Ipod and Customs
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
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?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,037
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!)
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!)
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
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.
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.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,872
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.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: montreal
Posts: 305
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.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
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.

There are a zillion threads in this forum about both kinds of headphones.
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.
#7




Join Date: May 2001
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OP: Please forget that you ever read that stupid story.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
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Posts: 731
Bose??
Eric

