Airport security hurt your notebook - Should I take it?

[iNeko]

I've just come back from two weeks in America (going from the UK) nobody touched my Macbook Pro save from me, I too was worried about taking it (it being metal and unable to be scanned for example) - I came across no problems at all with it, although I did however get one MASSIVE shock from it when I was on my return flight which stung for an hour or so after...

 

[OutThere]

Flying domestically in the US nobody has every even touched my laptop. Flying internationally out of France a man gently picked it up with soft white gloves, wiped a little (dry) cotton pad over part of it then gently set it on a padded surface while a machine made sure that there were no traces of explosive chemicals on the pad. No worries, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[powerbook911]

Thanks for all the advice. You guys have made me feel a bit better.

I might try to put it on a sleeve in the tray, or not, if I feel uncomfortable doing that.

Now I'm more worried about it in the overhead bins. ha-ha.

 

[G. I.]

Looks like some people should visit a psychiatrist before travel.

 

[Wolfpup]

Looks like some people should visit a psychiatrist before travel.

What a fantastic post!

 

[joepunk]

They make you take the laptop and put it in a bin without anything else in it.

Didn't happen at the Seattle airport but I did have to do that in Orlando.

Every time we have traveled (to San Francisco, New Orleans, Hartford and Nashville) I have just taken the MB out of its sleeve, put the sleeve in the tub and the MB on top of the sleeve. No problems at all.

Did that at the Seattle Airport and had no problems. But, at the Orlando airport the meany security lady (probably having a bad day) took my PB and sleeve out of the bin and plopped the PB back in the bin. All with a grumpy face at that. I was not happy. She could've have been nicer and said something.

Seriously? Isn't this bordering on over-paranoia? Getting scratched from setting it in the bin and letting it ride 6 feet?

Maybe try setting the sleeve in the bottom of the bin and the computer on top of it. Can't see anyone having a fit over that, but you never know.

watchout for the grumpy security agent, they will have a fit. And yea, don't get worked up over a little scratch that may or may not happen. Those plastic bins don't scratch at all.

 

[powerbook911]

Looks like some people should visit a psychiatrist before travel.

Remind me not to buy your scratched up computer. Just kidding.

I just want to keep my things looking nice.

 

[kolax]

I have gotten away with holding the laptop while taxing and takeoff. But, that depends on the cabin crew as I have also been asked to put it away until in flight. Interesting thing is that you can read a big hardcover book while taxing/taking off/landing, and no one will say anything…but most insist that you “secure” your laptop. My business laptop is a Dell latitude 410 and I have seen books that are bigger and/or weigh more than it.

Without trying to sound like a prick - that is dangerous and inconsiderate. If the plane had to abort takeoff for whatever reason, or hit some bad turbulence right after liftoff (which happens a LOT at Edinburgh Airport since there is 2 bridges that are at right angles to the runway, so on a windy day you can get serious drafts and gusts blowing across the runway), your laptop could fly up in the air and seriously hurt someone.

All it takes is the plane to quickly lose 5-10 feet in height (happens often when experiencing extreme turbulence) and your laptop is away.

I'm sure I'd cry my eyes out as I saw my MBP fly off the desk and come back down and shatter into pieces

 

[robPOD]

I know my Powerbook G4 maybe in ancient in terms of technology, but it's still gorgeous, and I've taken great care of it.

I'm a bit nervous about taking it on an upcoming vacation. I know security makes you place your notebook in a plastic bin to scan it. I'm scared of the bottom getting a scratch or something.

I figure with my iPhone I wouldn't *have* to take my notebook, but it would be nice to have it obviously.

What should I do? How likely would it be to get a scratch at security?

Thanks for your suggestions and experiences.

One Word: WOW

 

[rdowns]

To the OP, try this. And please don't be in line on front of me at the airport on Sunday.

 

[clicq]

In contrast to what other people have been saying, when I took my nearly new Macbook through security, it got scratched up by the bin. The problem? Well, people put their shoes in the bins, so there's a bit of dirt/sand on the bottom, and while going through the machine, the bin gets jostled a bit... so you have a shiny Macbook sliding along a dirty surface = scratches!

But since it doesn't seem to have happened to anybody else, maybe I was just unlucky (or the person with the bin before me had really dirty shoes?)

 

[dontwalkhand]

Airport security is the least of your problems when it comes to laptops, I would be more afraid of laptop theft from the conveyer!

 

[iToaster]

To the OP, try this. And please don't be in line on front of me at the airport on Sunday.

Is that for bus tickets? Last time I checked busses didn't travel at 600 Mph. Anyway, all I had to do the last time I was in the airport was put my MBP in the tray and let it roll on through (does aluminum block x-rays?), besides, a little scratch or twenty won't kill you. My bag's got enough junk in it to pad the MBP enough under the seat, so I'm fine there. The worst thing to happen was my dad and I were going through the airport security when they detected trace amounts of fertilizer on his backpack (he does a little gardening, and fertilizer is some sort of explosive nitrogen-and-whatsawhocares), that was fun...