flying noob

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railer

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Apr 15, 2000
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I'm flying for the first time since pre- 9/11 in a couple of days.

I plan on bringing everything of value to me in a backpack as carry on luggage. I guess my biggest unknown is how all my electronic stuff is going to get through security. I plan on bringing smart phone, laptop, Nexus 7, mp3 player, possibly GPS unit, and associated chargers and spare batteries for some of that stuff. My clothes and other crap I could care less about, it's more the batteries, chargers and electronics that I'm somwhat worried about. Any issues bringing that stuff as carry on? Anything else in particular I should be up to speed on? Thanks.
 
Mar 16, 2005
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take the laptop out of your backpack and place it in a separate bin to pass through the scanner.

all other electronics keep in your backpack and pass through the scanner.
 

RossMAN

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Feb 24, 2000
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I guess my biggest unknown is how all my electronic stuff is going to get through security.

Read this: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/what-know-you-go

A few tips based on personal experience:
Have your ticket and picture ID in your hands and ready.
Remove your cell phone, all keys, coins, metal and put inside the small front pocket of your backpack.
Remove your fleece, jacket and coat as they'll probably go through the x-ray machine.
Get ready to remove your shoes.
Watch, listen and pay attention to the TSA employees.
Keep an eye on all your stuff as it goes through the x-ray machine, don't leave anything behind or let anyone walk off with your stuff.

There's some great advice on this web site on how to get through security and pack your electronics:

http://travelblog.bottlewise.com/?tag=packing-electronics

Any issues bringing that stuff as carry on? Anything else in particular I should be up to speed on? Thanks.

Nope, make sure to pack it carefully. Do you know if your backpack will fit underneath the seat in front of you (preferred) or will you have to put it above? Another passenger may have a large carry on suitcase which puts pressure against your backpack possibly damaging fragile electronics. Just make sure to pack carefully.

For example to protect our cameras we wrap them inside t-shirts.

I usually bring:

cell phone
GPS
laptop
iPod/MP3
cameras
tablet
 

CA19100

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Jun 29, 2012
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I suggest neatly wrapping and bundling the various power cables, so they're somewhat neat when they go through the x-ray. The less haphazard the wires are, the easier it will be for the X-ray operator to make heads or tails of what's in the bag, and the less likely he'll need to re-run or open your bag. Laptops will need to be removed and placed separately in a tray, but tablets are fine to leave in the bag.


On a separate topic, many airports now have full-body scanners, which either expose you to X-rays or millimeter waves. I strongly recommend not going through these machines for your safety. The Xray and Millimeter Wave machines look like this, respectively:

005rapiscansecure1000sp.jpg
3dairportbodyscannerlab.jpg


If you're selected to go through the scanner, simply say that you'd like to "opt out." They'll try and talk you out of it. Don't back down. Your reward will be a full-body pat-down, but you'll leave without an extra dose of radiation.

If you're sent through the metal detector, then don't say anything. If you volunteer that you opt out before you even know if you've been selected for the nude-o-scan, you're guaranteed the pat-down. :)
 
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