer at 18 x 12 x 7” is one of the few bags I know that fits comfortably under the size limits.”

    Read: Lowest common (carry-on) denominator @ One Bag, One World While you’re there, help OBOW pick its new domain name.

    TOM BIHN Western Flyer Reviewed at One Bag, One World
    Above: the Tom Bihn Western Flyer.