Flying with a laptop - what to expect?

[Jenelle]

I am heading over the States for a month and will be taking my Mac with me for the first time.

I will also have a spare battery in my carryon.

What can I expect when going through security etc? Just want to be prepared...


Thanks!

 

[simongr]

Just take it out whilst in the queue and put it in the tray - laptops, not an issue.

 

[SeaWolf]

The only catch I've really found is that if you stand there after security stuffing your laptop back into its bag/pack you're more likely to get 'randomly' selected for bomb sniffing.

 

[littl_flier]

No problems Security wise, you'll just need to pick it out for it to be xrayed separately, the same as if you were in Australia.

Just make sure someone else doesn't pick up your laptop by mistake. At LAX, the person in front of me picked up my laptop and went to walk off before I realised that I had hers and she had mine. The only thing that made me realise was the slightly different model and casing. She had the IBM T60 and I had the IBM T43. Getting to LHR with the wrong laptop would have been a problem. :shock:

Then again, it's important just to remember to pick the laptop up in the first place. aka Simongr.

The only catch I've really found is that if you stand there after security stuffing your laptop back into its bag/pack you're more likely to get 'randomly' selected for bomb sniffing.

You could try a KiwiFlyer here and fumble around until the next victim is selected. Works 80% of the time.

 

[chrisb]

What can I expect when going through security etc? Just want to be prepared...

I suggest you get a label printer and put your Name, Phone number and FF number on the bottom of it so you can easily verify that it is yours.

It's probably less of an for a Mac issue, but you tend to get queues of IBM T series and HP laptops at security sometimes...

Chrisb.

 

[simongr]

Then again, it's important just to remember to pick the laptop up in the first place. aka Simongr.

Now that wasnt called for...

 

[moa999]

If flying J remember where the laptop is before putting the seat to flat.
My boss had a laptop destroyed by a QF Skybed

 

[mzy]

...and if travelling Y the chances are very slim of being able to use your laptop once the person in front of you puts their seat back. Try and ask for an exit row or a bulkhead.

 

[serfty]

... Try and ask for an exit row or a bulkhead.

... and use the 400 Hz power supply near the exit at your own risk ...

 

[QueenCaroline]

I saw a woman on the New Inventors a while ago who had made a clear, perspex laptop case. It looked bulky but it did eliminate the risk of dropping the laptop because you don't have to get it out to put it in the tray.

 

[SeaWolf]

I have one of those SKM skins made of wetsuits material for my laptop and I generally just hop it out of my backpack and into the tray. I've never been asked to remove it from the skin.

 

[drron]

Also just ask if you have to take the lap top out.I always asked and did not have to take it out at DEN,JFK,MAD,FCO,BKK but did at LAX,ATL,SIN.
By the way I was picking up my new home machine on monday when a flyer caught my eye.A problem with airport security for some Optima Centrino models.apparently on Xray the heat sink looks just like a handgun.Maybe one time you do just want to walk away and leave your machine.

 

[Commuter]

I have one of those SKM skins made of wetsuits material for my laptop and I generally just hop it out of my backpack and into the tray. I've never been asked to remove it from the skin.

Same here. I have never had to take it out of the neoprane sleeve.

 

[Jenelle]

Thanks so much for all of your advice!

I have a Neoprene skin on mine (how fantastic are they!) so I will try that.

Much appreciated!!

I never thought about the seat in front actually reclining

 

[Evan]

If flying Y you can just about forget using a notebook, unless its very small or your bulkhead row. Then again any company that flys me economy does not deserve my time working !
There is a reason they call it business class, well for some people anyway.
E