Check out this travel gadget article from the New York Times.

Ugh. Love you NYT, but your gadget writing abilities on a few subjects are sorely lacking. Let me give you a little perspective here...

1. Don't ever pay attention to any so-called "National TSA" rules. Each and every TSA employee interprets things differently. Every time I fly via EWR or JFK they make me take my iPad out even... though its "national TSA policy" that an iPad is not required to be taken out of luggage. "National TSA policy" does not apply to NYC-area airports. Believe me!

2. Take a look at those bulky, monster-sized headphones. You wanna carry those backpacking through Europe? Anyone that carries noise-canceling headphones is wasting their time... and luggage space!

Apple's $79 earplug earbuds cut outside noise by 80% (my own estimate). These earplug earbuds weigh .4 ounces! That's right, less than HALF AN OUNCE. Remember these are ear *plugs* that have speakers inside. When properly inserted you can't hear a dang thing other than the music, movie, or audiobook. Apple generously includes not one, not two, but three different earbuds in one package, and also includes replacement metal meshes for you heavy earwax people (yuk!)