I think various posters are stating that you should be prepared for the possibility because rules and implementation differ by location. Even if the rules do not require it, security officers have a range of discretion. If you cannot do this by yourself it would seem prudent to choose a different case to use when flying.

^

That makes sense and I will look around for a case that I can handle in this situation. However, I don't have any plans to fly to LHR anytime soon.

Going through NRT, the security officers at the screening area don't request that I take my iPad and Kindle out but they will always ask if there is a tablet in the bag, I say yes, they remove both items from the bag itself and rescan. So as a habit after 2-3 times of them doing this, I just remember to remove both the iPad and Kindle in NRT only so I'm not delayed at the c/p.

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I fly thorough LHR maybe 7-10 times a year and that has never happened to me. Although a lot of this type thing is hit and miss. Including a screener at JFK telling me "for me you have to take it out of the bag".

My wife and I recently flew through LHR and both of us were required to completely remove our iPads from their cases. As near as I could observe this was happening in the adjacent security lines as well.

Regards

P.S. On a separate but related topic, I must say that for all the whining about TSA in the United States, going through security at LHR was perhaps one of the most demeaning/humbling airport experiences I've ever had.

Thanks. Maybe it's new. I haven't been through since maybe October.

In terms of the OP, rather than something like an Otterbox, which I use for my iPhone by the way, for the ipad I use a Smart Cover and put the whole thing in an iPad Travel Express from Waterfield Design (sfbags.com). Works great, very protective and it holds cables and such as well. It is also a breeze to remove covers and replace. The whole Travel Express fits nicey in my briefcase or backpack.

In CDG, FRA, DUB, and LCY I have been required to remove my ipad from my carry on, but no problem leaving the SmartCover on.

In the USA and BLR, I have never been required to remove my ipad from my carry on.

You have to remove it from your bag in the UK and Switzerland, and for good reason - it's hard to see through an X-ray image of a PCB to what's hidden underneath it in a bag.

"Large electronics out" is one of the few security hassles I do actually agree with, having seen what a laptop looks like on an X-ray scanner.

Neil

LHR is a nasty airport full stop. It's overfull of people who are not happy to be there (passengers and staff).

Smaller UK airports tend to be staffed by much more polite people. I think it helps when they have a large proportion of holiday traffic (=people who want to be travelling and aren't in a hurry). In particular I find almost all of the security staff I have encountered at LTN to be polite and cheerful.

That said, one way to ensure they are not is to argue with them - you are guaranteed to get nowhere (they have no authority to waive procedures, nor should they have) - if there is a complaint to be made, make it formally in writing after the event.

Neil

No. I went through once in late December and twice in early January. All three times, I was required to take my iPad out of my hand luggage and put it in its own tray, but was never asked to take it out of its case.

I think it's probably as much a bit of hit and miss as TSA here in the U.S. Best to be prepared (i.e., if you have a case that's difficult to remove, don't use it when traveling), but I don't think you'll know for sure what will happen until it happens.

Actually for some reason UK Airport security does make you take the ipad out. Its happened to me more than once

I was 2 for 2 on being instructed to take my tablet out (and a little 7" one at that) when going through Heathrow in October.

Never seen that anywhere else.

I take EVERYTHING out , first how hard is that anyway ?

So 1 or 2 iPads , a 7 inch Galaxy Tab , a Kindle , my Toughbook and I just got a Galaxy note and I am not sure if its a Phone or a tablet ......

If there is any problem it is I end up with 3-4 bins that need to go thru the scanner since they do not want them stacked on top of each other.....

I have never been asked to take them out of their cases but even that would only take 2 minutes.....

at least they do not want to see my cameras, GPS , MP3 players , phones and chargers for the above .....

With more and more of this stuff, I think there needs to be a technology solution (i.e. better scanners).

Probably have to worry less about them being too powerful these days, as few people will be carrying film cameras.

Neil