Practical Travel Safety Issues - Travelling with electronic/computer equipment

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question.

I am traveling to Europe from Canada and will be packing a computer power supply, and other pieces of computer components in my luggage.

I am sure they will show up once they pass security. I assume they will simple open up my luggage and take a look? How much of a problem for security can this be?

Thanks,
Greg

Unless you're carrying something unusual that shows up strangely on the xray they won't do any kind of additional checks on your bag (including looking inside). They see computer equipment all day every day. Of course you have to remove any laptop from the bag.. but as far as accessories they typically won't give them a second look.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question.

I am traveling to Europe from Canada and will be packing a computer power supply, and other pieces of computer components in my luggage.

I am sure they will show up once they pass security. I assume they will simple open up my luggage and take a look? How much of a problem for security can this be?

Thanks,
Greg

I assume this is carry-on? They'll want to see the big metallic components come out of the bag (like the PS). I have never had a problem once with computer PS and computer components in my carry-on (on Europe-US routes).

If this is in checked luggage, make sure it is not of high value. Never know what the baggage handlers will do.

When traveling with electronics of value such as computers, tablets, phones, and camera equipment, be sure to pack them in your carry-on. Never pack anything of value in your checked bags, due to the possibility of theft, loss, or damage due to rough handling.

When you pack a lot of electronics in your carry-on, it's best to pack them as neatly and efficiently as possible. Wind your cords and cables up and use some sort of cable ties (I like the velcro style but the twist style is just as good), and put any small, loose items like flash drive or memory cards into plastic bags or some other container.

Keeping organized makes it easier for the screener to see and understand what the items are when they see them on the x-ray screen. Keeping them neat makes it easier for you to re-pack for your return trip - or to re-pack in the airport if you should be chosen for a bag check.

Since laptops must be removed from their bags for TSA screening (unless you have a TSA-friendly bag, and sometimes they don't work, either), pack your bag to allow easy access to your laptop, without everything else spilling out at the checkpoint. Messenger-style bags work well for this, as you can open the flap, remove the laptop, and close the flap again, with only one hand, all while the bag is hanging from your shoulder. Clamshell bags don't work so well for this. NOTE: I don't know the policies for laptops in Canada or the EU; they may be different from the TSA policies which I know and love so much.

Fully charge all of your batteries - phone, laptop, tablet, iPod or MP3 player, cordless mouse, bluetooth headphones or headsets, and anything else you might use at the airport or during your flight - prior to packing. You never know when or if you will be able to find an electrical outlet to charge your devices while in transit. Keep the chargers in your carry-on, and any power adapters you might need, too - if your laptop runs out of juice, and you have the power cable, but you can't plug it into a European power outlet because your travel adapters are in your checked bag, well, that would be frustrating.

Back up any important files before you leave home, and encrypt or delete anything on your laptop, tablet, phone, or flash drive that you wouldn't want strangers to see. Whether it's embarassing adult material, or critical identity-related stuff like your credit card and bank account numbers, the Windows or Android password alone is not secure enough to keep your data safe. Something like TrueCrypt will keep your data safe from prying eyes.

If you use a smartphone as your music player, and want to listen to music in flight, make sure to pack corded earbuds or earphones - when you put a smartphone into "Airplane" or "Flight" mode to use it on a plane, the bluetooth cuts off, so if you have a fancy pair of cordless BT headphones like I do, you won't be able to use them on the plane.

Whoa... this got to be a novel - and I'm not even a road warrior like many here on FT!

Enjoy your trip!

Wenever I go through European Security, almost everything comes out of my Computer bag, and gets put in a tray. I have no problems with this, since I have everything in visual sight at all times.

I'm usually greeted by a person in a suit & tie, who is polite and respectful. They don't rudely demand you remove things. They *ask* politely. It's a totally different experience.

No problem at all.

If you mean a desktop power supply they'll probably have a look at it. Any such mass of wire tends to get looked at.

There's no rules against it, though.