Two Laptops through Security screening.
 

Has anyone had any success/issues with attempting to pass two (or more) laptops during security? Is there any TSA regulations on how many laptops a person can bring through security at once?

The situation is that I want bring my work laptop and a netbook (which is a gift) from SEA-DFW this week.

Any comments are welcome.

Safe travels!

PR.

If the gift computer is still in a box, you'll have to take it out of the box to address the TSA's x-ray equipment shortcomings.

You'll be fine, just put them in two separate bins.

I regularly take 2 laptops, and have on occasion taken 3. Aside from being back-breakingly heavy, there is no problem.

+1
Usually a Mac and a PC. No worries. Safe travels.

One per tray, nothing else in the tray, and you'll have conformed to the Communist Party's rules on laptops.

The "party" seems to allow protective sleeves in the tray which contains said laptop.

I always keep my laptop in a protective sleeve that zips up, never once have I had a problem with the TSA here in the US, or screening overseas at numerous airports.

I've had the occasional idiot behind me think that I was trying to steal someone else's laptop... My response is always "work laptop, personal laptop".

HTSC

At MKE, I've seen a guy bring through 6 laptops, with like 4 other bags, for a total of 10 items. Had to see that one to believe it.

Seems like the TSA is damned if they do, damned if they don't when it comes to making sure the pax that placed the laptop ito the X-ray is the one who collects it. However, the problem is easily solved.

I hope there are TSO's reading this:

BLR handles lap top theft prevention right: every tray has a unique number, and the pax is handed a tag with that number. When the pax emerges from the WTMD, he hands his tag to the screener, who matches that number with the tray.

If carrying multiple laptops, I suggest putting a common label on them, such as a business card taped to the top. If concerns about ID theft are an issue, use a sharpie to blot out everything but the first name and company logo. That way if one is challenged during collection, one can point to the common label.

Both my husband and I regularly take two laptops each on both international and domestic flights - we both have Macbook Pros and Netbooks, and on our last flight purchased a MacMini that we also had in carry-on for the TATL trip from the U.S. (so 5 computers between the two of us). No problem.

Susan

have had no problems flying with a Mac and PC laptop.

Labeling the TSA as Communists is absolutely and completely uncalled for. The organization bears a much stronger resemblance to Fascism.

Mike

aside from being heavy as hell as mentioned above no issues.

no need for even 1 per tray rule. As long as nothing is obstructing the view of the laptop throught the x-ray machine you will be fine.

I have had my ziplock and a laptop in one tray and my shoes and another laptop in another tray.

I've been doing it for a year with no issues (except the one TSA screener at IAD that thought I was repacking my two laptops into by shoulder bag too slowly).

Just adding one more voice: I've frequently traveled with two laptops (plus a portable printer). No problem at all, except for trying to juggle all those bins.

I keep my MacBook Pro in an incase sleeve, and have never had any trouble with it going through the xray.. I also travel with two laptops, one PC and then my mac and have never had someone question me..

I'll be in a similar situation on my next business trip and I decided to get a checkpoint friendly bag for my personal Mac that is large enough to to hold the work laptop in the main compartment in its sleeve. Then all I need to do is pull the work one & put it in a tray and put the unfolded checkpoint thru with the Mac still in it. Figure this should cut the hassle and risk in half.

The sleeves are not a problem, just don't put cables, flashdrives, mice, whatever else in the sleeve with it. A new laptop in the box is dependent on how it's packaged. If the laptop is clearly visible, not an issue. If it has cables and other things sitting on top of it, it has to come out. Unfortuately the only way to know is to run it through and see how it looks. When I get new ones in the box through the machine, maybe 10% of the time they have to be taken out. For 2 laptops, 1 in each tray. Two stacked on top of each other don't give a clear enough view.