Is there anything special I need to know about taking a notebook computer through airport security? I have heard several things. 1. The Notebook needs to be taken out of the case and the bag goes through the x-ray. 2. I’ve also heard the above isn’t true, you just put the whole dang thing through the x-ray.
I’m assuming someone out there has taken a notebook with them when traveling.
Depends on how strict they are where you pass through. In most US airports, you’ll have to take it out, and at some places even power it on. In some places, you don’t have to take it out of the bag.
I pack my notebook in my backpack with all my other handcarry stuff and am now resigned to the x-ray people taking everything out of my backpack, then running the notebook+backpack through the x-ray, then trying to repack everything.
This happened with annoying regularity last year, so plan for delays at the x-ray machine.
I remember having to switch on the notebook in Japan, on the way to the US, as well, but this only happened once.
For safety reasons (theft) handcarry your laptop, always. I have travelled extensively over the past 10 years with my laptop throughout Asia and to / from Europe and I am certain that in all cases the laptop, while in it’s bag, was x-rayed.
On at least one occassion I had to take it out and power it up after the X-ray to prove that the electronics inside were that of a laptop and not some explosive device. Hence I recommend to ensure your batteries are charged before starting your travel.
Does the X-ray effect any components on the notebook?
How about the regular large garden variety pc?
Can’t count the x-rays my notebook has been through in the past two years. I’ve never had to take it out of the bag or turn it on and don’t attribute any problems to the x-rays.
HTH
Iris
Agree with Iris, have had no problems anywhere, other than when flying to the US, then it is a question of normally just switching on.
Yep, the notebook’s definitely x-rayed but I’ve never had problems with it as a result.
I’ve not had problems with camera film either, or the storage of digital cameras. Or my PDA storage. I will next be bring a camera phone onto the plane…I don’t think there will be problems there, either.
And I second Rascal - your batteries do have to be charged. It’s a pain though as you have to wait for Windows to start up… and the moment Windows comes up they wave you on, and there you are waiting for the notebook to finally finish starting up so you can shut it down!
The US usually makes you take it out of the case. Taiwan and Japan let me keep it in my case.
K
[quote=“TaiwanPsycho”]Does the X-ray effect any components on the notebook?
How about the regular large garden variety pc?[/quote]
X-Ray only affects things that are light sensitive. As far as I know, the only thing it affects is photographic film. Electronics, CDs, tapes, flash memory, etc., are all unaffected by airport x-rays.
Ben: All the airports I’ve been to seem to say ‘camera-safe’ these days…does that mean they don’t x-ray the luggage?
Which airports do you know of with non-camera-friendly x-ray machines? We need a list…
All x-ray machinese are more or less “camera-safe” to the average photographer. Generally only people shooting with very high sensitivity (ISO 1000+) films will be concerned about x-rays.
I’ve had probably hundreds of rolls of film x-rayed without a single problem. So far no problems with my digital camera and laptop either.
An update:
I had several flights in the US in May, on all occasions I was required to take the notebook out of the case and put it in a bin all by itself before it went through the x-ray machine. As a matter of fact some security agents asked me if I was carrying a computer. I was never asked to turn it on once. We were even selected for special security screening once and they didn’t turn it on there either, they just opened it to make sure it was a computer.
Sydney airport once insisted that I take the battery out of mine. I have no idea why.
This is usually done if there is a bomb threat (as batteries can be used to trigger such).
Careful with some security checks in the US. (1) They often help you by tossing your laptop into the bin (not very polite) and (2) they have no padding in the bottom of the bin, so when it comes out the other end of the x-ray machine, the bin jumps up and down on the conveyor belt. Not good for sensitive electronics. I usually have my hand ready, reaching almost inside the hood at the other end to catch and lift up the bin before it makes its bouncy trip down the coveyor belt.
At SFO, they have padded bins. I think at OAK also. For places that don’t, I put my laptop sleeve underneath. Also, to prevent theft, I don’t put my laptop through the x-ray unless the person in front of me has cleared the security checkpoint.
its probbley been answered but I travel alot and every single time I have had my laptop x-rayed. No probblems so far they make u take it out of the bag and put it into a bin and it goes threw
[quote=“shimmers”]Ben: All the airports I’ve been to seem to say ‘camera-safe’ these days…does that mean they don’t x-ray the luggage?
Which airports do you know of with non-camera-friendly x-ray machines? We need a list…[/quote]
There are no non-camera-friendly x-ray machines. If your camera does not have film loaded in it, it can go through any airport x-ray machine as many times as you want with no damage. What you should be concerned about is the film. The carry-on scanners that claim to be “film-safe” are generally safe for film that is ISO400 and under. I say generally, because X-rays are a cumulative effect. For the average traveler who runs their film through the carry-on scanner, say a 2, 5, or even 10 times, it should be no problem. But, the more times it gets scanned, it ultimately will damage the film, but for most people, you won’t go through nearly enough passes for it to make a difference. For ISO 800 or above film, I’d prefer to have it hand inspected. For peace of mind, you can also get a lead bag to keep your film in when going through the x-rays. I have a lead bag, and I’ve never had any problems.
The scanners that will definitely damage film are the CTX-5xxx series scanners they use for check-in baggage, so definitely don’t put any film in check-ins. Most of the lead bags on the market won’t protect against these either.
Here’s a good link on the subject, although it hasn’t been updated in awhile.