Originally Posted by GradGirl
What I don't understand is why the TSA doesn't provide padded containers for our very expensive and delicate equipment. We are forced to take our laptops out of their padded cases which were designed to handle bumps and drops. The screeners don't seem to treat the laptops as the fragile and costly items that they are.
My laptop's backlight bulb was broken last year after it was treated callously by the TSA at the BWI checkpoint. I lost use of the machine for two weeks while I sent it to be repaired. I'm sure others have similar stories.
Why can't we just have some soft foam for the plastic dish trays that we must put our electronic equipment into? Sometimes I am successful in putting my jacket or sweater underneath the laptop to cushion it on its bumpy ride, but often the screeners catch it and I get a scolding.
We have asked and are only allowed to buy one type of bin from the vendor.
As an FYI, many of the X-Ray machines (especially the Smith-Heimann) calibrates itself by backing the belt up then proceeding forward. This happens often especially if a bag is cut on the screen. This is not controlled by the operator so when putting your laptop on the belt make sure the belt is moving forward and don't just load it behind a bag and walk away. We have tried to position the tables so the items won't fall but sometimes they get bumped and moved. I have sent a complaint to the manufacturer and suggested some type of stop at the end but don't expect much.