Security with three laptops: this oughta be fun.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE, SPG Gold, HH D
Posts: 1,130
Security with three laptops: this oughta be fun.
On my normal work commutes I travel with two laptops: my personal macbook pro and a HP belonging to my consulting firm. My current client has just handed me a third laptop, which I must use to access their network remotely.
And I get to drag them ALL through the TSA in LAX on Friday morning.
Who wants to take bets on:
a) whether I get secondary inspection (drug swipes, pat downs, etc)
b) the over/under on the number of people who utter the phrase "you have THREE laptops!"
c) if I can restrain myself from responding sarcastically to the b) folks. "Yeah, those things tend to breed if you leave them alone long enough."
This is a record for me, though I do have a friend who once traversed Canadian security with four laptops. That one raised some eyebrows.
And I get to drag them ALL through the TSA in LAX on Friday morning.
Who wants to take bets on:
a) whether I get secondary inspection (drug swipes, pat downs, etc)
b) the over/under on the number of people who utter the phrase "you have THREE laptops!"
c) if I can restrain myself from responding sarcastically to the b) folks. "Yeah, those things tend to breed if you leave them alone long enough."
This is a record for me, though I do have a friend who once traversed Canadian security with four laptops. That one raised some eyebrows.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BMI based alternates CMI/PIA/ORD/IND/STL
Programs: AA Platinum Lifetime, Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 367
I don't see what the difference is if it is one laptop or 4 laptops. There are lots of reasons for people having to carry multiple laptops and once they are through the x-ray there isn't any reason to swipe them down or otherwise. Look in any travelling consultants carry on bag and you'll find a ton of electronics.
Your real problem will be keeping a close eye on so many devices and not having one stolen at the check point. I'd recommend sticking something on that is easily identifiable to you from a distance.
Your real problem will be keeping a close eye on so many devices and not having one stolen at the check point. I'd recommend sticking something on that is easily identifiable to you from a distance.
#3
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 565
I flew with three a few weeks ago, between SFO and LAS. It was no big deal. Each laptop got taken out and put in a plastic bin and x-rayed, and on the other side went back into my bags. Nobody cared.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE, SPG Gold, HH D
Posts: 1,130
Strange. I get comments frequently travelling with just two! I figured for sure three would get more reaction. Though I guess you're right.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Programs: DL,EK
Posts: 1,652
We traveled with two laptops, an external keyboard, extra batteries, 2 iPods, 2 phones, a camera, a coffee table book "The Life and Times of Sheikh Zayed" (given to us by a client), a rolled up Persian carpet, a Qur'an (also given to us) and a bunch of cables.
FRA-DXB-SEZ-PRI-SEZ-MRU-SEZ-DXB-CMB-MLE-CMB-BKK-PNH-REP-VTE-LPQ-BKK-SIN-PER-ADL (broken) SYD-WLG-AKL-SYD-DXB-KWI-PRG
The books were shipped home from BKK, but the carpet stayed with us. It was rolled up and had heavy plastic over it. At each point, it got a sticker saying "Sri Lankan Airport Security Checked" (for example). That carpet caused more concern than all the electronic stuff.
I have also traveled with three laptops on several trips between Europe and the US - no problem, but get everything lined up for xray and make sure you will not beep it so as to quickly gather things on the other side.
FRA-DXB-SEZ-PRI-SEZ-MRU-SEZ-DXB-CMB-MLE-CMB-BKK-PNH-REP-VTE-LPQ-BKK-SIN-PER-ADL (broken) SYD-WLG-AKL-SYD-DXB-KWI-PRG
The books were shipped home from BKK, but the carpet stayed with us. It was rolled up and had heavy plastic over it. At each point, it got a sticker saying "Sri Lankan Airport Security Checked" (for example). That carpet caused more concern than all the electronic stuff.
I have also traveled with three laptops on several trips between Europe and the US - no problem, but get everything lined up for xray and make sure you will not beep it so as to quickly gather things on the other side.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ?
Posts: 7,544
You won't get the secondary at LAX, but you will get a few stares and some casing of your stuff for possible theft. Oh, and maybe a backache.
I had to carry a company laptop plus a client laptop, and left my personal machine at home--I just avoided using the client laptop for anything personal, and the company laptop for anything too personal.
I had to carry a company laptop plus a client laptop, and left my personal machine at home--I just avoided using the client laptop for anything personal, and the company laptop for anything too personal.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: I work for the TSA
Posts: 848
We see multiple laptops all the time. Usually it's two -- I assume one for work and one for play! Even 3 shouldn't raise eyebrows, though.
Usually I'll tease the passenger that they're obviously working too hard.
Usually I'll tease the passenger that they're obviously working too hard.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 30
Hey folks.
I picked a helluva first post topic but here goes...
I just came across a link at the CBP site about laptop searches.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/ad...op_inspect.xml
Looks like the TSA guy should know...you shouldn't have any probs getting thru with 3.
Thanks to ALL here at FT for the useful info I've found so far.
Phil & Liz
I picked a helluva first post topic but here goes...
I just came across a link at the CBP site about laptop searches.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/ad...op_inspect.xml
Looks like the TSA guy should know...you shouldn't have any probs getting thru with 3.
Thanks to ALL here at FT for the useful info I've found so far.
Phil & Liz
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 456
The largest amount of laptops I've ever seen carried through security was 12. Each one was wrapped in bubble wrap and they were stacked in two neat rows of 6 in a good-sized rollaboard. By the time the bag followed the laptops through (each in it's own bin of course) it was empty. His biggest concern was possible theft, naturally, so a couple of us kept an eye on the first ones to come through until he was through and they were all together again.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 398
On my normal work commutes I travel with two laptops: my personal macbook pro and a HP belonging to my consulting firm. My current client has just handed me a third laptop, which I must use to access their network remotely.
And I get to drag them ALL through the TSA in LAX on Friday morning.
Who wants to take bets on:
a) whether I get secondary inspection (drug swipes, pat downs, etc)
b) the over/under on the number of people who utter the phrase "you have THREE laptops!"
c) if I can restrain myself from responding sarcastically to the b) folks. "Yeah, those things tend to breed if you leave them alone long enough."
This is a record for me, though I do have a friend who once traversed Canadian security with four laptops. That one raised some eyebrows.
And I get to drag them ALL through the TSA in LAX on Friday morning.
Who wants to take bets on:
a) whether I get secondary inspection (drug swipes, pat downs, etc)
b) the over/under on the number of people who utter the phrase "you have THREE laptops!"
c) if I can restrain myself from responding sarcastically to the b) folks. "Yeah, those things tend to breed if you leave them alone long enough."
This is a record for me, though I do have a friend who once traversed Canadian security with four laptops. That one raised some eyebrows.
You might consider affixing a 4' antenna type wand on each, similar to what you often see on shopping carts, so that the carts do not go astray. In this way anyone mistakingly taking your laptop could be seen from a distance.
Good luck, and while you are eyeballing your three laptops, remember to keep an eye on your other possessions. I mistakingly focused on my laptop on one occasion and "misplaced" my watch.
Stay the curse!
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: was ARN now BER
Programs: No travel, no cards. :(
Posts: 333
I'm hoping you go through easily. I'll be doing the same thing in two weeks at EWR.
And one of them is the EEE, so I'm prepping myself for the "it has no hard drive, what is it?!" issues.
I just gave my eldest child a simple computer bag, so I'm shopping for a new one. Should I bother with a TSA-friendly bag, or should I just get a callie-girl-friendly bag?
And one of them is the EEE, so I'm prepping myself for the "it has no hard drive, what is it?!" issues.
I just gave my eldest child a simple computer bag, so I'm shopping for a new one. Should I bother with a TSA-friendly bag, or should I just get a callie-girl-friendly bag?
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MSP
Programs: SPG Gold;NWA gold;Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,458
#13
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LIT, DFW;
Programs: AA PLT; HHonors Diamond; National Executive Elite
Posts: 3
#14
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,129
I doubt that will happen, fortunately. (Assuming you put them all in separate bins--leave them in the bag or try stacking them in one bin, and of course all bets are off!)
Depending on how many people are nearby you in line, I'd put it at 60-75% of them. That's been my experience traveling with multiple laptops and similar gear; the Ma and Pa Kettles just don't get why you'd travel with more than one.
Four beats me. I've taken two laptops many times when traveling for work, as I like to have my personal laptop along as well. Once had an LCD projector in addition to the two laptops, and the TSA guy at the x-ray made some silly remark about the amount of stuff I had (I also had a large-lensed digital SLR--so I had like 5 bins at that point!)
What I hate is when I get stuck with a desktop replacement model which is like 3" thick and weighs nearly 10 lbs. I wouldn't mind so much carrying extra laptops if they were little Viaos or similarly-slim laptops.
What I hate is when I get stuck with a desktop replacement model which is like 3" thick and weighs nearly 10 lbs. I wouldn't mind so much carrying extra laptops if they were little Viaos or similarly-slim laptops.
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: Recovering AA flyer, LT PLT 2.6 MM
Posts: 1,543
I take two and three through with enough auxiliary gear to make your head spin. Other than one retaliatory secondary in BOS, I haven't had problems, other than tedious repacking. The UK is great, the US sucks, most other countries are in between. I find it easier to deal with former/current communist/facist countries than my own.