Laptop on an airplane?

[gibhunter]

I'm gonna fly from JFK to California this fall and am planning on bringing my laptop to watch some DVDs on the way. Has anyone ever done this? Are there car-style power ports on airplanes like the 757? Is anyone familiar with American Airlines policy on these matters? How easy is it to go through the baggege check with a laptop? Is it more trouble than is worth?

 

[Uppsala9496]

I do it all the time.
Not sure about American's power source (empower) availability (look online at their page to see if they have power availability on your type of plane).
Going through security all you need to do is take the laptop out and put it in a separate tray for the xray machine. No big deal.

 

[dullard]

Lots of people do it all the time. Baggage check will require you to remove your laptop from whatever bag it is in. So keep it on the top where you can access it easilly. As for power ports, you might have access to it in first class, but I've never seen it in coach.

Federal policy states that laptops and all other portable electronics are a safety hazzard in event of a crash (small hard things fly through the air and hit people's heads). Thus during takeoff/landing they need to be secured. Most airlines don't put any further restriction on laptops.

 

[Kenazo]

iirc most planes don't have cigarette lighters or any other power plug for their passengers, at least not in coach. Maybe 1st class would have something like that. Then again it's been a while since I've flown, so I'm not quite sure.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Per AA:

Your seat may be equipped with a DC power outlet. American uses a "cigarette lighter" style outlet delivering 15 volts of direct current. On most aircraft*, a power outlet is available at each seat in First and Business class, as well as selected rows in the Coach cabin. Outlets may be used to operate laptop computers, CD/DVD players, charging cellphone and other devices with a maximum 75-watt capacity. Outlets are located on your seat console, or mounted to the seat frame below your seat cushion. Look for the "lightning bolt" symbol on the overhead bin rows containing powerport-equipped seats. For detailed powerport locations by aircraft type, visit the Our Planes section on AA.com. This information can also be found in the AA Timetable.

DC auto/air power adapter cords can be purchased at most electronics stores or through power cord manufacturers. Keep in mind that power adapter cords are device (laptop or DVD) and model specific. Splitter or Y adaptor cords may not be used. Only one device is allowed per outlet.

To operate: Plug your adapter cord into the computer first, then lift the outlet cover and plug your cord into the outlet.

System power is available when the green light on the outlet is illuminated.

*Powerports are offered on all Boeing 777, 767, 737, Boeing MD80 and Airbus 300 aircraft. Most Boeing 757 aircraft offer powerports

 

[Kelemvor]

Most don't have adaptors to plug into so you need to bring an extra battery. And also get some really good headphones that block out the outside noise or you'll have to crank the volume up so high you're ears will be hurting halfway through the movie.

 

[xospec1alk]

if you know the plane you are flying, goto

www.seatguru.com and they'll tell you which seat has ports.

 

[alkemyst]

People are always watching movies on the flights I have been on, even burning and sharing them (especially the new releases/unreleased).

The best was on a cross-country redeye, someone broke out porn...I couldn't see it, but people were commenting...finally someone made a stink and the person was asked to pick a 'different' movie.

 

[JoeKing]

spare laptop battery is a travelers best friend

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
spare laptop battery is a travelers best friend

Yeah but batteries aren't hot swappable during the movie

 

[SouthPaW1227]

^ Pause, Sleep, Change

BTW, every coach seat I've ever been in DID NOT have any power available.

 

[neutralizer]

I do it all the time. Most long flights have power outlets.

 

[Last Rezort]

Originally posted by: gibhunter
I'm gonna fly from JFK to California this fall and am planning on bringing my laptop to watch some DVDs on the way. Has anyone ever done this? Are there car-style power ports on airplanes like the 757? Is anyone familiar with American Airlines policy on these matters? How easy is it to go through the baggege check with a laptop? Is it more trouble than is worth?

Ive done it many times (i used to travel from california to main and back at least 5 times a year), and its no problem at all. No, there are not power outlets, so bring an extra battery. Also, there should be no problem bringing it through the check points.

P.S.
Where in cali are you going?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
spare laptop battery is a travelers best friend

I thought it was a bottle of hand lotion and a blanket?

:beer::beer:

 

[booger711]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: JoeKing
spare laptop battery is a travelers best friend

I thought it was a bottle of hand lotion and a blanket?

:beer::beer:

get your mind out of the gutter

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
spare laptop battery is a travelers best friend

Depends on what laptop you have... i watch movies on mine all the time, and after a full movie I always have around 40% left on the battery...

 

[rh71]

I use my Treo for movies on flights. Yeah the screen is small, but once you're 10 minutes into the movie, you don't even notice/care anymore... advantage is no powerup/powerdown time or bulky item to toss around (when someone needs to get up). Plus the battery life is awesome... I could watch multiple movies and hours of mp3s on the same charge.

I once considered bringing my laptop, but it was too much of a hassle for a movie or two. If you're bringing it on business anyway, that's another story.