The piece is a collaboration between Samsonite and Micro Mobility, and will certainly improve your Terminal A travel time thanks to the three wheels housed below. Not feeling a race or a scoot? You could always just pull this puppy like normal luggage. Square.

There's no pricing on this thing, but the CrunchGear fellas wagered a $120 guess. I'm no luggage expert, but that sounds about right. The looks and exercise you get will pay that off in fitness/popularity in no time. [Reddit via CrunchGear via Ubergizmo]

Waaaay beyond actually. That way you can bitch at the baggage handlers tossing your luggage off a plane in Alaska while you sit in the airport in Philadelphia. [TYNKE via TRFJ via OhGizmo]

You may also remember that Google already said it would foot the bill for Virgin America Wi-Fi during the same period.

The catch? Once you log into the network, you'll be pestered if you want to set Google to your homepage or try Google Chrome. But that's it. I can deal with that. You'll also have the option to make a donation to Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.

Meanwhile, Yahoo is providing free Wi-Fi for an entire year in Times Square, and Microsoft and JiWire will give free Wi-Fi at airports and hotels if you make one search on Bing. I like free stuff! [Google]

Airports for Google-Sponsored Free Wi-Fi:

• Austin (AUS)
• Baltimore (BWI)
• Billings (BIL)
• Boston (BOS)
• Bozeman (BZN)
• Buffalo (BUF)
• Burbank (BUR)
• Central Wisconsin (CWA)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Des Moines (DSM)
• El Paso (ELP)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Fort Myers/SW (RSW)
• Greensboro (GSO)
• Houston (HOU)
• Houston Bush (IAH)
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Jacksonville (JIA)
• Kalamazoo (AZO)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Louisville (SDF)
• Madison (MSN)
• Memphis (MEM)
• Miami (MIA)
• Milwaukee (MKE)
• Monterey (MRY)
• Nashville (BNA)
• Newport News (PHF)
• Norfolk (ORF)
• Oklahoma City (OKC)
• Omaha (OMA)
• Orlando (MCO)
• Panama City (PFN)
• Pittsburgh (PIT)
• Portland (PWM)
• Sacramento (SMF)
• San Antonio (SAT)
• San Diego (SAN)
• San Jose (SJC)
• Seattle (SEA)
• South Bend (SBN)
• Spokane (GEG)
• St. Louis (STL)
• State College (SCE)
• Toledo (TOL)
• Traverse City (TVC)

It seems like economy seats on airplanes are made for Hobbits. If only I was riding first class on a Swiss International flight. The new cabins on their A330 fleet make it seem like you are siting in a cafe or restaurant. [Link]
Needless to say, bringing gadgets on planes is a pain in the ass these days. TSA "checkpoint friendly" bags make it easier for security to check the contents of your bag which, in turn, helps you zip through faster. [Mobile Edge via Link]
Want a new iPod or digital camera for your trip? Gadget vending machines like this one from Best Buy can help you pass the time at airports. Maybe you want to use this opportunity to diversify your portfolio and invest in gold? No problem—there are airport vending machines for that too.
I have trouble sleeping on airplanes (see earlier reference to airplane Hobbit seats) and I don't mind looking like an idiot for a few hours if it means getting a little extra rest. Enter the Nap Cap. It keeps your head from swaying side to side during the flight, making conditions more comfortable for sleeping. Of course, you will probably end up leaning forward, mouth wide open, drooling in your lap. [Vacation Gadgets via Link]
Several major airports in the US have begun using cellphone boarding passes to help save passengers time. Unfortunately, my airport isn't one of them. [Link]
Even if you can't have fancy seats like the ones featured earlier on this list, you can still spice things up with these PlaneSheets slipcovers. Choose from options like "Leopard" and "Camo." Oh yes, you may be in coach but your style is first class all the way. Plus, the slipcovers help separate you from any germs and other nastyness that might be lurking on your seat. [PlaneSheets]
I'll be traveling on Sunday, so it will be the perfect opportunity to use my Supercast Mobile iPhone app to catch some games. If you are a DirecTV Supercast subscriber, you can watch every Sunday Ticket game, as well as check out scores, highlights and stats from your phone. It even streams over 3G (and it's free). [iTunes]

Both suspects were filmed by authorities rummaging through luggage bound for Miami on July 7th. They also switched luggage tags in a futile attempt to hide their crimes. The pair faces up to 4 years in prison if convicted—giving them plenty of time to swap stories with this guy. [Daily News via Gothamist via The Consumerist / Image via Flickr]

So what was it? Did tightened government regulations make operating impossible? Was there some kind of security breach? An issue with the TSA granting a virtual monopoly to a private fast track service? Nope! It was something simpler, and more timely. Cue their goodbye email:

Clear to Cease Operations

Dear xxxx xxxx,

At 11:00 p.m. PST today, Clear will cease operations. Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.

After today, Clear lanes will be unavailable.

Sincerely,
Clear Customer Support

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Apparently not enough people were willing to spring for the service, which could cost as much as $199. Looking at the numbers, though, it's clear obvious that Clear never really took off, spreading to just 20 airports and garnering about 150,000 subscribers.

The company hasn't yet announced how they plan to deal with those subscribers—an impatient bunch, I'm guessing—but as far as getting any kind of service refund, this sparingly worded announcement doesn't bode well. [Clear—Thanks, Tom and David]

The man, Steve Bierfeldt, was detained for carrying too much money. Not that this is a crime or anything (it isn't), but it was enough of a phantom infraction for the unnamed TSA official to remove him from line, put him in a windowless room, and interrogate him for an hour.

Enter the iPhone, and one of its many voice recorder apps (keep in mind this happened in March, so no 3.0 recorder just yet). Thanks to the recorder, we can now read about gems like this:

On a recording a TSA agent can be heard berating Bierfeldt. One sample: "You want to play smartass, and I'm not going to play your f**king game."

All that because Bierfeldt, who's in the employ of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, was trying to bring $4,700 in campaign funds onto an airplane. An ACLU lawsuit is pending, which is probably the least surprising part of this entire story. [CNN via BBG]

Apparently the trials at 6 airports have gone so well that the TSA would like to have all passengers "go through the whole-body imager instead of the walk-through metal detector." In other words, everyone who gets on a plane will be seen quasi-naked.

The TSA is quick to remind the public that the technician is "off-site" and unable to associate your grey naked body with your real, grey naked body.

Swapping all metal detectors to whole body scanners should make that 3oz liquid rule a thing of the past, but with each scanner running $100,000 to $170,000 apiece, the upgrade won't exactly be free. And really, I think the TSA should be paying me if they expect to see my naked behind. At least then I'd know the money was worth it. [NYT and Budget Travel and Getty Images]

Seattle-Tacoma airport has a wildlife biologist on staff (and has for the last 30 years) and a team of 20 assistants who take every measure to prevent birds from occupying the airspace around the runway.

At the center of their arsenal is the radar, made by Accipital, which is used to detect any flocks of birds that may be on a collision course with the airport. Using this technology, they can detect the altitude the birds are flying at, and by analyzing behavioral flight patterns, what kind of birds they're dealing with.

If they do detect any birds, the wildlife team will shine lasers (pew pew!) in the eyes of birds to mimic a predator, hopefully causing the bird to fly away.If that isn't enough, the team will ramp up their strategy with a more disruptive solution: explosive shells. What they refer to as "pyrotechnics," the shells are shot into the air and cause a considerable amount noise when they explode (one goes 1200 feet into the air and creates a thunderclap). This generally does the trick in scaring birds away.

And before you get all worked up and start emailing PETA in a panic, none of this does any harm to the birds. [CNN]

It's hard to believe that this extravagant plan is actually more conservative than the original, but prohibitive steel costs nixed an even more bizarre structure with almost no support beams and way more skylights. It's always safe to be pessimistic about these kinds of things, but the target date for completion is 2012. [Yanko]

Our question this evening is this: If you put these plates in one of those new airport friendly backpacks, do they cancel each other out? [Evan Roth via MAKE]

Update: Oh and check out delays for airports around the country. As you can see from the image above, delays of 16 to 45 minutes are hitting flights EVERYWHERE.

The CheckFast series consists of a "Tech Collection" with a mesh-covered removable laptop sleeve for 15.4” laptops and a clamshell “Mini Instant Messenger” that holds an 11” netbook (pictured above). There will also be a "Classic Collection" with a "clamshell portfolio for 15.4” laptops that will lay flat across the X-ray belt during screening. Plus, an “AlwaysOn” sleeve will "securely hug the laptop" and provide a vented opening in the back that makes it possible to use the laptop while it is still in the sleeve.

Breeze through airport security this holiday season with new SOLO® CheckFast™ laptop cases that make traveling easier.

The hectic holiday travel season is fast approaching, and SOLO CheckFast™ laptop cases will make the journey smoother by giving travelers the ability to speed through security without the added hassle of removing laptops from their bags. SOLO’s Tech Collection and Classic Collection will offer various CheckFast™ cases with sleek designs and great value. A few CheckFast™ models that will be available in November at major retailers include; the Tech CheckFast™ “AlwaysOn” Laptop Sleeve, Tech CheckFast™ Mini Instant-Messenger, and the Classic CheckFast™ Laptop Clamshell.

Tech Collection CheckFast™ “AlwaysOn” Sleeve (TCB101 and TCB102)

* “AlwaysOn” feature allows the laptop to be used while in the case.
* Mesh-covered sleeve offered in 2 sizes holds a 15.4” or 17” laptop.
* Vented grip allows for the laptop to breathe while in use.
* Dual functionality protects laptops and acts as a portable workstation.
* Cord pass-through exclusive power cord slots allow you to stay connected.
* $24.99 MSRP

Tech Collection CheckFast™ Netbook Mini Instant-Messenger (TCA511)

* Rear compartment holds 11” netbook.
* Organizer section provides easy access to USB, business cards, and pen.
* 2-section compartments and Digital Asset™ pockets located in the front.
* Cushioned carry handle.
* Removable, adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying.
* Adjustable speed buckle.
* Expandable base design for tabletop stability.
* $69.99 MSRP

Classic Collection CheckFast™ Laptop Clamshell (CLA310)

* See thru padded pocket with mesh window provides easy screening of 15.4” laptop.
* Clamshell design separates laptop from accessories.
* Exterior zippered pockets.
* Dedicated file section.
* Flip-down workstation with pen loops.
* Multiple accessory compartments.
* Padded shoulder strap provides relief from shoulder strain.
* $49.99 MSRP

[Solo]

Even though, as Phil Torrone points out, a seasoned bomb expert could deduce in two seconds the battery pack—which is pretty much like a commercial one, except it's hand-crafted with 28 rechargeables connected by resistors and held together by a silicon-based adhesive—was not a bomb and totally safe, the engineer ultimately gave it up anyway to pass through "after recognizing that the item could be seen by other passengers as a threat." That photo that makes it seem vaguely ghetto bomberrific is probably staged too. (Why is the wire positioned to look like it's connected to the water bottle?)

Uplifting moral of the story: If something even looks vaguely bomblike to the wandering, untrained eye of the sweaty guy munching Ambien in the seat next to you, the TSA will bust it, regardless of its actual potential to cause harm (it is causing terror, after all). BTW, Phil says he hasn't had any problems flying with homemade electronics, but make sure anything you carry that has wires and batteries couldn't be mistaken as bomblike by the lowest common denominator of airline passengers. [TSA via Schneir on Security via MAKE]

According to a study by the Ponemon Institute and Dell, only 30 percent or so lost laptops are ever recovered. Los Angeles' LAX airport reported having the most lost laptops out of any other airport, with 1,200 going missing every week. The most likely place for you to lose your computer is at security checkpoints and departure gates—so no matter how many beers you downed this weekend, try to be a little more alert while going through those areas, yeah? [Newlaunches]

picture credit: Mike Reger