So I recently bought myself a nice new laptop. Absolutly love the thing.

I'll be flying Southwest on Monday, and plan on taking this thing with me. But I've never flown with a laptop before, never mind with all the enhanced security and all. What is the proper procedures and all for going through security?

Also, for a Southwest carryon, I'll have my laptop case with me obviously, but am I allowed to bring anything else on? I was thinking maybe a small bag with some snacks. Would that be okay? I'd rather not put that stuff in my case


Thanks!

Welcome to FT.

For secruity, you remove it from the bag and they will scan it by itself, no hassles at all. Have it out when you get to the line so you don't have to hold up the people behind you, and just put it in the bin and slide it through.

There are many common schemes out there where people grab your laptop while you are delayed by their friend holding up the security line, they are still popular, so don't let it go into the machine unless you are sure you can get through the line, else it may be gone before you even know it's gone.

I had a chance to grab two this weekend on a flight, it totally amazed me people would leave them that far from their eye sight.

Q #1, You'll have to take it out of the bag and put it in a plastic container (which is a crock of BS in my world...) but they make ya do it.

2. You can carry another small bag sure, as long as it does not exceed two, I believe. I don't fly WN (rather get a kick in the balls than fly more than 2 hrs with them) so I really don't know... Southwest forum can tell you for sure though.

Thing is... unless you're really small, or the laptop is really small, using one in coach is not comfortable by any stretch and I've read a few posts where reclining people have snapped monitors... probably won't happen but just an fyi.

I fly Southwest and you will be OK with your laptop case and a small item.

Welcome to FT! ^

With most domestic airlines, you get one carryon and one "personal item," with the personal item a laptop bag OR purse OR backpack.

For most of us on FT that means that largest rolling suitcase allowed in the overhead bins and a laptop bag that goes underneath the seat in front of you. It does not mean: one rollaboard + one laptop bag + one shoulder bag + two shopping bags from Bloomingdale's.

Enjoy your flight, especially your thimble of soda and peanut.

Thanks everyone! I pretty much figured I'd have to take it out of the case, but wasn't sure if I'd have to turn it on or anything. Knowing the lines at MCO, I'd rather not be that stupid tourist that holds everyone up.

Just make sure you don't send it through the scanner until there is nobody between you and the magnetometer. How not to get your computer stolen:

1. Remove all metal, shoes and belt from your person so you don't get stopped and scanned yourself.
2. Wait until the person ahead of you in line gets safely through the magnetometer.
3. Send computer through scanner.
4. Walk through the mag yourself briskly.
5. Be there to meet your computer as it comes out the other side.
6. Secure computer in bag, then put your shoes, belt, etc. back on.

Are you sure? Bloomingdales Bags I could have SWORN are on the execption list as not counting toward your 1+1+ medical bag + Food for Immediate Consumtion bag - efffectively allowing up to 4 carry ons...



-Vincent

That's the US situation...

In the UK, you don't have to remove it from the bag, but in France I've had to boot mine up on occasion.

In my recent experience the bag scanners have taken so long to look at each bag on the X-ray that the problem isn't waiting until you can get through the metal detector, it's getting through the metal detector and waiting until your stuff finally catches up with you.

If you see that people are running ahead of bags, as they seem to be lately, put your laptop ahead of your other stuff on the belt.

If you see that bags are running ahead of people, as it traditionally used to be (and which the scam mentioned above assumes) so you have to wait to go through the metal detector, put your laptop on the belt last, behind your other stuff. Then hold onto it until the metal detector is free. You won't be holding anyone up - it's not like they can go through the detector before you do, and you'll go through it as soon as you can.

Maybe for considerate FTers, that's the case. But most of my observations in the real world is the largest rolling suitcase allowed in the over head bins with the outer pockets stuff so full it won't fit + a laptop bag (frequently a rolling type) that also goes into the overhead bin.

Just to add... Put the bin with shoes etc on first. Then the laptop. Then the laptop bag.

If you get held up.. well nobody wants your shoes. It bought you some time. Your laptop and bag are still together. Keep your eye on them!

Mrs BambooTom bought me a laptop "backpack".
It has a padded compartment for the laptop and two other compartments for
other things I want to carry on.
Plus about a hundred pockets for other things like the pwr supply and whatever else I need.
I dont travel without it and absolutly love it.
Here are a few links I looked up for ye.
My pack is a targus and it is similar to this, I think mine is last years model.
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TXL617
others to consider
http://www.ebags.com/backpacks/lapto....cfm?N=2003825
http://www.spireusa.com/
http://www.booqbags.com/index.html
http://www.meritline.com/laptopbackpack.html

Happy Flying
TR

Or your mini pretzel

ugh that's one of my top flying petpeeves... I never want to be 'that guy' that holds everyone up trying to get the bag which is something like a square meter larger than what's technically allowed.

I was flying with my brother who doesn't travel too much until recently (got a new job..) and overstuffed his bag and on an oversold LAX-DTW flight that I absolutely had to make (no bumps i could take ) i warned him to check it, so he won't be 'that guy' and he indeed did...