You didn't? I guess you missed Bart's excellent explaination in Post #19.

I don't really know how to expound on that answer to make the reasoning any clearer. Perhaps Cliffs Notes are in order:

(Laptop + bag w/electronic paraphernalia = cluttered image) = bag check.
(Laptop alone = clear image) + (bag w/electronic paraphernalia alone = clear image) = no bag check.

Theoretically, there's no reason not to allow a laptop to go through if it's alone in a little padded case (and I try to allow that when I'm on xray), since the spirit of the rule is to clear up the images for the xray op. However, oftentimes people say that there's nothing in the case but their laptop, then I discover a case as cluttered as a full-fledged computer bag. They're probably related to the people who argue that I don't need a bag check on their bag because it contains a DVD player or X-box and not a laptop. (I don't care what it is; what I care about is that if I can't see through it then I can't see through it.)

It has something to do with the tapes themselves and the mechanisms involved I think. That's why we're not allowed to hand check VCR tapes.

Some airports in the US do require you to take your camcorders out.

As noted above it is because of what the laptop can hide under it.

Here is an interesting scanned image for you to enjoy...

It is a laptop, the image you see looks to be a gun, the reality is it is the heat sync.

http://www.zjstech.net/~library/2290...0Gun-img-3.JPG

http://www.zjstech.net/~library/2290...20(Medium).jpg

http://www.zjstech.net/~library/2290...20(Medium).jpg

Here in Australia laptops have to come out for screening, but they're very polite about it. I have a PowerBook and while I remove it from it's bag, I usually keep it inside a foam protective covering when I send it through the x-ray.

There's no yelling or barking that laptops have to come out and no shoe carnival either.

At the checkpoints they also conduct ETD swabbing / screening, but it is done at random, it is done efficiently, and they're polite about it. Last time I had an ETD swab done the screener just asked for my Surname, wrote it into a log, did the ETD swab, and I was on my way.

No requirement to show ID at checkpoints either as meeters/greeters can go through security in the domestic terminals - plus if travelling with carry-on only it's just as easy to check-in airside in the lounge (Qantas Club). Just hand them your FF card at the Qantas Club, they swipe it, and out come your boarding passes.

Travelling around Australia is a breeze and relatively hassle-free compared to the states.

SDF_Traveler

I've heard it, but I've always ignored it. No problems clearing security at SDF or OGG with a camcorder in carry-on despite screeners barking "laptops and camcorders must come out.."

SDF_Traveler

Yes, I can see how it looks like a gun. However, I don't see how whether it's in the bag or not actually makes a difference in how that heatsink looks.

I personally think it'd be dang near impossible to get a gun in a laptop. With most laptops being less than 1.5" thick, it'd be really difficult to get a gun in one of those without it being obvious.

Expect it at more airports in Europe nowadays, for that's what I've seen requested at every major European airport I've flown through in the last month or so, whether an EU member state's airport (LHR, AMS, CPH, etc.) or not (i.e., ZRH).

Concerns about explosives or bomb components perhaps?

Wasn't talking about that. I was just saying that finding a gun is pretty unlikely. MAYBE in one of those big honkin' desktop replacements that weight 15 pounds, but even then, I don't know that they're thick enough for a gun.

Filling a bay with explosives is much more plausible.

I posted the reason to the question. The posting of the pictures was nothing more than for your entertainment value. I gave no indication either way if it was in or out of the bag that it would make a difference. They are removed so that nothing has the potential of being hidden as laptops have a tendency to have parts in them that the x-ray has a hard time going thru.
If it is out of the bag, it eliminates any possibility for an item to be hidden.

As far as hiding a gun in a laptop, for the most part I agree with you. In fact, I think it would be hard enough to hide that it would deter from the effort to do so. We carry enough other stuff on us on a day to day basis that would be much easier to high a weapon in.

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Actually, it's VHS, Beta, and Super-8 camcorders that are to be separated.