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View Full Version : Checking a 24" iMac as luggage on airplane



DeborahRiskTobi
Jul 23, 2009, 02:29 PM
Hi there,

After obsessing about this all day and reading all through the archives on the subject, I have decided to buy a 24" iMac in the US and bring it to Israel with me by checking it on a plane. I am not looking for opinions about whether this is wise to do or all the many issues involved.

I simply would like to hear from people who have actually already transported this size iMac in the luggage compartment of a plane and any pointers on why you think it was successful or unsuccessful as the case may be. I think I will feel more secure about it if I know more about what people have actually experienced.

It would be helpful especially if anyone can tell me the exact dimensions of the 2 boxes that this iMac arrives in from the Apple on-line store, as I want to try to find a suitcase large enough to pack it into.

Thank you so much for any help you can give.
Deborah


thegoldenmackid
Jul 23, 2009, 02:31 PM
The general consensus as absolutely not.
Hellhammer
Jul 23, 2009, 02:36 PM
I would call to flight company and ask how do the deal with these kinda luggage. Also, some company's have special luggage option for golf bags etc, iMac would go to that category
geoffreak
Jul 23, 2009, 03:04 PM
The general consensus as absolutely not.
Agreed. Ship it instead. Checking it is almost a guarantee that it will get broken/stolen.
Ooz
Jul 23, 2009, 03:20 PM
Hi there,

It would be helpful especially if anyone can tell me the exact dimensions of the 2 boxes that this iMac arrives in from the Apple on-line store, as I want to try to find a suitcase large enough to pack it into.

Deborah

What 2 boxes? My 24" came in ONE ginormous box.
davidjearly
Jul 23, 2009, 03:44 PM
What 2 boxes? My 24" came in ONE ginormous box.

Which was enclosed inside a brown shipping box, right? ;)
yoak
Jul 23, 2009, 04:10 PM
Iīve sent my MP 2,8 eight core on a return flight, including one change of planes.
No problem at all. The airline told me the MP would not be handled any better if it was shipped (as long as itīs marked "fragile"
jjxc90
Jul 23, 2009, 06:20 PM
I remember I was flying once and there was kid who 'carried-on' an old PC tower. As he de-boarded the pilot made a little jab at him and said "You know they make laptops now right?" Made me smile. :)

Anyways, I wouldn't check it....but if you do, make sure you declare it's value to the airline. If you don't, and damage/loss does occur, the airline's liability is limited to something like $150.
yoak
Jul 24, 2009, 08:05 AM
I have to admit we were very worried if it would work when we started it up though
Gav2k
Jul 24, 2009, 08:11 AM
Ask if u can put it in the hold with the buggies. This is what my brother did last year. He carried it all the way to the plane then they put it onthe side. At the other end he had to wait at the side to collect it.
J&JPolangin
Jul 24, 2009, 08:26 AM
...with the extra luggage expense for the over sized item, how much money will you really save?

...then what if it gets broken during the transit?...
chrisbb
Jul 24, 2009, 08:39 AM
It is possible, although not sure how to do it.
i've had a family friend bring back an older imac from the US into Canada via plane. they had no trouble at all.

i'd ship it viz UPS though, insurance would cover most accidents if it were to happen!?
Tom Dahl
Jul 24, 2009, 09:48 AM
>It would be helpful especially if anyone can tell me the exact dimensions
>of the 2 boxes that this iMac arrives in from the Apple on-line store, as I
>want to try to find a suitcase large enough to pack it into.

10 inches thick, 27 inches wide, 24 inches high.
caonimadebi
Jul 24, 2009, 10:10 AM
the best advice would be that you arrive 3 hours prior to your planned arrival at the airport for check in, in the likely case that the airline staff will not allow such a large box on board, and you have to find a carrier or to bring it home. the 24" iMac exceeds both the physical dimensions, and the sheer weight limits of what you can carry onboard.
have you ever made an international flight?
zmttoxics
Jul 24, 2009, 01:43 PM
Ship it.
phoobo
Jul 24, 2009, 11:15 PM
Hi Deborah,

I did this very thing from New York to Budapest (non-stop) and it worked out fine. I left the 24" imac in its original box -- unopened in fact -- and just put it right into a ginormous $15 soft suitcase (the kind they sell on the street in various spots all over town - upper Broadway for example). Fits perfectly.

Don't recall being charged for oversize. You can definitely get the whole thing into a widely-available suitcase size.

Arrived, no damage.