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New, never-opened MacBook box and airport security

ravenvii

ravenvii

macrumors 604
Original poster
Mar 17, 2004
7,585
494
Melenkurion Skyweir
I just bought a MacBook at a local shop for an incredible deal (it's the previous generation) for my girlfriend's sister. I'm bringing it with me next week when I fly to see her for thanksgiving.

But I'm concerned about the box and airport security. Normally you have to take your laptop out before going through the security checkpoint. But since it's brand new, never opened, I don't want to open it before handing it over. Will that be a problem? Any tips or advice?

Thank you in advance!
 
I'd say it's hit or miss depending on the security agent that searches you. I've heard of people being asked to open boxes at security, but I've also heard of people scooting right through, no questions asked.

Bring the receipt with you to show them at security.

And leave the hotdog vest at home. ;)
 
Surely said:
I'd say it's hit or miss depending on the security agent that searches you. I've heard of people being asked to open boxes at security, but I've also heard of people scooting right through, no questions asked.

Bring the receipt with you to show them at security.

And leave the hotdog vest at home. ;)
Click to expand...

****, I lost the receipt. Will they give me another one if I go back?
 
ravenvii said:
.....But I'm concerned about the box and airport security. Normally you have to take your laptop out before going through the security checkpoint. But since it's brand new, never opened, I don't want to open it before handing it over. Will that be a problem? Any tips or advice?....
Click to expand...

assuming there's a security reason for making people take their laptops out of their luggage, then you should expect to be asked to do the same, otherwise, what's the point of checking them in the first place? There's an outside chance that if you just put the box on the belt for the xray machine, they might let it slip by, but I wouldn't count on it.
 
jknight8907 said:
Since they allow laptops to remain in some bags, they may let the box go as well, since they should have a good view of the laptop in the box.
Click to expand...

"Seeing" doesn't mean it wouldn't contain explosives, thats why they want them out of the bags, the machine can check the air around it for traces of explosives.
 
Another alternative could be to pack it into your check-in baggage. A Macbook would be well protected in the box, and could take anything the baggage handlers dish out with no problem. I've done this a couple of times with my old G4 Powerbook.
 
iMac-Knight said:
"Seeing" doesn't mean it wouldn't contain explosives, thats why they want them out of the bags, the machine can check the air around it for traces of explosives.
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Nooo.....they want them out of the bag because the bag itself as well as crap in front and behind the bag can obscure seeing if there's anything 'abnormal' inside it.
 
John Jacob said:
Another alternative could be to pack it into your check-in baggage. A Macbook would be well protected in the box, and could take anything the baggage handlers dish out with no problem. I've done this a couple of times with my old G4 Powerbook.
Click to expand...
You cannot check computers per federal law (and pretty much anywhere else in the world) anymore. If your bag gets searched, the local security authorities (in the US, the TSA) holds the right to confiscate it. FedEx seems your best bet. It's 100% certain that you'd need to open it if trying to fly with it.
 
akonradi said:
You cannot check computers per federal law (and pretty much anywhere else in the world) anymore. If your bag gets searched, the local security authorities (in the US, the TSA) holds the right to confiscate it. FedEx seems your best bet. It's 100% certain that you'd need to open it if trying to fly with it.
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Sorry for pulling up such a old thread, but I saw this and wanted to comment.

I ended up taking the box with me on the flight. They didn't ask me to open the box, amazingly. Everything went without a problem.
 
jknight8907 said:
Since they allow laptops to remain in some bags, they may let the box go as well, since they should have a good view of the laptop in the box.
Click to expand...

i have always had to take mine out at every airport ive been in

ravenvii said:
Sorry for pulling up such a old thread, but I saw this and wanted to comment.

I ended up taking the box with me on the flight. They didn't ask me to open the box, amazingly. Everything went without a problem.
Click to expand...


nice!
 
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