# tips for transporting a laptop on a plane

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by battle star queen (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 20-Jun-2015 22:41:44

I'll be taking a plane in the next few weeks and I'm thinking about taking my laptop. Does anybody have any ideas on what what are the best ways to keep a laptop from getting damaged while on a plane"

## Post 2 by rat (star trek rules!) on Sunday, 21-Jun-2015 0:28:31

Just keep it in a bag padded by other stuff and you should be fine. I just had mine in my bag with clothes around it and it was perfectly safe.

## Post 3 by Meglet (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 21-Jun-2015 0:56:38

If it's possible, you can always pack it in your carry-on luggage. WestJet, in particular, lets you have two carry-on items, so if you had a backpack and then a smaller bag for the essentials, you could store the laptop safely in the former.

## Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 21-Jun-2015 13:42:48

I'd carry mine in a laptop bag, and if the trip were long enough use it.
I also like the packpacks, because you can put other things inside as well.
I have both.

## Post 5 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Sunday, 21-Jun-2015 17:14:22

If you're going to use a backpack, put the laptop in a place where it's easy to get it out and put it back in again once you're through the security checkpoint. the laptop and other electronic devices should go in a separate bin from your bag so tSA people can look at it thoroughly; make sure the phone is off. Any external hard drives you bring with you should be packed in checked luggage that's going in cargo, and packed well. Take it from someone who didn't know that, and lost a brand-new external drive after stupidly putting it in my carry-on bag when I flew years ago. Good luck and hope all goes well.

## Post 6 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Sunday, 21-Jun-2015 17:16:48

To add to my last post, when I say I lost the external, I don't mean it was physically gone, I mean it got fried. turned it on once it was plugged into the laptop when I reached my destination, and the computer couldn't read it at all. Recovering anything and everything from it would have cost me money I don't have; I found that out after calling up the manufacturer. so ... yeah, not trying to scare you, just warning you is all. Hugs.

## Post 7 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Sunday, 21-Jun-2015 18:42:30

I've taken laptops on planes a good dozen or so times now. I have a backpack which counts as my carry-on item, and the laptop fits in there quite easily. I usually keep both it and my phone handy, though the phone won't be able to grab the net while you fly. Neither will the computer, of course.
I suppose you might get away with putting a laptop in a suitcase, but I really really don't recommend it. If you put it in carry-on luggage, they'll try and treat it well. I've had them turn it on a few times, just to make sure it is what I say it is, but that's it.
Definitely put it in a compartment that's easy to get at, and try not to pile other things in and around it too tightly. If it's going in a backpack and if you're even close to careful with it, you should have no issues unless the backpack is dropped or smashed against something that doesn't yield, like concrete or steel. A glancing blow to the pack - such as clipping it off a seat, having someone run into it, thunking it onto the floor at an odd angle - should be pretty safe, as backpacks usually act as a bit of a buffer between their contents and any object which strikes them.
I'm not saying don't be careful, but don't worry too much.
OOh, and one other general piece of advice: laptop or not, make damn sure your zippers and catches are done up nice and tight, both before and after security check, and any time you mess with your carry-on luggage. I say this because I'm usually very careful about such things, and I've forgotten to completely do up a zipper or something. I've never lost a laptop, but I've probably dropped a tube of chapstick or some such without being aware of it. If you have anything small which can slip out of a side-pocket, such as a phone charger or a pair of earbuds, it pays to be extra-careful with the fastenings on your carry-on luggage.
Okay, ramble over, I promise. Heh.

## Post 8 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 22-Jun-2015 0:11:01

Some airlines provide on board Wi Fi for a fee.
You can use it like you own it. Lol

## Post 9 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Monday, 22-Jun-2015 15:34:21

I take it that's added to the cost of the flight? i've never used wi-fi in the air before, but it sounds cool.

## Post 10 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 23-Jun-2015 14:26:02

carry it in the laptop bag if you have one. I've just put it above my head without any probloems ever. they'll ask to go thru it for sacurety, but they'll always put it back in its bag once they open and check the bag.

## Post 11 by battle star queen (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 23-Jun-2015 22:27:40

If I put my external harddrive in my suitcase, isn't there a chance that it could get smashed while in flight? And how could an external drive get fried going threw the security scanner thing?

## Post 12 by WillieTheWoof (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 24-Jun-2015 10:56:13

It's best to keep those things with you. Put the external drive in the lap top bag if you have room. I've never had any problems with computer equipment.

## Post 13 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 24-Jun-2015 12:40:47

I second that.
Take all related computer accessories in the computer bag.

## Post 14 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Thursday, 25-Jun-2015 20:20:37

no idea how the hell it got fried. all I know is the laptop wouldn't read it at all.

## Post 15 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 26-Jun-2015 18:28:47

Hard drives are magnetic. They store your information magnetically. There are a lot of such things in and around airport security areas. The less exposure to high-powered scanning your drive gets, the better.

## Post 16 by battle star queen (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 27-Jun-2015 20:52:04

What would be the best way to keep my ext ernal drive from getting fried while it goes threw security?

## Post 17 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 27-Jun-2015 23:06:31

Ask them to take care not to do it.

## Post 18 by battle star queen (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 03-Jul-2015 22:15:02

What you mean is not have them scan the dirve at all?

## Post 19 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 04-Jul-2015 22:26:38

Yes, or ask them about your data.
I don't see it as a problem,but if you've had them before, ask about it.

## Post 20 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 04-Jul-2015 22:28:21

What I mean is call the airline before you get to the airport and ask for what you should do.