What do you have to go through to take a laptop on a plane?

Question

I'm flying to Vegas out of Atlanta (short layover in Chicago) and I wanted to take my laptop to have out there. I haven't flown with one before. Is it a lot more of a hassle? What do they do?

Answer 1

while all the answers above are good, one more thing you want to think of. make sure you bring a standard sized laptop bag so that it will fit under the seat in front of you while still providing you with some foot room. about 8 inches high is the max. don't put it in the overhead bin since stuff shifts around during takeoff and landing and it could be damaged, not covered by the airline.

also, some airlines, american airlines for sure, has dc power outlets in select rows of coach. just bring a compact inverter, you can get a hand held one at wal mart for 25 bucks. it turns dc to ac. that way you don't kill your battery on the flight. i always need my laptop once on the ground so it's a good thing to have.

lastly, since you are going to vegas, give me a call when you run out of money and i'll buy your laptop for 1/10th the value so you can get back to that "hot" slot machine or table.

Answer 2

Just make sure you have your laptop out of the bag and in the bin before you approach the scanner. The TSA screeners will be yelling this to you anyway. Just be organized enough to have everything ready as you get to security. Flying with a laptop is no big deal. Ive seen people with 2 or 3 laptops and they are the ones that have the real trouble. Just NEVER NEVER NEVER check a laptop. For one, you arent allowed to. Two, if you do and it gets damaged, the airlines do not take responsibility for any damage. In smaller cities they will call you back to the ticket counter and have you removed it. Everywhere else, you are basically on your own and if it gets broken, oh well. If you ever do check a laptop you will have to sign a limited release saying you do not hold the airline at fault should any damage occur.

Vegas was the last city I worked at when I was working for an airline. Just make sure that when you are checking in on your return to allow plenty of time. Cut offs are 45 min before flight time (not arriving at the airport, but checked in boarding pass in hand), and security can back up so bad that you may not have enough time if you are cutting it close. Unless you are flying Southwest or America West the other airlines terminal is 1 mile away from the main terminal and you have to take a tram.

Good luck, enjoy your flight and Viva Las Vegas!!

Answer 3

I fly about 5-8 times a year, and bring my laptop with me all the time. Overall, it's not a hassle, it just requires a few extra steps and some planning. The convenience of having your own computer with you outweighs any of the minor inconveniences.

Back up any critical data on the laptop before leaving home. Although I've never had one damaged while travelling, there's always the possibility of accidents or theft.

Since the laptop has to be out of the bag & in its own tray to be X-rayed, get a bag where it's easy to get the laptop out and put it back in quickly. I recommend one with wheels, since it can get tiring lugging the laptop bag through the airports. Most of these come with an inner sleeve for the laptop; you should always get a bag with a sleeve even if you don't get one with wheels. This way the laptop is protected by 2 layers; the suitcase itself, and the padded inner sleeve.

I usually put the bag in the overhead, and I've never had the laptop damaged at all. They're pretty durable unless you actually drop them when they're not in the case. If you plan to use the laptop during flight, then get a bag that will fit under the seat in front of you. It's a lot easier to pull it out in flight and get the machine & accessories out of the bag than having to go out to the aisle and get it from the overhead.

Make sure your battery is charged. Once in a while they pull you out of the line for a special check. They run a "sniffer" over your laptop, and/or have you turn it on. This is to ensure that it's really a computer, and isn't stuffed with explosives. If it's not charged, you'll have an additional hassle getting out the adapter or spare battery, connecting it, etc.

Always use "Turn off the Computer" and not "Standby" or "Hibernate" when packing the computer before leaving home, again if they make you turn it on for a security check, and finally when shutting it down on the plane prior to landing. Although Hibernate is close to shutting the machine off, it's always safest to transport a computer that's completely off. Note that pressing the power button on many laptops just puts them in Standby or Hibernate; make sure you go through the full Turn Off.

Keep an eye on your laptop as you go through the security checkpoint! There have been reports of thieves grabbing people's laptops right out of the security baskets and making off with them. You'd think an airport would be a real stupid place to do this, but they try it anyway. I don't think it's very widespread, but don't take any chances. Even if the security people want to wand you, or check your shoes, make it clear that you're not just going to leave your laptop sitting there unattended. I've never had a problem with TSA when doing this. They'll either let me collect it first, or have a guy watch it for me.

On a non-laptop related note, take at least a days change of clothes with you in your carry on. I've had my checked luggage misdirected several times, and it's a bummer to arrive at your destination with no clean underwear or socks. The airline can usually get your luggage back to you by the next day, unless something really went wrong. Many credit cards have a built-in or low cost lost luggage insurance if you book the flight with the card. They will pay up to an amount like $500 if your bags are delayed more than a few hours. Once, my mom got a nice shopping spree at Macy's when her bags didn't show up until the next day.

Finally, have fun, and remember: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Answer 4

The only thing different is that you have to remove it from the bag. It is fine, unless you have a lot of things in your pockets to removed, shoes that are hard to get off, cameras, etc. It will really slow you down and people in the line can get agitated. But the laptop has to go through completely separate so they scan it properly. Just try to beat the laptop through the process to make sure no one walks off with your things. If you have two people, it will make things alot easier.

Answer 5

No its not bad, I've done it many times.

You just need to take it out of the case (if you have a case) and put it in the plastic bin that goes through the metal detector. I HIGHLY recommend that you do this while waiting in the security line. You don't want to be "that" person who holds everyone up while taking the laptop out.

They haven't asked me to turn mine on ever but they say that they might. Make sure your battery is charged just in case!

Answer 6

Just make sure to take your laptop out of the carrying case when going trough XRay and put it in a separated tray.

They make random searches before boarding, if you are selected you'll have to turn it on and then shut it off, I don't know why, maybe they think it would explode when turning it on.

Answer 7

Only thing special is that when you get to the security screening at the airport you'll have to take your laptop out of your bag and have it x-ray'd separately.

No big deal...you'll notice that EVERYONE in front of you and behind you is doing exactly the same thing.

Advice: wear shoes that slip on and off easily

Answer 8

It is really no hassle at all. We flew in January from Columbus, Ohio to Orlando. We just had to pass it through like a piece of carry-on and it took no longer than any of our other pieces. Hope this helps.