Any tips for traveling with carry on luggage and airport security?

[Remobz]

hi all,

I will be traveling internationally (been like 9 years since I did) and will be taking a carry on luggage with as much computer parts and electronic items that I can fit inside it. I will have no laptops. At least I will know the more expensive items will reach its destination.

Anyway, I assume airport x-rays are safe for computer parts and other electronic gadgets?

Do I have to prove that all my electronic devices work? Like iphones or mp3 players for example.

Basically, I do not want the airport security seizing any of my items.

What do you guys normally do? You ever had any problems before?

[zerocool84]

Make sure to take lots of lube with you for the cavity searches.

[IndyColtsFan]

They may ask you to remove them from the bag, but you should be OK. I've carried on routers, VPN boxes, etc. and never had issues though I was asked to remove them from my luggage.

[marvdmartian]

The ONLY thing the TSA wants out of the bag is a laptop. I've never even had them ask me to take the tablet (7") that I have out of the bag. Same with MP3 players, phones, cameras, etc.

Evidently, laptops are thick enough that, inside of a bag, they're difficult to determine, via x-ray, whether they have any additional (unauthorized) "extras" within them.

Like was said already, worst thing that should happen is you pull them out of the bag. Or they ask to search the bag. No biggy.

[DLeRium]

just take the laptop out. i carry all my electronics in my backpack when I go on intl flights. I had a boxed iPad 2, HP TouchPad, 2 phones, and a laptop.

[RelaxTheMind]

i use a different bag for flights that just has charger/laptop/headphones. tshirt, sweats, slip ons.

[Matthiasa]

Anything that has a chance of being requested to check should be separated out.
But really just look at the TSA website on what should be done.

[JEDIYoda]

I usually tell TSA before they X-Ray my stuff that Mr. John Pistole personally told me it was OK for me to have several handguns and ammo and some plastic explosives in my carry on. Only for my protection of course!!

[Vic Vega]

Originally Posted by Remobz

hi all,

I will be traveling internationally (been like 9 years since I did) and will be taking a carry on luggage with as much computer parts and electronic items that I can fit inside it. I will have no laptops. At least I will know the more expensive items will reach its destination.

Anyway, I assume airport x-rays are safe for computer parts and other electronic gadgets?

Do I have to prove that all my electronic devices work? Like iphones or mp3 players for example.

Basically, I do not want the airport security seizing any of my items.

What do you guys normally do? You ever had any problems before?

Drop ship that stuff. Not worth the airport headache.

[Number1]

Originally Posted by zerocool84

Make sure to take lots of lube with you for the cavity searches.

Isn't that provided by the airport authorities?

[Number1]

Electronic parts? Hard drives?

[Remobz]

Originally Posted by Vic Vega

Drop ship that stuff. Not worth the airport headache.

Well, my sister lives in Ohio so that is an option. Only problem is that I will be ass raped by the Customs duties and shipping and handling costs once the boxes arrive here (outside the USA).


I will be traveling with two big suitcases so maybe I can just pack most of the items in them and hope for the best (no stealing by airport workers). The carry on will only have small items like phones, ssd and other personal effects.

I am going to have to think this through in greater depth.

[squirrel dog]

I think you should ship it as per Vic V.Life is to short to have to deal with airport clowns.

[JoeBleed]

before 9-11, i actually had to turn on my laptop to prove it worked once as did the person ahead of me. last time i traveled by plane, 2 or so years ago, i had to take my laptop out of the bag and put it in a separate tray. the tsa lady bitched at me for having a lot of stuff in my laptop bag, she said it needed to have less stuff in it to make it easer to search through. I laughed and told her to damn bad, i need this stuff. on the way back home, no one complained. Like someone else said, i had mp3 player, headphones and a couple other small electronics they didn't seem to care about or make me take out of the bag for some reason.

shit i had tools that could be used as weapons and they didn't care. they weren't hidden either, open view when you opened my bag. plus it went through x-ray.

Best advice i can give you is see what you can find about it on tsa's website, print the rules out and take them with you and hope you don't get a bitchy tsa prick. Because that is what really matters more than the rules during that period of time. These rules are stupid and aren't making anyone any safer.

Actually, besides having to take my goddamn shoes off to go through security, what really pissed me off was the number of people they allow to take huge "carry on" bags that will never fit in the passenger compartments to the gate, then the flight people make them gate check it. which doesn't seem to cost money where as i had to pay $50 for a small checked bag. only reason i checked it was because i was carrying a small pocket knife that used to be allowed onto planes. why is this shit allowed!!!???!!!! ugh.

[KeithP]

Originally Posted by marvdmartian

The ONLY thing the TSA wants out of the bag is a laptop.

FWIW, I have a Brenthaven laptop bag that unzips and lays flat so that the padded section with the laptop is by itself on one side. They have never asked me to take my laptop out of this bag.

-KeithP

[Mermaidman]

Originally Posted by zerocool84

Make sure to take lots of lube with you for the cavity searches.

Sorry--You're only allowed 3 oz of lube.

[Paladin3]

The last time my son traveled he packed an $80 computer mouse in his bag. Some dipshit agent pried it open and broke it, then tossed a note in the bag stating that a federal regulation mandated that all electronic devises were subject to being opened or turned on for verification.

Be careful with your electronics.

[PowerYoga]

I've carried hardrives, graphics cards and such through on a carry-on but they can break all of it and not be liable for anything. Not to mention some electronics will be subject to customs search depending on where you go internationally.

So while I've never had a bad experience bringing this stuff through, it really depends on your luck on whether the TSA agent is having a bad day or not.

[sjwaste]

I once had a screener at PHL identify my exact brand and model of toothbrush from the x-ray. He stopped me and goes, "Sonicare... Elite 7300, right?" Pretty sure one of the other guys standing with him lost a bet right there. I was impressed.

[MixMasterTang]

Originally Posted by Remobz

hi all,

I will be traveling internationally (been like 9 years since I did) and will be taking a carry on luggage with as much computer parts and electronic items that I can fit inside it. I will have no laptops. At least I will know the more expensive items will reach its destination.

Anyway, I assume airport x-rays are safe for computer parts and other electronic gadgets?

Do I have to prove that all my electronic devices work? Like iphones or mp3 players for example.

Basically, I do not want the airport security seizing any of my items.

What do you guys normally do? You ever had any problems before?

The more important question here is where are you flying to? What are these parts going to be used for? You may be required to pay import tax.

[mizzou]

"laptops" go on top of your bag through the x-ray machine. I don't believe they have extended that same issue to tablets yet though

[bigrash]

Originally Posted by Paladin3

The last time my son traveled he packed an $80 computer mouse in his bag. Some dipshit agent pried it open and broke it, then tossed a note in the bag stating that a federal regulation mandated that all electronic devises were subject to being opened or turned on for verification.

Be careful with your electronics.

Damn that sucks.

[Remobz]

Originally Posted by MixMasterTang

The more important question here is where are you flying to? What are these parts going to be used for? You may be required to pay import tax.

I live in Belize.


My dad and I are going to visit my sister (who lives in Ohio) for a month. Its been like 7 years since I been to the USA or Canada. I have a long list of electronic items for myself, my gf, her kids and two nephews. We pay 3 times what you guys pay for computer parts and electronic goods here. Many times the items are not even in stock and have to be ordered from the USA at three times the original price.

So basically, the items will be for me and Christmas gifts for loved ones.

I guess it depends on who the TSA worker is

[jagec]

Originally Posted by Vic Vega

Drop ship that stuff. Not worth the airport headache.

I'd rather keep my expensive electronics in my direct control when traveling internationally. It's far more likely to get lost or confiscated if shipped than as a carry-on.

Originally Posted by Mermaidman

Sorry--You're only allowed 3 oz of lube.

[PingviN]

Don't look like an Arab.