You've Just Made Your Flight, But Where The Heck Is Your Laptop?

You're not alone. Research gathered from 106 airports across the country found that business travelers lose 12,255 laptops per week at U.S. airports, translating into 637,260 per year, according to a new study from The Ponemon Institute and Dell.

The majority of laptops are left behind at security checkpointsand#8212;40 percentand#8212;followed by 23 percent that are left behind at departure gates. Nine percent of laptops are forgotten in restrooms; 7 percent in food service areas; 6 percent in lounges; 6 percent in the transport system; 4 percent in airport stores; and 4 percent at ticket counters.

"So many computer laptop carriers look alike today, and in time crunches people can grab the wrong bag," said Mike Spinney, a spokesman at The Ponemon Institute.

In fact, more than 70 percent of business travelers said they feel rushed when they're trying to make their flights and 60 percent worry that long waits at security checkpoints will cause them to miss their flight. In addition, 69 percent of those surveyed said they misplace laptops because they are carrying too many items.

According to the study, airports with the highest number of lost, missing or stolen laptops are, in order: LAX (Los Angeles); MIA (Miami); JFK (N.Y.); O'Hare (Chicago); Newark (N.J.); La Guardia (N.Y.); Detroit Metro Wayne County; Ronald Reagan (D.C.); Atlanta International; and Dulles (D.C.).

The recovery rate for laptops lost in airports is sobering: The study found that only 33 percent of lost and found laptops are reclaimed. The other 67 percent of subsequently found laptops remain in the airports until they are, gulp, disposed of.

Perhaps what's even more worrisome is that 53 percent of business travelers said their laptops contain confidential or sensitive information, but of that number, 65 percent admit that they don't take steps to protect or secure that information. And in these days of heightened security, an astounding 50 percent said they have asked fellow passengers to watch their luggage and laptops briefly.

The type of company information contained on these laptops include client or consumer data (47 percent); confidential business information (46 percent); intellectual property, such as software codes, drawings and renderings (14 percent); and employee records (13 percent).

In addition, the 34 percent of business travelers who do take steps to protect laptop information said they don't know how the information is protected.

But help is on the way for the forgetful business traveler: according to USA Today, the Transportation Security Administration is expected to relax requirements to remove laptops from their cases, possibly as early as next month. The easement will be geared at laptops stored in cases that are constructed to provide clear X-ray images.

Pathfinder Luggage, Tustin, Calif., is testing two prototypes of its "Checkpoint Friendly" laptop cases through X-ray machines nationally and internationally.

The company said that to ensure the view of the laptop is clear when passing through the X-ray machine, specifications include no cords, pens or any obstructions in the pocket in which the laptop is placed. The company said the TSA will begin training its staff in the next few months to accept the Checkpoint Friendly laptop bags.

A spokesperson for Pathfinder Luggage said the bags will run $49.99 and up. In addition, because of the publicity buzz, the company is receiving a lot of preorders and has just added a prototype of a backpack to the line.