External harddrive - security problems?
 

Hello everybody - first post here!

I will be flying from the US to Germany and plan on bringing an external harddrive in my carry-on, but will not have a laptop with me. Could this be a problem with security, as I will not be able to demonstrate and "turn on" this electronic device? Has anyone had any similar problems in the past? I am not sure if I'll be purchasing one of the USB powered models or a 5.25" disk and an external enclosure.

I searched through previous threads but it seems this has never come up before. I hope this is a good sign. :)

Thanks,
Florian

I've taken my external hard drive to several countries without any problems. I always take it out when hand carrying for x-ray (like a laptop). Can't even remember how long it's been since they've required one to power up laptops.

Happy travels.

You should be fine. These days I have not seen anybody asking you to
turn on anything to demonstrate system's safety.

Nobody's asked me to demonstrate anything post 9/11. I've had an external HD in my laptop case for years--it's never been looked at one bit.

Pre 9/11 I was a couple of times asked to turn on my laptop and I've had security people look through the viewfinder of my SLR. (And had a bit of hassle with one who didn't believe my camera because she couldn't see anything through it. Of course you can't when there's no lens attached!)

Great, thank you for your responses! I was hoping that it would be no problem but just wanted to make sure.

That is too funny. :D

Florian