WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Security Administration is moving closer to easing one of the biggest post-9/11 security hassles: making airline travelers take laptops out of cases at airport checkpoints.

A policy likely to take effect in a few months would allow passengers to put certain types of cases through airport X-ray machines with laptops inside, TSA Administrator Kip Hawley told USA TODAY.

Manufacturers such as Targus and Skooba Design are designing new "checkpoint-friendly" cases, which passengers would have to buy if they want to take advantage of the new TSA policy. Travelers could still use old cases but would have to continue removing laptops at checkpoints.

The TSA is testing prototypes of new laptop cases that would let airport screeners see a laptop clearly and not block or clutter an X-ray image with thick padding, straps or electronics.

"This is very doable, and we'll be in a position in a couple of months to say people who show up with these types of laptop cases will be able to put them though X-ray machines," Hawley said. Laptops now must be removed so screeners can see whether they are concealing bombs or weapons.

"This could be huge," said Michael Hess, CEO of Skooba, of Rochester, N.Y. "Anything that speeds up the process and reduces the burden on travelers and screeners will improve the deteriorating travel situation."