iPad Unopened new Ipad through airport security?

I would think they let it go through. They don't even make you take an iPad out of your luggage for inspection the way they do a laptop. I don't see why the cardboard packaging would be any harder to scan through than a briefcase / computer bag...

I think the odds are pretty good that they'll want to see the iPad and thus have you open the box.

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Panch0 said:

I would think they let it go through. They don't even make you take an iPad out of your luggage for inspection the way they do a laptop. I don't see why the cardboard packaging would be any harder to scan through than a briefcase / computer bag...

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I think the difference there is that the iPad is not in the box.

I've been in the airport a number of times and I've always needed to pull out my iPad, MBP and cameras for the TSA, so I see no difference in doing that for an iPad in a box

speekez said:

Hi all

Ok....

I have a yet-to-be ipad 4 still plastic wrapped in the box that I am taking with me on holiday. If I take this through airport security, do you suspect they'll make me remove the clear plastic and open box the unit, or most likely they will just let it go through seeing it is gift season?

Thoughts?

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Always have your iPad in sight of you when near someone from the TSA because alot of them will steal it. No joking.

I don't think you can be certain one way or the other. Since TSA does not typically require iPads to be removed from bags for screening, chances are that you could probably just leave it in the box inside your suitcase and it will pass right through without a word. On the x-ray screen, they probably can't even tell whether the box is shrinkwrapped or not. But in any case, you should be prepared to open the box if asked.

They will not make you unwrap them. I brought 2 sealed iPads overseas before and had no issue. The did make us take them out of the backpack and rescan because they were stacked in the bag and they couldn't scan them.

They should not need to remove it unless the X-ray operator calls for a baggage inspection, and that person explicitly asks to have it opened. To avoid this from occurring, try not to place any other electronic or highly dense (lumps of clay) items above or below it. They are expected to call for baggage inspection when they cannot decipher the contents as something not potentially dangerous. I assure you that they have seen many iPads in bags with the charger on top, so there really isn't anything too confusing about a boxed ipad. Again it's more about the surrounding clutter that may cause doubt.

All you experts are talking out of your... There is no "they will" or "they won't". There is only "they might" or they might not". It depends on who is manning the line, what airport, etc. It's purely luck of the draw.

I have yet to be asked to take my iPad out of the case or even out of the bag I carried it in. Heck I've flown on a flight with a pocket knife I forgot to leave at home.

maflynn said:

I think the odds are pretty good that they'll want to see the iPad and thus have you open the box.

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I think the difference there is that the iPad is not in the box.

I've been in the airport a number of times and I've always needed to pull out my iPad, MBP and cameras for the TSA, so I see no difference in doing that for an iPad in a box

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The MBA doesn't even need to be pulled out of your bag due to how thin it is, I see no difference with an iPad. I never pull mine out.

OP, just call the airport you're going through.

dinggus said:

The MBA doesn't even need to be pulled out of your bag due to how thin it is, I see no difference with an iPad. I never pull mine out.

OP, just call the airport you're going through.

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It depends who is working the line. I got to take out my 11in MBA. Not gonna argue since I like having my freedom. Plus I'm brown skin

The OP has had their question resolved by the TSA themselves... However, for anyone in the future who is reading this thread, just keep in mind that policies can change - overnight. That different airports will have different procedures. That for any reason at all you may be asked to show your device to a screener. Or not.