Tablet in checked bag
 

When I travel, sometimes, I don't feel like carrying my 9in Tablet (Nook HD+) with me, especially if I have my laptop with me so I check it in my checked bag. I've noticed that everytime I do this, I end up with a card in my bag informing me that TSA had to open and inspect.

Has anyone else noticed this with their tablets? I'm wondering if there is an alternate way for me to pack to avoid this issue. I typically just stick it between layers of clothes. My fear is that the delay may cause my bag to be delayed.

Now when I have it in my carry-on bag stacked on top of my laptop, no one ever needs to take a second look (going through TSA pre).

No, but I had a friend lose a laptop that was in a checked bag on an internal US flight. Personally I wouldn't risk packing something this valuable (valuable in terms of the item and your personal data on it) in a checked-in bag.

Good point, maybe they are opening the bag, then after finding out its not an Ipad, they decide not to steal it and put it back

All domestic US carriers exclude coverage for valuables including, specifically computers. If your Nook is damaged, lost or stolen in checked luggage, you are SOL and most baggage insurance + homeowners + CC policies exclude anything excluded by the carriers.

You should never place valuables in checked luggage.

As to TSA, it does not "have to" open your bag for secondary, but may well do so because so few people check electronics that it is likely a matter of suspicion that you do so. As you have found, the net impact is that you have a card from TSA saying they did it.

Forget TSA, I'd worry about it being broken.

By the way, when I first read the title to your thread, I thought you were talking about

http://www.aqualuxcarpetcleaning.com...uploads/11.jpg

The tablet's value isnt the conern of this post. It cost me $30, I don't have anything irreplacable on it. It's packed well so barring them losing the bag or it falling from 30000ft, I don't thin it will get damaged. Yes, if they steal it, then I'm SOL. I guess its crappy enough that its not worth stealing.

My concern is related to the fact that everytime I pack it, they decide to open my bag which may cause a delay in my bag arriving. I guess the only way to avoid that is carrying it with me.

Electronics will tend to get searched anyway. There's a good chance it's screeners with larcenous intent, though.

As a photographer I routinely pack several chargers for my gear as well as cords and extra batteries, cables, voltage converters, etc. and usually see the TSA love note in my bag when I get to my destination.

Any large chunk of metal will cause your bags to get opened for search. On the x-ray image, they can't tell whether it is a tablet or a bomb, so they have to open it and check.