Query: Laptops and Security

Self

[fourhorsemen]

especially shoes

TSA folks tell me that Rockports are the biggest culprit - they have a steel shaft in them that always sets off the metal detectors.

You can always tell the frequent flyers, they are the ones stuffing every metal thing on them (cell phone, keys, watches) into their laptop bags, while also taking off their jackets, belts, & shoes before going through security.

[fourhorsemen]

Personally, I've gone back to putting it in my checked baggage, nestled inside several sweaters.

As a rule now all checked baggage is x-rayed, and you are no longer allowed to lock checked baggage, so you are putting a lot of faith in the security screeners who have pretty much open access to your bags. I've retrieved my bags several times to find a note inside from the TSA.

I would strongly recommend against checking anything of value.

[DefCon]

I have a theory that it may havesomething to do with working in metalurgy for a number of years.
I could have enough chromium and lead in me to set the thing off.
I also have a theory that more than just 'metal' is being detected for at the security devices.
I am around chemicals a lot at work, and with yard and garden work.
I could have a chemical fingerprint the machines don't like.

[xrp]

You can always tell the frequent flyers, they are the ones stuffing every metal thing on them (cell phone, keys, watches) into their laptop bags, while also taking off their jackets, belts, & shoes before going through security.

Yep, that's me...

Airlines should require everyone to go naked. Security would be a lot faster and easier, not to mention the incredible incentive that tens of millions of Americans would have to lose weight.

[xrp]

Especially keep your eyes on it in the European airports, especially Paris and London. Those places are just a den of thieves and will steal anything of value. I'll be traveling to Europe next weekend and dreading taking my laptop.

And make sure, at ANY airport security point, watch all of your bags go into the X-ray machine before you step through the people buzzer. I've seen too many people line up 3 or more bags on the X-ray machine, then walk on through when their bags haven't even scrolled into the X-ray machine yet! Someone on the other side could come up, casually remove a bag and no one on the unscreened side would know...or care.

[Dark Knight]

Do you recommend one of those proximity sensors? You know the kind where if the laptop gets further than about 20 feet from you it starts squealing?

DK

If so, do you have a favorite?

[technomage]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I will see how it goes.

Then, back into my mountain fortress!!

[aviator]

Hush Puppy makes a black plain toed oxford for men that will make it through the detectors.

Keep your eye on the laptop as it goes though. A scam is to distract you while someone else runs off with your computer.

[Blue Jays]

Good Evening All-

Technomage, the security devices at the airport won't harm your laptop. Mine has been through about a zillion times with no loss in performance or stored data.

If you'll have access to a computer at your destination, you could always save files and projects to a portable storage device and work on things when you land. These devices are tiny, literally the size of a keychain. A Blackberry can be used to handle e-mail.

My other rule-of-thumb is to NEVER check luggage when traveling domestically. If you're traveling on business for a week or less, you should be able to shoehorn everything into a rollaway and carry-on bag. If not, you're simply carrying too much stuff. Wean yourself from overpacking by packing normally and ask someone to join you and remove 25% of your garments.

~ Blue Jays ~

[clamboat]

Airlines should require everyone to go naked. Security would be a lot faster and easier, not to mention the incredible incentive that tens of millions of Americans would have to lose weight.

Gack! My Eyes - it burns! Sure, tens of millions would have an incentive to lose weight, but there would still be a bell curve. There would always be outlyers who say "screw it, if they don't like my fat they can close their eyes".

[BlazingArizona]

As you can see, I am coming out of the woods and flying again! But, it is necessary. Any suggestions and opinions on taking a laptop with you would be appreciated.

Always carry it on with you, and make sure it's a rugged machine. Travelers should be aware of the three classes of laptop:

1. IBM ThinkPads
2. Apple PowerBooks
3. Crap

[yevgenie]

Airlines should require everyone to go naked. Security would be a lot faster and easier, not to mention the incredible incentive that tens of millions of Americans would have to lose weight. Gack! My Eyes - it burns! Sure, tens of millions would have an incentive to lose weight, but there would still be a bell curve. There would always be outlyers who say "screw it, if they don't like my fat they can close their eyes".

Ewww. Could you imagine if Teddy Kennedy was in front of you. [puke]

[Johnny_Cipher]

Wean yourself from overpacking by packing normally and ask someone to join you and remove 25% of your garments.

Only 25 percent, huh? (leer)

[Blue Jays]

Good Evening All-

Only 25 percent, huh? (leer)

Johnny_Cipher, you nut! ;-)

Perhaps I should have said, "Have your friend discard 25% of the garments you've packed to compel you to handle dressing for the business week with less options..." or something like that. Oh, you might also consider extra batteries for that laptop, too.

~ Blue Jays ~

[July 4th]

Ok, here's the deal. The X-Ray machines will not harm your laptop. It doesn't use any magnets in its operation except perhaps on the belt motor - think of the X-Ray as a very high powered form of light.

BUT, the wand sensors and the metal detectors have the potential to harm data, so do keep your machine well clear of those. For instance, don't walk up to the metal detector with disks in your pockets, or ask your laptop to be hand-checked. Just put it in a tray and put it on the belt, and all will be fine.

For the general security of the laptop, put all of your other stuff through first, and then hold the laptop until the last possible moment. Don't put it through until you're asked to walk through the metal detector. If you're hung up by a beeping machine, you want as little distance between you and your valuables as possible.

[longtermmemmory]

No problems going through xray machines.

Many airlines require laptops be carried as carry on luggage.

New security rules require the laptop to pass through the machine independently.

[GummyIII]

Flying in and out of Dulles, LAX, and other large terminals frequently, I've always locked my luggage, never been told I couldn't, and it's never been searched. I do carry my laptop on. I have a metal plate in my ankle about 5" long and 2" wide with 5 screws and the only place I've been wanded is at my small home airport one time. I've never been held up or searched in any way. Maybe it's because I'm female and sweet? GRIN.

[TeleStraightShooter]

I have observed that the sensitivities of metal detectors vary for airport to airport.

Some will let rivets and the occasional bowie knife get through.
Others will buzz you for simply thinking of a heavy-metal song.

[DTA]

Make sure that your laptop battery is charged so if inspection is needed it can be booted up. Dead laptop can be suspicious of a vehicle to carry Semtex. Not all airports have sniffer dogs or air analyzers. Ditto for all battery powered devices. Recharge before going to the airport.

[DefCon]

That sounds like what I said.