Would you pack your laptop in your checked suitcase?

[StephyDee]

I'm in the same boat...I wanna take my laptop with me to upload my videos of the events during the day. I plan on taking my Flip Cam, which charges from my computer and there's no memory card, just internal memory I need to empty out every time I use it! For a split second I considered putting it in my checked baggage, since it's a macbook pro and quite heavy, but in the next second, I knew it was stupid to think it was okay. Not only would it easily get damaged (you realize how rough they handle our precious bags? LOL), but they most likely open up the bags to check for anything suspicious, and who knows WHAT could happen if you leave something valuable in there!

What I suggest doing is to find a messenger bag that has a laptop carrying case included with it. I have one that is PERFECT for carrying an extra set of clothes (in case ME decides to not bring me my bags on time! lol), a book or two, a few extra things, and some pockets on the sides to hold little things. It may not be the roomiest of bags, but if you want to keep your laptop, keep it with you at all times. I got my bag at Sears, but I'm not sure if they'll still have it, since I got it a few months ago. If you just search for 'messenger bags' on the sears website you might find it though.

As for it being too much to carry, is there another adult going with you that doesn't have a carry on? If so, they could carry it, and that way no one is left with too much to carry. If not, if your grandsons are old enough, could they? (I'm just throwing ideas out there, since I don't know all about the situation you're in. lol)

Good luck with your trip, and I hope you figure everything out soon!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

Only pack in the suitcase what you can live without forever...as in...the luggage can get lost and you may not see it again.

 

[karensi]

YIKES Guess DD was right. This is the first time I have seen so many Dissers in agreement on any one subject.

Thanks for answering. I'm thinking I will just leave the laptop home.
Oh, and in case anyone is curious as to why I wanted to bring it with me, I was thinking it might be helpful to be able to access TGM to get info in case we decided to have a change in our plans for any reason. So, really no big deal, it was just for touring purposes.

Thanks again, I may have tried it and would have been sorry.

Karen

 

[Imzadi]

As someone else mentioned, many hotels have Internet access with a computer terminal you can actually use. I was just at a Hampton Inn and I never thought they'd have a computer available for guests to use.

 

[C.Ann]

Not in a million years!! I've seen how they toss that luggage around - leave it sitting outside in all sorts of weather - and quite frankly, I couldn't really afford to buy a new one right now if something were to happen to mine..

 

[N&B'smom]

Never!!!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i would put it on CARRY ON luggage but definatly not checked luggage, they just throw that stuff all around they don't care what's in it at all.

 

[DisneyKT]

Not in a million years!! I've seen how they toss that luggage around - leave it sitting outside in all sorts of weather - and quite frankly, I couldn't really afford to buy a new one right now if something were to happen to mine..

You are so right. Last time when flying home our luggage sat out side at MCO in the worst weather. Everything was soaked through. It was a real pain.

 

[FireDancer]

God no I wouldn't. I bring my laptop on most trips because I take the pictures off of my camera and then send them up to either my Skydrive account or up to a NAS we have at work through our VPN. I wouldn't trust my pictures to a single point of failure which is what keeping them on a memory card until you get home is.

For the person who recommended using a hotel computer to check into a flight, I wouldn't use a shared computer for anything identity related or that requires a password. Perhaps I am paranoid because I am the I.S. coordinator at a financial institution but I know how easy it is to use a public computer to steal information.

 

[Geoff_M]

No.... way.

 

[zippitydoo]

No way would I ever put my laptop in my checked bags.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

God no I wouldn't. I bring my laptop on most trips because I take the pictures off of my camera and then send them up to either my Skydrive account or up to a NAS we have at work through our VPN. I wouldn't trust my pictures to a single point of failure which is what keeping them on a memory card until you get home is.

For the person who recommended using a hotel computer to check into a flight, I wouldn't use a shared computer for anything identity related or that requires a password. Perhaps I am paranoid because I am the I.S. coordinator at a financial institution but I know how easy it is to use a public computer to steal information.

Ditto, well except DH is the I.S. consultant. LOL

Hate multiple memory cards, we use them but I'd be afraid they would get lost. We take upwards of 5000-10,000 pics on a 10 day trip to Disney. I have to dump the cards.
We also lock the laptop up in the safe at the hotel. I won't leave it out in the room.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Oh heck no.

 

[PixieTopaz]

For the person who recommended using a hotel computer to check into a flight, I wouldn't use a shared computer for anything identity related or that requires a password. Perhaps I am paranoid because I am the I.S. coordinator at a financial institution but I know how easy it is to use a public computer to steal information.

I use it to print my boarding passes & pay the luggage fees

 

[Oglet]

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.

I made the mistake of doing it one time. TSA checked my luggage, and didnt pack everything back how it should have been and when I opened it up after my trip it was broken.

so as with the majority of people on here I would have to say NO WAY!

 

[FireDancer]

I use it to print my boarding passes & pay the luggage fees

Do you enter you credit car into the computer to pay those fees?

You can do what you want but in less then 5 minutes I would be able to get a program on most public computers that would give me access to every key stroke you entered which would get me user names, passwords, credit card numbers, you name it.

Anything beyond a Google search for a restaurant or directions doesn't get done on a computer I don't trust, and I don't trust shared computers.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is the first time I have seen so many Dissers in agreement on any one subject.

Terrifying when it happens, isn't it? This is the third time I've seen it.

 

[dzorn]

That's just nuts. Not only do you need to worry about theft but breakage.

Carry it on or leave it home.

Denise in MI

 

[FireDancer]

Terrifying when it happens, isn't it? This is the third time I've seen it.

If I remember correctly those other two times were breast feeding in public and spanking, right?

 

[Sparx]

No way. Laptops are fragile, and have you seen the way that luggage people throw luggage and cram it into the cargo area!? (That is, if it even makes it to the cargo area!)

Nothing that valuable would be leaving my sight.