 CalliopePremium
join:2005-09-19
Madison, WI | Flying - external HD and laptop? Curious to know if it is safe to put my external HD and laptop in checked baggage rather than carry-on. Airline allows both, but are there any risks to the components (other than obvious banging around by handlers), such as magnets in the baggage handling system or x-rays that can harm data? |
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| The only danger would come from them losing it or banging it around. |
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1 edit | AIrlines do not allow laptops or any electronics in checked baggage. If you put it in there they are not responsible for damage or theft.
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Email/MSN: Michael at hardwaregeeks.com
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| It is most certainly allowed. However, the airline won't be responsible for any loss. |
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA | reply to Calliope
said by Calliope:are there any risks to the components (other than obvious banging around by handlers), such as magnets in the baggage handling system or x-rays that can harm data? The most likely hazard is a TSA monkey opening a bag and keeping your items for permanent personal inspection. |
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CalliopePremium
join:2005-09-19
Madison, WI | reply to HardwareGeek
said by HardwareGeek:AIrlines do not allow laptops or any electronics in checked baggage. If you put it in there they are not responsible for damage or theft. Austrian Air does indeed allow laptops and certain electronics in checked baggage - checked and double-checked with Austrian.
As for possible "collateral damage" during the flight, not in the mood to lug these things around with me in a carry on and will risk the not-so-nice possibilities.
External will be in it's original packaging and laptop well padded and protected. Can also shrink-wrap suitcase to avoid sticky-fingers.  |
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 thegeekPremium
join:2008-02-21
right here
kudos:2
 ·Suddenlink
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I've checked a laptop before because I was traveling with my personal laptop and work laptop. I didn't want to have to go through security with 2. This was back in the day when you had to turn them on and show security it was a real laptop. I didn't have any problems but it is definitely a do at your own risk sort of thing. |
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 CylonRedPremium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | reply to Calliope
I would ONLY do carry on with a laptop - last person at my work who checked their laptop - it came out bent at a VERY nice angle and was 100% useless.
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Brian
"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain |
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Reviews:
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| reply to Calliope
Put it in an indestructible, well padded case and it will probably be OK. I've replaced broken screens for people that sent their laptop via baggage check. Many years ago I replaced a broken plasma screen TWICE for the same guy within a couple of months. His boss was pretty unhappy with him since the cost for just the screen was over $1,500.  Today you can get replacement LCD's for about a tenth of that (or less).  |
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 runnoftPremium
join:2003-10-14
Deerfield, IL
kudos:1 | reply to Calliope
Magnets and x-rays in security and checked baggage handling procedures are not known to cause data loss or otherwise damage laptops or hard drives.
That said, I personally would NEVER check an electronic item like this in baggage. I see you think you have it covered, but items like laptops and external hard drives disappear from checked baggage at the Chicago airports routinely.
I ditched the heavy laptop for a $300 netbook that can handle e-mail, surf the web, and do word processing and spreadsheets for travel. It's an easy carry-on item. |
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 JahntassaWhat, I can have feathersPremium
join:2006-04-14
Conway, SC
kudos:4 | reply to Calliope
Agree with the general consensus.
The airlines won't take responsibility if something comes out broken on the other end, and good luck getting reimbursement if something gets lost.
I'd never check a laptop, unless it was in a strong case (such as a Pelican), but even then, i'd be hesitant as i've seen stuff disappear firsthand.
I -have- checked expensive electronics in with my bags before, that being said, but nothing that I couldn't risk losing. If you have data on the drive that doesn't exist anywhere else i'd be cautious, otherwise you should come out fine.
Physically, other than your bag being run over, the drive should survive just fine. I'd still wrap it in some t-shirts or something, but you get the idea. |
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 The PigI know you want to be mePremium
join:2009-09-11 | reply to Calliope
You'd be better off leaving it at home and buy a new one when you get where you're going, then to let the airlines handle your laptop! |
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 KramerPremium,Mod
join:2000-08-03
Richmond, VA
kudos:2
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You have to be rich and willing to lose your possessions, to entrust anything to the airlines. My suggestion is ship it to your destination via Fedex or UPS prior to your trip. You can insure it for a nominal charge. Your choice whether it goes ground, 2nd day or next day. I know people that ship their bags now. It might cost a little more than the airlines, but at least you know your possessions will be there when you arrive. |
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Note that spare lithium batteries are not allowed in your checked luggage. Only batteries which are installed in a device like a laptop are allowed. |
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1 edit | reply to Jahntassa
said by Jahntassa:other than your bag being run over, Had that happen once. It happened on the outbound trip of an international flight. Returning through US Customs, the officer asked, "What happened to your bag?" The answer was, "I don't know, ask Continental Airlines!" |
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 exocet_cmI am the law - Judge DreddPremium
join:2003-03-23
New Orleans, LA
kudos:2 | reply to Calliope
I carry my laptop and accessories in a Pelican case. No worries about it banging around.
»www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1550
They also make laptop-specific cases. |
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CalliopePremium
join:2005-09-19
Madison, WI | reply to Bobcat79
said by Bobcat79:Note that spare lithium batteries are not allowed in your checked luggage. Only batteries which are installed in a device like a laptop are allowed. Yes, I understand that. Austrian has a .pdf »mobile.austrian.com/en/http%3Aww···ods.ashx with a very thorough list.
Also traveling with a pet, so I just can not handle any excess carry-on baggage. As mentioned, the external goes in its original packaging and will just have to take my chances with the laptop. I do have all important documentation backed up on several thumb drives and DVDs that are being shipped separately. Would have loved to have gotten a netbook, but impossible at this point.
Guess I'll post back in a few weeks and let you all know how it went.
Thank you for all the responses. This is a 12 hour transatlantic flight and the luggage with the laptop can be shrink-wrapped and locked, so not too worried about theft, unless someone takes the entire suitcase. |
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1 edit | nm (Just saw it was an international flight) |
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davl
join:2006-01-28
Furlong, PA | reply to Calliope
According to this TSA link »www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/c···ack.shtm they say that you should not pack the laptop in your luggage but they don't say that it is prohibited.
Shrink-wrap will not help. They (TSA) will cut it open and leave a form in your luggage notifying you that they have inspected it. Of course if your laptop is missing they won't know anything about that.  |
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runnoftPremium
join:2003-10-14
Deerfield, IL
kudos:1 | reply to Calliope
said by Calliope:...Also traveling with a pet, so I just can not handle any excess carry-on baggage. As mentioned, the external goes in its original packaging and will just have to take my chances with the laptop. I do have all important documentation backed up on several thumb drives and DVDs that are being shipped separately. Would have loved to have gotten a netbook, but impossible at this point... Traveling with a pet definitely limits what you can do with carry-ons, because it counts as your main carry-on, as you know. The only other thing they let you bring is a "small personal item," usually limited to small backpack size or smaller, that will go overhead. I might have to make an exception, myself, to my personal rule about not checking electronics, in that situation.
I think you're doing the best you can with what you've got. Your stuff will probably be fine. Have a great trip! |
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