Two laptops in one bag at PreCheck
Jan 1, 2015, 11:39 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
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Posts: 963
I've done two laptops + phone + tablet + power supplies + e-cig + its supplies all in a bag through Pre, never been asked to take stuff out except once going through the TSA-style security post-preclearance at YYZ where I was told my iPad and laptop had to come out.
Aug 2, 2015, 10:01 pm
#17
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Two laptops in one bag at Precheck
New one for me today. Going through Precheck @ DFW C20, I put my backpack containing two full size laptops on the belt. When the image came up on the agent's screen, he asked if I had 2 laptops in the bag, I said yes, he said he had to pull one out and run the bag and the 2nd laptop through separately. Said the image wasn't clear enough with the two machines on top of each other.
I've probably cleared Precheck 40-50 times with the double laptop, and this was the first time I've encountered this. Was this a one-off from a bored agent, or have others here run into this?
I've probably cleared Precheck 40-50 times with the double laptop, and this was the first time I've encountered this. Was this a one-off from a bored agent, or have others here run into this?
Aug 3, 2015, 2:15 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
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Posts: 722
It appears as if they were professional about it. I had the same issue in STL a few months ago, and the guy pretty much held my bag for a few minutes. It took me specifically asking before he told me why. The guy behind me commented "I thought you didn't have to do that anymore" to which I replied "Guess they don't follow the rules here." The STL TSA agent heard me and wasn't happy.
Aug 3, 2015, 2:54 pm
#20
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It appears as if they were professional about it. I had the same issue in STL a few months ago, and the guy pretty much held my bag for a few minutes. It took me specifically asking before he told me why. The guy behind me commented "I thought you didn't have to do that anymore" to which I replied "Guess they don't follow the rules here." The STL TSA agent heard me and wasn't happy.
If they can't see the image for whatever reason, they pull out whatever is blocking the image and run the two items separately.
Seems sensible.
Aug 3, 2015, 3:24 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite/Lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum Medallion, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 722
Communication is the key. Had the STL TSA agent asked me right away about the bag(or the two laptops) I would not of had an issue. It's when he held my backpack to the side for a few minutes without saying a word is what pissed me off.
Aug 3, 2015, 4:26 pm
#23
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Aug 3, 2015, 6:19 pm
#24
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He was professional, and the rescan only took an extra minute or two. Mostly I'm annoyed because I just bought a new backpack, which I mostly like but where removing a laptop is a bit less convenient than my previous bag. If I had expected removing one of the two computers would be a regular thing, I might have opted for a different bag, but never having encountered the request before (except when Pre- was closed), it wasn;t something I expected.
Aug 3, 2015, 10:07 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
He was professional, and the rescan only took an extra minute or two. Mostly I'm annoyed because I just bought a new backpack, which I mostly like but where removing a laptop is a bit less convenient than my previous bag. If I had expected removing one of the two computers would be a regular thing, I might have opted for a different bag, but never having encountered the request before (except when Pre- was closed), it wasn;t something I expected.
Aug 4, 2015, 2:21 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 464
I regularly have 2 laptops in 1 backpack, however, it's the "Checkpoint Friendly" type that has a lay-flat section. I'll put the bigger one in the separate compartment, unzip it to lay flat and the smaller one in the main bag section with all the other junk I carry.
Aug 4, 2015, 4:12 am
#28
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Jul 9, 2016, 2:02 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 63
Just went through Pre at RIC. Was told that I absolutely could not have a laptop and my iPad in the same bag, that this has always been the policy for TSA Pre everywhere, and that I should never do it again.
Been going through Pre for three years now and have never heard of this policy before. I chalk it up to lazy x-ray operators who don't want to click an extra button to look closer.
Been going through Pre for three years now and have never heard of this policy before. I chalk it up to lazy x-ray operators who don't want to click an extra button to look closer.
Jul 9, 2016, 2:48 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
Two laptops and a tablet all on top of each other, in addition to a DSLR, phones and chargers underneath: no issues at EWR precheck.
I did once leave my tablet in a bag at LHR (I was somewhat tired after a TATL), that forced a rescan of the tablet AND bag, in addition to explosives swabbing on _every_ single device I was carrying.
I did once leave my tablet in a bag at LHR (I was somewhat tired after a TATL), that forced a rescan of the tablet AND bag, in addition to explosives swabbing on _every_ single device I was carrying.