Laptop question

[lllGurulll]

I have seen some info on the web that you are required to boot your laptop when checking in for your flight. Is this always done and a requirement?

I only ask because my laptop batter is a dead battery and the laptop can only boot when plugged in. Can they adjust for this?

also, what is the procedure for checking it at the xray machine? I have never flown with a laptop before. I am flying Southwest.

EDIT
Another thought. I am bringing a small box speaker for my ipod so I can listen to one of my sleep aid apps. Can this be packed in check in luggage or do I need to carry this on as well as my laptop?

 

[Tozzie]

I have seen some info on the web that you are required to boot your laptop when checking in for your flight. Is this always done and a requirement?

I only ask because my laptop batter is a dead battery and the laptop can only boot when plugged in. Can they adjust for this?

also, what is the procedure for checking it at the xray machine? I have never flown with a laptop before. I am flying Southwest.

EDIT
Another thought. I am bringing a small box speaker for my ipod so I can listen to one of my sleep aid apps. Can this be packed in check in luggage or do I need to carry this on as well as my laptop?

Any electronics should be carried on or you may never see them again. As for booting your laptop, I don't know if it is a requirement and I always take mine and I have never had to turn it on when going through security.

 

[lllGurulll]

Any electronics should be carried on or you may never see them again. As for booting your laptop, I don't know if it is a requirement and I always take mine and I have never had to turn it on when going through security.

Hmmm, good point. Guess I need to determine if it is worth taking on a carryon then. Of course, I still have to worry about checking everything in at the hotel too. No matter how I look at it, my electronics will be out of my view for a few hours whether I like it or not. We will arrive at the hotel around noon so I doubt our room will be ready.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Electronics can be secured at the hotel in the lockboxes they have, so you shouldn't be too concerned with that.

As for booting up your computer, I haven't seen this done in 10 - 15 years, maybe randomly just after 9/11, but otherwise, no. You will need to remove it from your case and place it in its own bin though for scanning.

 

[lllGurulll]

Electronics can be secured at the hotel in the lockboxes they have, so you shouldn't be too concerned with that.

As for booting up your computer, I haven't seen this done in 10 - 15 years, maybe randomly just after 9/11, but otherwise, no. You will need to remove it from your case and place it in its own bin though for scanning.

Where are these located at Pop Century?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Where are these located at Pop Century?

Not sure specifically where they are located, but if you ask the front desk or a bell hop they will assist you.

 

[lllGurulll]

Not sure specifically where they are located, but if you ask the front desk or a bell hop they will assist you.

Excellent. Thanks

 

[Tara]

Electronics can be secured at the hotel in the lockboxes they have, so you shouldn't be too concerned with that.

As for booting up your computer, I haven't seen this done in 10 - 15 years, maybe randomly just after 9/11, but otherwise, no. You will need to remove it from your case and place it in its own bin though for scanning.

I agree - I read your post and my first thought was "it's been at least 10 years since I was asked to turn on my laptop." And I travel a lot, and always with my laptop.

 

[larry80]

A few years ago I flew into Ft Myers and they made me turn my MacBook on, and they also swabbed it to test for explosives.

 

[dioxide45]

You should be able to pack the speaker in your checked bag. If they are fairly cheap and you don't mind losing them, they will be fine. In most cases, if you don't mind losing them, people don't want to take them. Now if they are some nice IHome or Bose speakers, put them in your carry-on. Otherwise put them in your checked bag. Your IPod should definitely go in to your checked bag.

 

[pamjb]

Your IPod should definitely go in to your checked bag.

I think you mean carryon bag.......

 

[vicki_c]

Your IPod should definitely go in to your checked bag.

I believe you mean in your carry-on.

Basically anything you don't want to lose, you should carry on with you or leave at home.

 

[LilyWDW]

I have seen others and been asked myself to turn on my electronic devises every last time I have flown. To the best of my knowledge they do not have anywhere to plug it in and you will be flagged for an additional search if they request it and you can not comply.

Better to be prepared to do it and then not have to, then to hope you don't have to and then need to.

 

[pixeegrl]

My husband flies all the time with his and has never been asked to turn it o. The few times I have flown in the last 2 years I was not asked.

 

[Huff]

I've never had to turn on my laptop. In past years I have had to turn on my cell phone.

I work for an engineering company and often fly with electronic gizmos and gadgets that include wires, cables, lights, large metal devices etc. TSA always flags it in the xray and asks me to open up my luggage. I do and explain its test equipment and they wave me on. Never a problem.

 

[DebbieB]

I fly all the time for work with my laptop and it's been years since I've been asked to boot it up, probably last time was right after 9/11.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have not been asked to turn on my computer either. Don’t fly a lot, but usually 2-3 round trips per year.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never had to turn on my laptop. In past years I have had to turn on my cell phone.

I work for an engineering company and often fly with electronic gizmos and gadgets that include wires, cables, lights, large metal devices etc. TSA always flags it in the xray and asks me to open up my luggage. I do and explain its test equipment and they wave me on. Never a problem.

I haven't had to turn on a laptop.

DH and my brother both travel with weird gadgets, carrying them on, and they've never had to do much explaining at all. With DH he's carrying things that aren't on the market yet, and my brother carries computers that don't look like computers, and both of them travel domestically and internationally, and don't have problems.