Would you pack your laptop in your checked suitcase?

[karensi]

Leaving for Disney in about 10 days. I mentioned to my daughter that I was thinking of taking my laptop in my suitcase. DD said that I would be crazy to do such a thing as she felt there was a good chance that it would be stolen. She suggested that if I wanted to bring it I should bring it as a carry on. I really don't want to do that as I already have enough to carry on with me and we'll be traveling with my 3 little grandsons, so the laptop would just be an extra thing to worry about and deal with.

Anyone have any experience with packing their laptop in their checked luggage? Would like to know how you made out.

Thanks,

Karen

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No way.

 

[Buckalew11]

No way. No, no, no!!

 

[Rora]

Don't do it!!

 

[honugirl]

Not a snowballs chance in heck I'd do that! I don't even pack my camera in my luggage. The only thing in there is clothes and toiletries. Stuff that nobody would want to steal.

 

[m&m's mom]

Would never even consider!

 

[NotUrsula]

Not in a million years.

Just FYI, the airlines will NOT take responsibility if something valuable like that goes missing from checked baggage. You would be out what it cost.

Get a simple sleeve for your laptop and put it in a backpack carryon. You'll just need to pop it out at security and send it through in a bin, but you can leave it in the sleeve. (Have the kids go through the line sock-footed, having put their shoes away before approaching the line. It is MUCH easier that way with kids.)

 

[Sandy V.]

No way, no how, would I ever pack a laptop, camera, ipod, or any other expensive electronic device in a checked bag. I put nothing in checked bags that I can't afford to lose or have broken.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Nope

 

[chisnpeke]

No way. That's just asking for it to be stolen.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not for a million dollars.

Has nothign to do with it being lost and everythign to do withit being easily damaged by the handling and shifting of luggage in the cargo area.

(Though it getting stolen is a close 2nd as to why I would not do it).

Yes computers get shipped--but they are packaged in such a manner to keep them from being damaged.

 

[diznygirl]

Nope!

 

[Imzadi]

OP, Do you know the big 3 airports leaving NY/NJ area xray all their checked luggage? I've seen them take the baggage off to another room & x-ray it. Newark was one of the airports the terrorists on 9/11 used. NY/NJ cannot afford repeats with bombs in the luggage.

I assume you will be leaving from one of them. If they x-ray it and someone sees you have a laptop in your bag, you can be pretty sure that bag will go "missing," or it will be razor blade sliced or the lock broken off (if it's a hard sided suitcase,) and the laptop will be gone.

I also don't think airlines accept liability for laptops and valuables, even if you claim it was stolen. Checking valuables is YOUR risk.

 

[PixieTopaz]

no way!! People steal-it happens


why in the heck do you NEED a computer on vacation?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

On my most recent (last week) flight back to MCO, the man sitting next to me told me that the Orlando airport was one of the WORST for theft.

He's taken to shipping his equipment (he's a videographer) and will not pack anything of value in his checked luggage.

From the potential for damage, to the chance that it will be stolen, I'd pack something else and carry the laptop.

I don't go anywhere without mine, and I always carry it on.

 

[4greatboys]

no way!! People steal-it happens


why in the heck do you NEED a computer on vacation?

Well for one you can use it to check in for your flight. We also watch movies on ours on the plane there.


No I would never check a laptop. I think you're just asking for trouble.

 

[MickeySP]

NOOOO!!!!!! DON"T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did and let me just say I had a wonderfully stunning crack right down the LCD screen when I unpacked it. I even bubble wrappped and made sure I had enough clothes for padding.

My luggage was subject of the random search, they unwrapped it and guess the rest.

PLEASE - carry it on, don't learn my lesson the hard way.

 

[RitaZ.]

No way!

 

[JESW]

My mini was packed one of our last trips and it arrived in Orlando with a cracked screen! So I wouldn't recommend that at all...

Jill

 

[PrincessInOz]

If you're taking the laptop to download photos, then the obvious alternative is to buy extra memory cards. A lot easier to carry-on and you won't need to take your laptop.

If you're using it to check in for your flight, then your hotel should be able to help you out with this - especially if you're staying on site.

If you're using it for in-flight entertainment, you'd want it with you; rather than checked-in.

If you're using it for checking your emails or for work, well....you're on holiday and if you've got 3 kids, you won't be working anyway.

Carry-on all the way for laptops, cameras, valuables.