I know that the TSA doesn't make people take iPads out of their bags when going through security. Since the rMBP is made up of more or less the same types of parts (i.e. it has flash instead of an HDD, and no optical drive) do they also let you keep it in your bag or is it the same as all other laptops?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
rMBP and TSA security?
- Thread starter stagmeister
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
TSA is a joke. Ever traveled with a firearm (checked)? Its a nightmare, but completely legal (ammo isn't) and they act like you walk in there and its WW3.
Its a laptop though.
Its a laptop though.
Well, I guess it isn't quite like an iPad. I am just asking if the TSA is in any way reasonable, i.e. why should iPads get to stay in bags but not computers? The rMBP does have all of these elements. But doesn't the iPad also have a huge ass battery? (Indeed, the battery is probably the most dangerous element in any of these electronics, since batteries are combustible.) Either way it goes through the xray machine. I was just asking because I plan to get the rMBP when the Haswell update is available, I was just curious what to expect.
All I can say is, it is what it is. At some point they may treat iPads like laptops, i.e., pull them out.
Its really no big deal, or you can get a TSA approved laptop bag and no need to remove it.
Also depends which airport / country you go through, as well. Things also change as time marches on. I bet tablets get the same treatment soon... either that, or laptops will relax, as they are getting similar.
I have really sweet "checkpoint-friendly" bags for my laptops, and they are perfect in the US/TSA airports in that I don't need to remove it. However, at London Heathrow, for example, it doesn't matter, and any laptop has to be removed from the bag no matter what. Amsterdam doesn't make me take it out, as I recall from a couple months ago.
I have really sweet "checkpoint-friendly" bags for my laptops, and they are perfect in the US/TSA airports in that I don't need to remove it. However, at London Heathrow, for example, it doesn't matter, and any laptop has to be removed from the bag no matter what. Amsterdam doesn't make me take it out, as I recall from a couple months ago.
With a little planning it isn't difficult at all
I travel a lot
A lot
I pull my MBA out and put it in a bin very quickly, leaving my iPad and iPad Mini in my bag
It really is no hassle at all
Wearing a jacket or a belt or shoes that tie is far more of a hassle
Which means, I don't wear those
I travel a lot
A lot
I pull my MBA out and put it in a bin very quickly, leaving my iPad and iPad Mini in my bag
It really is no hassle at all
Wearing a jacket or a belt or shoes that tie is far more of a hassle
Which means, I don't wear those
I don't travel as much as you, but I find it no problem. I whip out my rMBP, put that in the bin then dump everything of my pockets and what not. Its usually pretty quick.
I have a harder time getting my kids to prepare of that then getting my stuff x-rayed
I have a harder time getting my kids to prepare of that then getting my stuff x-rayed
1. The TSA is in no way reasonable. They have their rules and regulations, and if those regulations say that a Laptop must be taken out of the bag, then you have to take it out.
2. They don't scan your laptop to make sure your battery is fine. The main reason you have to take it out is that a laptop is a massive piece of metal and conducting materials, which makes it difficult to scan. They want to make sure that you are not either hiding dangerous materials inside your laptop or using it to hide other malicious goods in your bag.
I hunt all over the Pacific Northwest and throughout the state of Alaska. I've had an issue checking my firearms in one time. And it was an in-state flight! You may have gotten an overzealous agent or crew. Usually they're pretty cool. I go to North Dakota in November every year pheasant hunting and bring a 12 gauge. Montana and Washington state for deer and cats, we transport rifles and handguns as well as bows. In state, we sometimes check a half dozen at once. A mix of hand and long guns. IMHO it's easier to transport guns than it is getting through security yourself
. Now that I've thought about it a bit...possibly it's exactly because of where I live that this isn't an issue. Here, everyone is armed. Everyone carries (in the woods)...& most coming to the state are doing so to hunt and/or fish. Even though we don't 'shoot' fish...all critters in Alaska come in extra large...and Many of them enjoy an easy salmon dinner too
. Always good to have protection regardless of where you're fishing. With a little planning it isn't difficult at all
I travel a lot
A lot
I pull my MBA out and put it in a bin very quickly, leaving my iPad and iPad Mini in my bag
It really is no hassle at all
Wearing a jacket or a belt or shoes that tie is far more of a hassle
Which means, I don't wear those
I'm with ya. I'm on a plane at least three times a month. Sometimes 8-10 (summertime). I actually bought an 11" Air because I thought I'd be exempt in some cases. Doesn't matter. iPad good. Laptop, we need to look. I'm ok with the security. It sounds like a damn fine place to hide electronics if you were a 'bad guy' intent on destruction. I've found the same to be true as you. Don't dress up in a suit (& tie) if unnecessary. Take off shoes, pull the laptop. Bin 'em and roll
Act like you've been there before
J
I know that suits can be a hassle because you need to take off your jacket but in my experience wearing one just makes them take you more seriously. I.e. less hassle.
I wear jeans, no belt, tennis shoes pre-tied and slip on, and a pullover shirt with no jacket or sweater when I fly 2 or 3 times a month around the US
Heading to SEA and LAX the next 2 weeks actually
I have never been hassled or had any trouble of any kind
Just put your stuff in the bin the way they tell you and make sure your pockets are empty (I never carry change)
I put my phone in the bin with my wallet and shoes
MBA goes in a separate bin always
Bag on the roller and go
Easy peasy
The only wait I have is on others who didn't prepare or follow directions
It isn't hard, just remember you are going through security and plan for it
I traveled from SEA to ORD in December for my Uncle's Death/Funereal, with my MPBr, and didn't have an issue. I didn't even have to turn it off, I just kept it in sleep mode all the time. The TSA didn't say boo about it.
TEG
TEG
Pleasant country.I hunt all over the Pacific Northwest and throughout the state of Alaska.
...
Montana and Washington state for deer and cats, we transport rifles and handguns as well as bows. In state, we sometimes check a half dozen at once. A mix of hand and long guns. IMHO it's easier to transport guns than it is getting through security yourself
Good to know.
TSA lets me through with my iPad and MBA.
I have to take out my MBP 17in though.
TSA is a joke but its easy to get through with laptops.
Just throw them out in the security and they'll likely to go through.
Dont put them in other luggages other than carry on.
It can be damaged and even stolen (I had my watches, money, computer stolen) when going into the airplane's luggage compartment.
Again its easy to go through unless you are like me with a registered firearm.
They act like you're some kind of a terrorist.
I have to take out my MBP 17in though.
TSA is a joke but its easy to get through with laptops.
Just throw them out in the security and they'll likely to go through.
Dont put them in other luggages other than carry on.
It can be damaged and even stolen (I had my watches, money, computer stolen) when going into the airplane's luggage compartment.
Again its easy to go through unless you are like me with a registered firearm.
They act like you're some kind of a terrorist.
There are bags with TSA friendly laptop compartments, which let you leave the bag in its own pocket and go through security, I have a T-Pass backback by Tumi (below) with this feature and when traveled earlier this year did not had to remove it from the bag, but raher open the exterior zipper as shown in the second picture.
![photo%25282%2529.jpg]()
![photo%25283%2529.jpg]()
![photo%25284%2529.jpg]()
Last edited:
It's a given that security theater has noting to do with reason. Do what they say whether it makes sense or not if you want to get through with minimum hassle. Whether it makes sense or is based on reason is an entirely different matter. Pick your battle.
If you want the latest info then check the TSA site. Unless they specifically state that the rMBP is exempt from the laptop requirement it's a laptop.
..and don't overlook Google:
http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/04/why-do-laptops-have-to-be-removed-when.html
Last edited:
They couldn't care less if you're in a suit or not. I used to be an airline pilot and I would get just as much crap from them, while in my uniform, as the guy behind me in ripped jeans and a t-shirt. All they do is (try to) follow whatever silly procedures they're told to enforce.
I hate the TSA with a passion. They pretty much hit on all levels a great way to annoy the piss out of you, then they'll do it again, and again.
Yes, I travel every week and they're the biggest idiots that deliberately try and make your day bad. They have no sense of humor either, I try and brighten their awful lives by injecting a little humor into their day, doesn't work well.
Yes, the rMBP is considered a laptop.
![3rtaxc.jpg]()
Yes, I travel every week and they're the biggest idiots that deliberately try and make your day bad. They have no sense of humor either, I try and brighten their awful lives by injecting a little humor into their day, doesn't work well.
Yes, the rMBP is considered a laptop.
I think anything larger than 11.6" and they want you to take it out. I used to have an 11.6" MacBook Air and although technically it could stay inside the bag sometimes they had me take it out.
----------
If you think the TSA is unreasonable, try going through security at Heathrow with an iPad (they make you take them out there) or liquid bag accidentally left inside your luggage. Unlike the TSA, they don't just yell at you, take the offending items out, and rescan. They yell at you, put your bag to the side, and then when they get around to it they remove everything from your bag and search everything.
I travel 2 times a week from SFO to the east coast and I don't feel anything wrong at all. TSA agents are there to do their job and their job is making the airport and YOUR flight more secure. Only the people who travel 1 time a year think 2 minutes of taking out a laptop is a waste of their time. The rest get through security check point without any problems.
The rest get through security check point without any problems.Here's a great bag for dealing with this, the Tom Bihn Cadet. The laptop goes in a sleeve that is attached to runners. You open the bag, slide the sleeve out (which comes out but remains attached), place it on the belt. It comes through then you just slide the sleeve back in. I love mine.
http://www.tombihn.com/laptop_bags/TB0740.html
http://www.tombihn.com/laptop_bags/TB0740.html