airport security and notebook

[k3nnis]

Hi guys.

I was wondering if anyone here have recently travel overseas with their notebook computers. Just want to find out whats the procedure at the customs checkpoint at airports? What do they require you to do, or show them on your notebook? Take out batteries etc?

Is it a big hassle bringing a notebook computer with you to overseas?

Cheers.
Kenn.

[DavidNZ]

I'm almost certain that I've never been asked to turn mine on in the past few years, at least since 9/11. Living in New Zealand, I tend to travel quite a bit (UK, North America, Australia) - all I'm usually asked to do is take it out of the bag so they can 'sight it'.

These days, my habit is to rock up to the security gate with it already out of my bag. A few months ago, in Montreal, they swabbed the keys for (I'm guessing) drug residue.

[ldbobby]

Well, I went over to Canada in August. All you have to do is just put your laptop in one of those bins they have for your items and just let it go through the scanner. If it's in a case, you'll have to take it out of the case. Other then that, the laptop stays fully intact, battery and all.

[k3nnis]

Hi Guys.

Thanks for the replies. So it doesn't seem too bad afterall. Just hope by putting our notebooks in the containers it don't get scratched:)

Cheers.
Kenn.

[JHEM]

Thanks for the replies. So it doesn't seem too bad afterall. Just hope by putting our notebooks in the containers it don't get scratched:)

It's far less likely to get scratched riding in the bin than on its own.

I just returned Wednesday night from overseas and all that is necessary is to take the laptop out of its case and send it through the x-ray machine.

Regards,

James

[DavidNZ]

And whatever you do, don't take your eyes off of it. When those security lines get quite busy, it can be very easy to lose track of your stuff (i.e., it can get scanned sometimes half a minute before you have even walked through the sensor yourself).

I once got a scolding from a US TSA agent at LAX because I waited until the guy before me had finished being wanded. This agent, who was the one who helped you (i.e., instructed you) put your stuff on the belt, kept say "Come on, sir - place your personal items on the belt, please". I said, twice no less, "I'd prefer to wait, thanks, until that fellow is finished so I can keep an eye on my rather expensive computer equipment." She didn't say no, but did roll her eyes at her colleague.

Gee, a TSA agent thinks less of me. Whatever will I do?

David

[hausman]

These days, my habit is to rock up to the security gate with it already out of my bag. A few months ago, in Montreal, they swabbed the keys for (I'm guessing) drug residue.

I live in Toronto and usually take my notebook when I fly out of Pearson (YYZ.) Special scrutiny has varied from none (i.e. just put notebook, case and all, through X-ray), to either take it out and demonstrate that it will power-on/boot or allow security to swab down the keyboard.

BTW the swabbing is intended to look for explosives residue, not drugs.

[DavidNZ]

You're right - explosive residue. Guess I was fretting for no reason!

*kidding*

[dr.b]

I fly once a week and most times my tp is scanned in standyby mode.., with no prob.

[JHEM]

I fly once a week and most times my tp is scanned in standyby mode.., with no prob.

I have been long intriqued by your location info "Location: 70% southgermany 30% stockholm".

Sud Bayern? Nurnberg? Munchen? Etc.?

If you've answered this before, I apologize for asking again.

Regards,

James

[dr.b]

a bit south of Ulm... in Baden Württemberg, but only 1 minute from Bayern away
http://www.tourismus.ulm.de/upload/unt_ ... rNacht.jpg

[k3nnis]

Hi dr.b

How come you travel so much?:) I wish i can do that heh. I am lucky to travel once a year:P

By the way when you guys travel overseas with the notebook computer, do you carry it with you at all times while on the plane or you put it in the baggage compartment on top of the passenger seat? Just curious.

Cheers.
Kenn.

[JHEM]

When I'm not actually using my Thinkpad it will often be in the overhead bin during flights or on the seat next to me if there's one available.

During landings and takeoffs it will usually be under the seat in front of me to prevent it being crushed by the items in the overhead bin shifting fore and aft.

Regards,

James

[k3nnis]

thanks jhem for the info:) Yeah i think the overhead compartment is kinda rough during landings and taking off for the thinkpad.

Cheers.
Kenn.

[Rob Mayercik]

And whatever you do, don't take your eyes off of it. When those security lines get quite busy, it can be very easy to lose track of your stuff (i.e., it can get scanned sometimes half a minute before you have even walked through the sensor yourself).

Something that will help you track it is to affix a business card (or similarly distinctive thing) to the computer itself so it's easier to distinguish from others that look nearly the same.

I taped business cards to the top and bottom of mine - it's not a business machine (it's my personal one), but it makes it easy to spot, and it doesn't have my home address/phone number emblazoned for all the world to see/steal.

Also, I don't put my stuff into the bin until I'm about to step through the detector. If I get a bin before that, I don't put it on the belt until I am about to step through.

Rob

[dr.b]

Hi dr.b

How come you travel so much?:) I wish i can do that heh. I am lucky to travel once a year:P

Why do men such things....there is only one reason

no, in fact now two reasons

[scillyisles]

I travel quite a lot with my Thinkpad and I'm intrigued as to the logic of taking the laptop out of the case (which always happens in the States but I've never had to do it in the UK when departing)
I've been asked to switch on my laptop once (at SFO a couple of years ago) but I doubt your average TSA agent would know what to do with a laptop or could detect whether the start up dialogue was valid for a laptop.

[JHEM]

I travel quite a lot with my Thinkpad and I'm intrigued as to the logic of taking the laptop out of the case

They want a "clear" view of the machine in the x-ray device, not one obscured by all of the other stuff we carry around in our laptop bags.

Regards,

James

[hausman]

They want a "clear" view of the machine in the x-ray device, not one obscured by all of the other stuff we carry around in our laptop bags.

Not to mention that they also get to peek at the rest of the stuff in your bag, unobstructed by the Thinkpad, like the small screwdriver I had in mine that they confiscated at ORD because "it could be used as a shiv." (The replacement screwdriver is identical, but now it's mixed in with a bunch of pens so they're going need really good eyes to spot it )

[JHEM]

The replacement screwdriver is identical, but now it's mixed in with a bunch of pens so they're going need really good eyes to spot it.

My answer to that problem, unfortunately after losing several good drivers, was to replace everything with a magnetic holder with separate tips. Seems to be acceptable, at least so far, or until it dawns on them that the tips and driver go together!

They don't seem to care about mini-screwdriver sets.

Regards,

James