It seems like it just keeps getting harder to travel by plane with any bags at all, let alone take those bags on the plane with you, so anytime a vendor can come up with something to ease the process it’s a big help for frequent travelers. As such, the “write home about” feature of Booq’s new Taipan Lift is that unlike the typical one-shoulder laptop bags, this one can open to a full 180 degrees so that your laptop can remain inside the bag while going through airport security checkpoints.

The way it works is that the two internal straps that normally keep the bag from opening more than about 20 degrees can be unsnapped so the bag lays flat. I’d never thought about a feature like this, but seeing as how the only visible scratch on my MacBook Pro is a direct result of one of those plastic TSA bins, I’m suddenly in love with the idea. I thought about waiting to write this review until I had the chance to actually take it through a TSA checkpoint – but then I recalled that, at the risk of politicizing the issue, I’ve never encountered two different TSA agents who had an even remotely similar interpretation of the rules or the law, so any TSA experiences you might have with this bag won’t necessarily be the same as mine anyway. Suffice it to say that even if this bag allows me to avoid putting my laptop into a plastic bin most of the time, it’ll be a welcome change.

As far as standard laptop bag criteria, it’s got too many internal pockets to even count (again, a plus for travelers with gadgets), including slots for pens, cards, and so one, plus an external pocket on each size (one zippered, one not). The adjustable shoulder strap is well padded and removable, and my only complaint about the handles is that unlike some other bags, the two handles can’t be bound together; you have to reach for them both when you go to pick it up. Stylistically, the orange highlights are what make the otherwise all-black bag stand out. It’s not inexpensive ($99 for 15 -17 inch laptops, $89 for 13-14 inchers), but it’s a well done product.

Learn more about the Taipan Lift L and Taipan Lift S