Laptop screening - battery removal?

[tuapekastar]

Off to NZ shortly, and never travelled with my laptop before, but considering taking it on this trip, which will involve departures from MEL (Int), AKL (Dom and Int), and CHC (Dom).

The Qantas website states (bolding mine):

At Australian international and domestic terminals laptop computers will be subject to an additional security check. Before x-raying, the laptop computer must be removed from its carry case and the battery removed from the laptop. All items will then be x-rayed separately. If the screener is unable to satisfy that the computer does not contain a weapon or explosive device, it is to be subjected to trace detection.
In terms of carry on baggage allowance, laptop computers and small video camera units constitute one carry on bag equivalent.

The MEL website states:

Laptop computers must be removed from bags at the security point and screened separately. Electronic equipment will not be damaged by x-ray screening.

i.e. no reference to having to remove the battery.

What is the process, and is it similar for all airports on the trip?

Thanks.

PS. As an aside, I was hoping to do the trip carry-on only, but QF's website says a laptop = a carry-on, and only one allowed on International flights if flying Y (which I am). So I guess for me the laptop is the carry-on, and I'll have to check a case (I can carry camera, paperwork and bits and pieces in the laptop bag). TBH, even if I was carry-on only, I would almost certainly exceed the 7kg weight limit, and by a fair amount too, which has its risks, given the existence of the person that apparently lurks just inside the international departures pax-only area at MEL weighing carry-ons (I'm sure I've never encountered him/her in the past but with my luck...).

 

[serfty]

I have never had an issue ex Oz taking my lap top (personal item) and a rollaboard as carry on when in coach class. Although I do travel light.

As for NZ, I have not had to remove a battery for screening as yet.

 

[thegurio]

Ive never heard of having to remove a battery to get the laptop screened... But then again i do travel mostly domestically. That is in SYD, MEL, BNE, HBA and ADL. When we went to FCO last time i never had to remove it then either.

 

[dot]

Way way back, you used to have to remove the laptop battery for screening - well before 11/9. It hasn't been that way for a long time - I suspect the QF site content just hasn't been updated since then (although the look and feel has).

I wouldn't worry about the battery thing - they wont ask you to remove it when looking at your laptop unless they see something suspect on the X-Ray.

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks, as ever, for the prompt and informative replies.

Seems like I have no cause for concern when it comes to battery removal, and will see if I can manage carry-on only.

 

[moa999]

I have also recently had success in putting my Dell9 onto the xray in its neoprone skin casing
(consistent with US TSA rules which now allow certain laptop bags to be used)

 

[straitman]

I could/would be severely embarrassed if they ever asked me to remove the battery from my laptop :!:

 

[simongr]

It was a post 9/11 thing for a long time. I think due to the heavy metals in the battery it was possible to obscure concealed weapons of mass destruction - or at least tell the public that was why you were doing it rather than invest in real anti-terror measures but still being able to pontificate on the TV that you waging a war on terror...

Forgive me - I am sick to death of these security measures that are so often designed simply to placate non-travellers or infrequent travellers.

How many people have died in the air or at the airport in the past 10 years as a result of "terror activity" in Australia? Just the one and he was beaten to death with a divider rope pole yesterday...

 

[Zoom]

On a recent trip to Italy (May 2008 actually, so not too recent I suppose) I didn't have to remove the battery but did have to show the security screeners that the laptap would start up. As soon as the Windows screen came up I was waved through. Never had this happen in any other airport in Europe, Asia or the US before. Maybe my bright yellow Dell looked a bit suspicious

 

[Evan]

I could/would be severely embarrassed if they ever asked me to remove the battery from my laptop :!:

See i knew somebody would come up with something like that

 

[SeaWolf]

I've never had to remove the battery from mine or had to remove it from its 'case'. I have a skin made of wetsuit-like material for it that has pouches where I usually have headphones, cables and the plug pack. I then put the whole thing in my backpack. When I come to security I pull it out (still in its skin) and put it straight onto the belt. I've never been questioned about doing this and simply pick it up on the other side of the machine and drop it straight back in my backpack.
So there is some flexibility even in the case rule.

 

[straitman]

I could/would be severely embarrassed if they ever asked me to remove the battery from my laptop :!:

See i knew somebody would come up with something like that

Now having looked at the laptop they would have to provide a very fine screwdriver in order to assist me with the removal. I can't carry one as it would be seen as a security risk :!:

 

[JohnK]

I could/would be severely embarrassed if they ever asked me to remove the battery from my laptop :!:

Does a laptop have a battery?

 

[serfty]

Does a laptop have a battery?

At least 2; some are more easily removed than others.

I remember an Win95 Laptop I used to carry around with me, the batteries were easy to swap as they would only last ~1 hour. The 600gm spare battery would (temporarily) travel in my pocket to reduce carry on weight.

 

[simongr]

Now having looked at the laptop they would have to provide a very fine screwdriver in order to assist me with the removal. I can't carry one as it would be seen as a security risk :!:

You are permitted one screwdriver.

 

[Flashback]

You are permitted one screwdriver.

It must be a very, very small one then e.g. the type you would use for fixing a pair of glasses. I have never been able to successfully get a screwdriver through security.

 

[NM]

You are permitted one screwdriver.

until they run out of orange juice, then you need to find a different drink to order

 

[thegurio]

Now having looked at the laptop they would have to provide a very fine screwdriver in order to assist me with the removal. I can't carry one as it would be seen as a security risk :!:

This has certainly got my interest now - what brand is it?

 

[Flashback]

This has certainly got my interest now - what brand is it?

Possibly a Macbook?

 

[simongr]

Some of the new aluminium body macbooks can't remove the battery at all...

Re the screwdriver - yes you are correct it needs to be that size as I used to carry a flat head and philips mini screwdrivers until one got taken off me and I whinged about here...