johnnymac's dashboard

I'm waiting on my timbuk2 bag right now (yay!), but the soft briefcase I've used for a while doesn't add more than about ten seconds to my security clearance time, and I'd bet my timbuk2 will be about the same. I know people who put their laptops in roller bags, and that takes a lot more effort... but I'm not sure there's a clear benefit for time/effort/cost to make a bag you don't have to remove your laptop from. My perspective, of course. I think what probably causes more delays clearing security are people who don't travel much, and are unprepared/not used to the requirements.

Yo!
Beeing a father of three kids and working as an editor for the travel section of a Swedish daily newspaper I spend a lot of time carrying my computor, camera, books, clothes and and my kids things in the messengerbag on numerous airports, trains and ships every month when I'm on mission.

The travel line seems to be something I would gladly test for you. The messengerbag has so far been the closest to a perfect travel bag I've had but there is still room for improvement.

I know I would be the right person to test your new line of bags.

Regards
/D

This is actually a complex issue:

First, TSA is not in the business of approving anything- however they are allowing private industry to test prototypes for compliance with x-ray machines.
Second, although there is innovation to be made, there is no magic bullet system to leaving your laptop in your bag. "Leave in your bag" systems that are being tested by TSA actually DO require to the user to manipulate the bag (with fold out sections, zippers, straps, etc.) so that the laptop section lays flat on the conveyor belt, unobstructed by any objects that are part of or in the bag.

We're very excited to see how others have addressed these issues, and Timbuk2 is working on several solutions due out during the next 18 months.

I do a 2 hour commute every day that involves trains, Muni buses, shuttles, walking, etc. Also travel by plane every few weeks. Carry a laptop, two iPods, cell phone, multiple books, two pairs of glasses and other assorted goodies. – Ben Kessler, on July 10, 2008 18:47

Hey Slacker, Check your email.. – B, on July 10, 2008 18:38

Leather is not a part of our plans for now, but check your email.. – B, on July 10, 2008 18:36

Hey Teri, Can you send me your email address? – B, on July 10, 2008 18:30

Hey Ben, How often do you travel and what "gear" do you usually carry with you? – B, on July 10, 2008 18:28

Hey,

Thank you all for your patience. Our current "Weartester" program is running the product line for the upcoming season - Spring 09. Our main launch will be our travel line. Over the next few days I will be emailing those selected, individually on your personal id's. There were certain criteria that had to be met for being chosen and this being the travel line we were primarily looking for people who fly at least twice a month. This was so that we can get maximum feedback in the shortest time possible.

For those of you who didn't hear back from us, Keep the faith! The travel line is going through its final stages and we are currently working on something very exciting for the fall 09 season which will preview on the "Weartester" site in the next few months. This will be a for a universal target market - which means almost all of you guys can test it.

"Weartesters" works as a peer to peer service, similar to Netflix, where you sign up for a bag, test it and then ship it to the next person who's signed up for it (instead of shipping it back to us). So if you live outside the continental USA, this may not work as effectively.

Hopefully this answers all your concerns, if you weren't selected. This being said... keep looking out on Get Satisfaction for our next search for Timbuk2 Weartesters.

Cheers!

So...has anybody heard anything about being a weartester?

Hi there, I am a post graduate student in Australia. I have used a few other branded messenger but none the less, most impressed with your product. I have been very delighted to use your stuff around campus. I travel to university everyday for 2 hours and do lots of traveling both in Australia (inter-states) and internationally for conferences and research collaborations. I will be seriously very happy to review what you guys could offer in terms of a daily traveling bag. The messenger I had is wonderful, it can securely hold my laptop and giving it an excellent protection.

I will be heading to Sydney, Adelaide, Vancouver and Singapore within this year. My messenger or the one that I am going to test drive will definitely be coming along. I am extremely excited to test wear a new product through the train stations, airports, security lines, and buses of many countries. It will definitely be my valuable, treasured companion.

I have a few other mates who are lovers of messenger bags and I am more than delighted to give them feedbacks on the test driven bag.

Regards,
email is; wincluster@gmail.com

I am a huge Timbuk2 enthusiast and make travels to different states in the U.S. and other countries very often. Currently I am living in San Francisco with a 2 hour commute every day and need an easy and comfortable way to bring all my gear with me. Outside of work I'm constantly on public transportation and moving about the city whether it be on bus, by foot, bike or car. Every bag I've owned before has completely worn - I've ripped holes, broken snaps, tore the stitching on velcro, etc. I handle my bags with love and care but everyday life just tears them apart!

Would love to participate.
My e-mail: benkessler at gmail dot com.

Thanks!

Hi!
I travel by air at least once a month, and make frequent 1-3 day trips by car. I live in Alaska, so pretty much anywhere I fly means hours in transit and usually going through more than one airline hub. I've used lots of different types of luggage over the years, always looking for gear with enough room that is also easy to carry or wheel around, that helps keep stuff organized, holds up well to all the rigors of travel (including being thrown around by baggage handlers), and that LOOKS GOOD! Right now I'm liking some stuff by Eagle Creek, I have and use other brands of luggage, too.

I'm also an athlete and a mother, and a minimalist-wannabe. The athlete and mother roles mean traveling with gear for workouts and kid stuff, the minimalist-wannabe means trying to pare stuff down to the absolute minimum. That's a battle that I don't always win, but I've gotten pretty good at traveling relatively light.

My road trips usually involve travel to ski or wilderness areas (if I'm going to live in a state with 7 months of winter, I'm going to enjoy it!), that means lots of throwing luggage from car to boat or snowy trail or even to sled.

Right now I use two Timbuk2 cargo totes and a wallet. I love that your stuff is tough, it doesn't seem to show much wear (hooray), the colors are fun, and you've thought of really convenient features. I also like that on the cargo totes and wallet, there are just enough compartments and pockets, but not too many - too many becomes a hassle, seems to me like it can be just as bad as not enough compartments.

Hello,

I would love to be a weartester. I am a Northwesterner, who loves to travel. In the last year, I have been to California, Mexico, France, Vietnam, and Taipei. Many more travel plans for the year to come. I am 25 years old and travel, at times, with my laptop, other times just need a good day pack. Also bike a lot around town. Let me know if I can help!

Alan

wheee~! great~! i want in~! please.~!

Hooray!

Check your email. – B, on June 24, 2008 16:52

Thank you all for being patient.. We are updating our "Weartester" program to include more bags and testers in it.

We will contact you guys by the first week of July.

Still waiting to hear if I can be a working mommy wear tester.......a yay or nay would be great.

lil_pineapple@verizon.net

I travel on business, and have been working to reduce the number of things I carry. I do not want a ton of little compartments. I do not want something that is clever for the sake of clever; little discrete compartments sound great on paper but then you get held up in security by the little complimentary pen knife that got stuck in some little crevice.

Model Name: Johnny Go Lightly

1. Must be carry on.
2. No WHEELS please. Wheels mean a frame, and this is definitely a soft-side bag.
3. Courier style, convertible to Backpack, with carry handles on long and short edge of bag.
4. Outside zippered pocket for passport and airline tickets. Must be long enough to hold standard tickets.
5. Compression straps to reduce size inside and out (clothes mysteriously get bigger on return trip.
6. No metal.
7. Zippered inner compartments to segregate dirty clothes from clean.
8. Double, water PROOF bottom
9. In both subtle and glaringly bright colors (easy to spot on luggage carousel)
10. Place for iPod and headphones, including iPhone.
11. Inner pocket with removable, sealable leakproof liner for toothpaste, cosmetics, etc.
12. Straps that allow an slimline laptop case to be added externally, not internally. That allows you to check in your bag and have your laptop with a case if need be, or leave it behind if you don't need the extra bulk.