Ipod and Customs
 

I've read stuff on MP3 players being randomly confiscated by customs because of possible pirated material. I'm flying from the US to Germany in a couple weeks, what's the chance I will loose my ipod if i bring it in a carry on?

What do they do - go through your entire playlist, then find out where every single one of those songs came from? Hard to imagine that. Wouldn't they have to check the origin of the songs on the computer that your iPod is synched to, which you might not even have with you on the trip?

Personally, I've never seen a customs agent anywhere give an iPod a second look - how many millions of them are out there, to say nothing of other kinds of MP3 players and mobile phones that double as them? - but that's far from an authoritative answer. I'd like to see what anyone else knows about this.

(Welcome to FT!)

Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

They aren't going through the playlist looking for pirated music; they'd be looking for other files stored on the device. The chances of it happening are almost zero, but there is a very, very slim chance that they will want to search it. I would not let that chance prevent you from bringing it on your trip.

I've never had a problem carrying my iPod through customs. In fact, no one has ever asked if I was carrying one! My only problem has been finding a good set of noise cancelling earphones that will actually allow me to hear the iPod while on a plane.

Ah, there's your problem, Flyingmama. Forget noise canceling headphones, they only cancel a small spectrum of sound. What you want are noise blocking headphones. Check out the Shure line. They're a bit expensive ($100+), but worth it. I use mine to listen to audio books - in the subway - and I don't miss a word.

Though to be fair, I bought a pair of Audio Technica noise cancelling headphones for $130 a couple months ago - and they're wonderful for planes and subways. :)

There are a zillion threads in this forum about both kinds of headphones.

Sounds like TOTAL BS.

OP: Please forget that you ever read that stupid story.

Bose??
 

Any thoughts on the Bose headphones? I've got co-workers who swear by them. But if I can avoid shelling out 300 sheckles, I'll look at other brands of headphones to help me block out background noise on my flights and listen to music from my laptop/iPod/armrest.

Eric

Thanks for the help!, it makes me feel better.^ I'm good for headphones, I fly a bit in the U.S. but I haven't gone international since I got my ipod.