hi,

This will be the first time I will be travelling with my macbook.

couple of qns:

1) Do I check in the macbook together with my luggage or carry it onboard?
2) I have a separate laptop bag for my macbook and I do not want to squash it together with the backpack I wish to carry on board..so can I have two carry ons - my backpack for clothes and the laptop bag with my mac?
4) I am going from Changi to LHR and onwards...will I be asked to switch on the macbook or take it out and show them any such things by customs for them to check or whatever they do?
5) Do I put it through the x-ray machine, will it damage my apple and make it a lemon? I will also be bringing along an external HDD, will they x-ray it too?
6) I arrive at LHR Terminal 3 and then have to catch the next leg of my flight at Terminal 5..are the two terminals far away? Will I have ample time? How do I get from T3 to T5? I have a 2 hr layover at LHR.


Needless to say, I m sooo looking fwd to travelling on the A380 to LHR. It will be in economy but still its sweeeeet.

I guess everyone has a first time...this is mine...thks for any help

^

welcome to FlyerTalk Stormrage!
1) take as carry-on (if you ever want to see it again, that is in relation to any airport not SIN)
2) yes
4) you will probably have to take it out of it's case but not switch it on
5) they will be x-rayed and suffer no harm from the x-rays
6) someone else will have a better answer

The LHR website details very clearly the steps required to transfer from terminal to terminal. There are also numerous threads here on FT if you do a search for transiting at LHR between various terminals.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...lhr-t3-t5.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...-ba-t3-t5.html

2 hours may not be that much by the time you walk the corridors and pass through the various checks (and especially so if you require a new boarding pass, which I sometimes have to do whilst transiting LHR)

I have done the T3 to T1 transit in 40 minutes including a shower, but 2 hours would be a decent but not extravagant cushion, I suspect.

And don't forget that T5 is definitely a WBI terminal at LHR so you may want to prepare yourself. Word is that there is no opt out option in the UK even for medical situations.

Wow, thanks for the replies

What is WBI?

I am on the QF31 from SIN - LHR, arrives at T3

then 2 hrs+ later I have to take BA 392 to Brussels from T5.

do I get all the boarding passes in Changi? or do I have to check in and out my luggage and lug it from one terminal to another?

Anyone knows why we have to show our laptops to customs? the purpose of it?

Or is it one of those, just follow and dont ask too much questions thing?

WBI is what is called the NudeOScope here, as opposed to the more common outside the US/UK WTMD. You'll want to read up on that as many here choose to opt out of the WBI but there is no opt out option in the UK if you are selected. It is the scanner which may expose you to harm, and which shows more than you may wish to reveal about yourself.

Chances of being asked to show your laptop to customs are very slim, so don't get too worked up about it. Are you thinking of security, or of customs? Laptops are generally to be removed from the carry on for security, but most times customs doesn't ask to see them.

You should be able to check your luggage all the way through, but may need to pick up your onward boarding pass in LHR. 2 hours should be fine for all of that.

Customs might see me in all my naked glory???

I am not bothered about who sees my laptop customs, security or whoever..was just wondering on the rationale of it...anyway its not impt..just wondering

ok thank you, i will mention to the counter at changi when I check in and try to get a boarding pass all the way to brussels

thank you guys..much appreciated

Electronics and batteries should never be put in checked luggage. They are too fragile and also vulnerable to theft.

An ordinary backpack and laptop bag should be fine. You can check the size limits for carryon luggage for your airline on their website. If you also carry a purse, even a small one, you will probably need to squash it into one of the other bags, so that there are only two "items". LHR is known to be picky about this.

Is there a 3?

At the security check, you will have to take your macbook out of its bag; it goes through the x-ray machine separately, but no differently than any of your other belonging (i.e. in a plastic bin, not directly on the belt). It's extremely unlikely that you would be asked to turn it on. As long as your macbook is for your personal use, customs is not involved and there is nothing to declare.

The x-ray machine will not damage your macbook or HDD drive in any way. You should probably take the HDD out of your laptop bag, along with your macbook. It is extremely important to keep a careful eye on your belongings at the security check: with your things spread here and you there, it is a big opportunity for theft.

In any case, it is always a good idea to keep your computer data properly backed up.

Follow the 'flight connections' signs to terminal 5. You will probably be able to get the boarding pass for your connecting flight at Changi; if not, you will get it at the transfer desk. Carry a paper printout of your itinerary, to show your connecting flight. You can also look at the LHR website for more information

You will pass an extra security check in LHR; this may involve a revealing scan of your body, as well as your things. Try to avoid this, if possible, as radiation exposure is not healthy. If you are selected for this, it is not possible to avoid. If you are wearing a sanitary napkin or similar, you may be questioned about it. You will not need to go to passport control and immigration, since you are not entering the UK.

Two hours is sufficient, but not generous, for an LHR connection. If you are traveling on a single ticket, the connection will meet the airline's minimum connection time requirements and they will be responsible for forwarding you if the incoming flight is badly delayed.

Have a nice trip.

thanks neko for the info....

I am a guy but its good that ladies can learn something from this post too..