Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Two Laptops through Security screening.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 21, 2009, 11:31 am
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 36
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.
private ryan is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 11:34 am
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
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.
LessO2 is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 11:43 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 234
I regularly take 2 laptops, and have on occasion taken 3. Aside from being back-breakingly heavy, there is no problem.
scolbath is online now  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 11:52 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 56
Originally Posted by scolbath
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.
n3farious is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 12:23 pm
  #5  
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
One per tray, nothing else in the tray, and you'll have conformed to the Communist Party's rules on laptops.
Spiff is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 12:30 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Louisville, KY, US
Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold
Posts: 6,106
Originally Posted by Spiff
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.
SDF_Traveler is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 1:38 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Homebase: CAE - Formerly, YUL
Programs: US CP, UA, HH Gold, Marriott Plat, DL, AA, CO, ++
Posts: 2,187
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
HereAndThereSC is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2009, 10:37 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 381
Originally Posted by private ryan
"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."
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.
QUERY is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2009, 8:25 am
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Originally Posted by HereAndThereSC
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
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.
mre5765 is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2009, 4:04 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,773
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
SusanDK is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2009, 6:58 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 8,289
have had no problems flying with a Mac and PC laptop.
neuron is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2009, 8:19 am
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Originally Posted by Spiff
One per tray, nothing else in the tray, and you'll have conformed to the Communist Party's rules on laptops.
Labeling the TSA as Communists is absolutely and completely uncalled for. The organization bears a much stronger resemblance to Fascism.

Mike
mikeef is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2009, 1:03 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Varies
Programs: Mariott Plat, *wood Plat, Hyatt Diamond, United 1K
Posts: 280
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.
btravel112 is offline  
Old Dec 25, 2009, 4:48 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
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).
Global_Hi_Flyer is offline  
Old Dec 25, 2009, 5:20 pm
  #15  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
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.
PTravel is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.