Flying Intl with Desktop and LCD- HELP!!
 

I have never done this before , as I usually travel with my laptop.

I am flying from Ohare to Mumbai with a lay over in Newark on Continental. So yup, the 15 hr monstrosity!!

I have a desktop that weighs about 8 kgs (yup, its quite compact) and a 20.1" LCD.

I was thinking of just packing it realllly well and putting it in one of my checked bags, and taking the lcd in original box as carry-on.

I read some threads on the TSA's itch to steal, and am confused as what to do.

Can I safely check the desktop?
Should I strip the pc, and re-assemble when i reach there (the case is the heavy part)?
Can i carry both the pc and LCD in hand?
Should I cargo the thing on the same flight?

All these questions...I would really appreciate some help!

Welcome to Flyertalk. :)

Airlines will not cover any damage or loss to a desktop computer or LCD monitor in checked luggage. Checking it would not be smart.

I'd send it air cargo, either with your airline or with DHL or FedEx or UPS.

Carryon? I guess you could, but it sounds like it would exceed your carryon allowance. Check with your airline.

Unless if you have some special computer or processor that you absolutely must use, for the cost of shipping it, you might as well buy a laptop for $500. That said if you pack it really well, it should be fine. Pack enough foam around the corners and clothing to fill all the gaps.

I guess carry-on
 

I just checked the carry-on policy at Continental - http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../carry-on.aspx

And they allow 40 lbs. I think the dimensions are fine.

So I guess that solves that...will it be a problem if I carry the LCD and desktop then?

Send it FedEx/UPS. It should get there on time and in decent shape if packed properly.

Shipping commercially would cost me close to $300. Thats 40% of the pc value.

Called TSA, and they told me that carrying the desktop in hand means taking it out and putting on conveyor belt during security check...like a laptop.....isnt that wonderful.

With LCD in hand also, but means similar treatment.

:), oh what a conundrum..

I am leaning towards the realllllly well packed side, but just the thought of theft has me worried

Oh and checked the Continental site....carry-on wt limit is 40lbs...

So im good....on that front...

travel with the hard drive (the data is what would presumably be of value to you) and pack the contents well if you can't ship it before hand. yes, things are stolen which isn't right, but the press makes it sound more prevasive then it actually is. damage is likely the biggest issue you'd have to deal with, but if you bought the items recently on a credit card you can get that damage covered too.

What is the computer worth?

If courier fees with UPS or FedEx are too high, you may just want to check it as luggage. Because of the size of the desktop and monitor, I doubt theft will be a serious issue. It is small items of value that normally attract attention.

Keep in mind you are taking a risk by checking it; if it is damaged, lost, or stolen, there will be no liability. That being said, I have safely shipped desktop computers and monitors in checked luggage both here in the US and overseas. I've never had any problems and even used Continental with a connection at IAH on one trip.

If you check it, the important thing is to make sure it is packaged properly and it is secure. Any chance you have the original packaging? Can you package it in that and then place it into a suitcase so that baggage handlers do not know the contents?

Otherwise, you can hand carry; if you do this, keep it in something easy to carry. Also find out if there are any luggage weight restrictions at the Mumbai airport for your return flight. While the airline may allow it, some overseas airports have further restrictions regarding size and weight of carry-on luggage.

Regardless of how you transport, make sure you have a backup of the hard drive, operating system, license #'s, etc., in case the hard drive does go bad during travel.

Edit to add: Welcome to FT, DryIce1.

I have traveled so so many times, and never had this issue in the US. I think it is only after I came to the forum, and did so digging, that I seemed to think of theft as an issue. But, thank you medic and the rest for your inputs.

SDF, cheers for the informative reply.

So you think the baggage handlers are the real issue. I do have the original packing, and I was going to use that anyways. I could easily conceal the contents of the box. But under the "scope" wont they be able to tell about the contents, and all that wiring will for sure demand a better look?

TSA pulled the cover off of the Cisco 2801 I packed nicely in my checked bag 2 weeks ago. They were so nice to disregard the note to not inspect without the owner present that was securely taped to the top and bottom. When they repacked my bag, they were so kind to pile everything (clothes, etc) on top of the open Cisco 2801 and place the top cover on top of the pile and put back in my bag.

Luckily, there was no immediate damage to the router and I was able to complete my task.

Your mileage may vary, but do so at your own risk.

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think theft will be a big issue, primarily because of size. You can't slip a desktop into a pocket.

Damage would be the largest concern, thus the importance of it being packaged properly if you do check it. The other concern would be how well will the TSA re-package it provided it is opened for screening.

The TSA will only see it once at ORD and it will be in their possession for a short period of time.

The only other concern I could think of is the luggage not connecting at EWR and then having to go thru the fiasco of filing a report, waiting to see if it arrives on the next flight, and then having someone deliver it to you at your location -- or going back to the airport to pick it up.

If it were me, I would probably check it - but everyone has a different level of comfort or level of risk they are willing to take. You could always check the LCD and carry-on the desktop, or vice-versa. I don't know how big the desktop is, but it sounds like a lot of hassle to carry-on both plus other carry-on belongings.

Ask yourself this: if it doesn't show upon arrival or is damaged, would you be able to get a new machine easily (without hardship) and restore your software / personal contents using a backup disk?

If I were to pick one to carryon, it would be the LCD if you were worried about any potential damages happening in transit. @:-)

Given the configuration of my pc - 12x15x5 (yeah i got it real compact) I am going to carry it on with my lcd...

both will be carefully wrapped in bubble and hopefully nothing will break.

Thank you all for the inputs...have a merry christmas...

Do you really need to bring the LCD? Can't you just borrow or buy one once you get there? Seems like a major pain to move some thing that can easily be found everywhere.