Need some help quick re: TSA

[disneyeveryyear]

We are flying out in the a.m. (but leaving for hotel tonight), I have a question regarding screening.

What speed film is okay to go through and not need to be hand checked?
The kids disposable camera are 800 speed. I need to have them hand checked, right?

What will they do about my laptop? Do I just need it out of the case, or will I have to power it up? The battery is shot and I would hate to have to plug it in.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mep319]

I all laptops have to be turned on and out of the case. Film just put in your carry on and it should be fine. They usually don't hand check the film. All speeds are fine as long as it is not placed in checked luggage.

 

[DebbieB]

You do have to take your laptop out of the case. I always put it in one of the plastic bins they provide. They only ask you to turn it on if they pull it off the belt for extra security screening (which rarely happens).

I would ask about the film. I've heard 800 speed should not go through the x-ray. Lower than that is OK.

 

[CarolA]

Laptops do not have to be turned on, just out of the case. Put them in the plastic bin and away they go....

I have not had to turn mine on in years.

The TSA says film speeds 800 and below are fine to scan. It's up to you on that.

 

[safetymom]

I would request hand screening for your film. Better to be safe than sorry.

You will need to take your laptop out of the case. Also be sure that anyone wearing metal take it off before being screened. Also if the shoes have metal in them, take them off.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

My DS has been asked every time we go thru security to turn on his laptop.

 

[safetymom]

Wow, that is unusual. I have flown many, many flights through lots of different airports and have never had to turn my laptop on. I have had the extra bomb screening on it.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

And my DS gets so aggravated, it takes so long for it to completely load and he waits and waits and then turns it off again. He's 19 and doesn't shave on a regular basis, so he always looks kind of scruffy. Last time we flew into TPA and out of MCO. That's considered one way flights and they screen you differently. They went through all of our carry ons and really checked us out!

 

[mep319]

This is straight from the USAIR website.

Customers may be requested to demonstrate the operation of electronic equipment, including laptops, cell phones and pagers.
Random searches of checked baggage may be performed with high-powered scanning machines that damage film. Cameras and film should be packed in carry-on baggage.

The last 4 flights I have been requested to turn on my laptop and cell phone...as well as take a drink of my water.

 

[safetymom]

mep319 , I know what the rules are and I am prepared if I would have to turn on laptop. In all my flights I have never been asked to turn on laptop or cell phone. I was asked if my bottle of water was sealed once. I have been through large and small airports and it seems that the smaller ones are the toughest on security issues.

 

[mep319]

Wasn't directed at you...just posting what was on the website. I usually fly out of Philly and it seems I have been asked consistantly in the last 18 mos.

 

[CarolA]

That is amazing about your DS. Sounds like he is getting targeted. I fly almost every week and have not been asked to turn mine on in years. My cell phone is on, but no one has ever looked at it.

That said, I did have one that would not turn on without a plug at one point and you can ask to plug it in if they want to turn it on.