Flying with Laptop, Camcorder, Digital Camera

What to expect at security check points

[GeorgeGG]

Flying to DisneyWorld and figure if I know what to expect
beforehand might help things.
Do they want you to turn items on, remove battery/s, memory
cards, tapes, etc.

Thanks
GGG

[Jenstar]

I had to turn on my laptop at one of the screenings, they swabbed it (for explosive residue?) at another - which they asked me permission for before they did it. I think saying "no, you can't swab my laptop" would send up a flag, so I was quite agreeable ;) That was in Boston coming back from PubConference, and there was a lineup of those of us with laptops waiting to get swabbed.

They asked me to take all electronics out of my carryon, so they could be scanned individually, and this included my digital camera. I think I had to do the same for my CD player too. I didn't have to remove batteries or cards from anything.

I left all my cables, power cords, etc in my carryon, and they had no problem with that.

<added>I am very jealous you are about to go see Mickey! Have fun!</added>

[mivox]

Last year going to London they ignored my digital camera, but did the "take out the laptop" chemical residue swabbing bit.

They often tell you ahead of time to remove your laptop from your carry-on while you're waiting in line for the x-ray checkpoint. Like Jen said though... cables, etc. can be left in the bag (thank goodness).

When I went to Boston, I left everything but my PDA at home. :)

The one I'm dreading is the day my number comes up for the "random screening" at the boarding gate. I pack my carryons like overstuffed jigsaw puzzles...

[Hawkgirl]

When we came home from California last week I had a laptop, PDA/cellphone, digital camera and MP3 player all jammed into one backpack with two 22 oz bottles of beer from a coastal microbrewery (plus a few other personal items).

My bag got flagged - they were extremely concerned about the nail clipper they found in the front pocket of the bag. No one seemed to care a smidge about any of the electronics at all.

Thing is - I got nabbed for the nail clipper on the way out, too. You'd think I'd learn my lesson and put it in my checked baggage next time.

[Marketing Guy]

Airline security clearly dont place the same priority on neat nails as you do Hawkgirl! ;)

Same as the others, I had my laptop and bags swabbed (they were kinda dusty....perhaps they thought it was coke!). They also asked me to open the CD drive.

Scott

[dragonlady7]

I flew from San Diego about two weeks ago with a laptop and a Newton E-mate 300. They looked askance at the e-mate, as it's about seven years old and looks like nothing in production today, but they just had me put it in its own tray, and the laptop in its own tray, and they ran 'em thru the x-ray and I was on my merry way after some extensive repacking. They didn't care if it started up, which was just as well because the Newton's battery was drained and I wasn't sure it'd start up at all...
But generally, no problems...

[Visit Thailand]

In Asia things are a little different but only if you are flying a non-american airline. I once took a flight to Tokyo on an American Carrier and my toothpaste was not only opened but squeezed and smelt etc! and that was before Sept 11.

My advice would be to avoid American carriers (this is not intended as a dicriminatory remark but is related to this thread) as you will have many less problems re the security.

The only time I have had someone in Asia ask me to check my laptop was in Singapore and when I told him I had not shut it down properly and so would take roughly 20 minutes to start up again he let me through.

[Marketing Guy]

Visit Thailand its funny you should mention that.

I recently flew from Glasgow to Malaga and at the check in desk in Glasgow, American Airlines were the only Airline to have additional security personell and checks before you handed your bags in.

(this is before the metal detector / passport control thing)

Scott

[GeorgeGG]

Thanks all.
Leaving Sat afternoon.

GGG