So here’s the scenario. You’re late for your flight and have to make it through the almost impenetrable barrier of the TSA scanners and X-ray machine. Shoes off and in one gray container (check), laptop out and in another (check), carry-on and laptop bags laid on their side and placed on the x-ray conveyor belt that always reminds me of a Luigi’s Brushless Car Wash. You walk forward and place your feet on the mat with the chalk outline of the shoe homicide and look forward at the agent on the other side of the metal framework. She waves you forward and the buzzer goes off like you’re the one-millionth customer at an Arby’s. Sure enough you left your cell phone in one pocket, your keys and loose change in another and what’s that bulge?…..they suspect your wallet is made of weapons grade plutonium. So back to the other side, place your items on more trays and send them through the conveyor belt as well. This time things go as planned, no onerous whistles or blinking lights and the TSA  agent waves you through like a 747 taxiing on the tarmac. But wait, now my stuff is scattered around the X-ray machine like the clothes rack at a  two dollar sale at Walmart.

Want to avoid all this?

Designate a Pocket! Simple, designate the front pocket of one of your carry-ons (in my case it’s an Urban Disguise Laptop bag made by Think Tank) which also carries various other photographic items and my iPad. Before stepping into the chaos of the TSA line, I place my wallet, watch, belt, loose change and iPhone in the front of the bag and zip it tight so I can forget about these items until I’m safely on the other side where I only have to gather my shoes, MacBook Pro and carry-ons. I then sit down at the first available seat and put everything in their rightful place or pocket. One less hassle to deal with…

With a simple photograph I’ll try to illustrate why the Apple iPad, in my mind, is an essential travel device. Between  iBooks, amazon.com, and borders.com there are no shortage of travel guides available to the eBook market.  Also, with Zinio, you can manage your magazine subscriptions so they are delivered as digital subscriptions every month (save a tree). With many airlines charging for each piece of luggage and every kilo over a certain limit, it makes more and more sense to put one of these babies in your carry-on. I don’t leave home without it!