“This trip we’re previewing the Tom Bihn Aeronaut and the Briggs and Reilly 20″ Carry-On Superlight Upright. If you’d like a first look at these bags along with a little lesson in what we’ve packed where, have a look at our luggage video on YouTube.”

Below: excerpts of the Gadling.com review by Scott Carmichael “Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer TSA friendly laptop bag”:

“As I mentioned earlier, the quality of the bag is simply amazing. I always considered myself a bit of a laptop bag “snob”, and have regularly purchased expensive bags to protect my goodies, but none of them are as well designed and well made as the Checkpoint Flyer. All the zippers on the top are splashproof thanks to special YKK zippers. The material feels bulletproof and I absolutely adore the color combination (I have the crimson/black version).”

“Of course, the real test happens at the airport, and I am happy to report that things actually went smooth; on a flight from Chicago to Amsterdam the bag unfolded and went through the X-Ray machine without any TSA agents yelling and screaming. And to be honest, it wasn’t the bag I was fearing, it was lack of training of the TSA agents. Thankfully most of them seem to have received the memo, and the bag was able to pass security without running the risk of losing a laptop. Unfortunately, the airport sterile zone is not the kind of place where you can pull out your camera and photograph what is happening, so you’ll have to settle for some photos made on my patio.”

We’ll be linking to the excellent Gadling review of the Checkpoint Flyer following this post, but wanted to make sure you saw the engadget post because of the interesting comments.

“At a time when Americans worry about the economy or jobs moving overseas, Ristretto and its sibling products are refreshing reminders that innovation and manufacturing still thrive on these shores. Tom designs the bags, which are produced at a factory in Seattle.

There’s a European feel to Ristretto’s design. I vacillate from understanding my wife’s experience carrying a purse to feeling like I’m boarding the Eurail for the Netherlands. There’s something not American about this very American-made bag. The Ristretto’s vertical design, over-the-shoulder strap and asymmetrical flap contribute to the distinctive appearance, which wonderfully complements MacBook Air’s subtle contours.” – Read the full review by Joe Wilcox of eWEEK’s Apple Watch. Then see the Ristretto for yourself.

Posted by designdude on ThisNext:
“Genius functional design takes into account the needs of the marketplace and creates a product that offers a utility that makes immediate sense. In response to Transportation Security Administration-dictated inspection of your laptop every time you board a plane, Tom Bihn’s Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase presents a unique sleeve for your laptop that is easily accessible and protected by two outer compartments when not exposed for inspection. Boarding a plane with your notebook has simply never been so effortless and safe.”