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this thread reminded me of my first computer, an Apple //e that I hauled back and forth to college in the early '80's. It was lighter than some of those Dell 17" laptops now. I think it fit under the seat in front of me. Seat pitch was more forgiving then, and no one had to bring rollerboards. I bought a special bag so I could do carry-on. I had to check the monitor though (lovely green screen).
Fedex the computers! |
Welcome to FlyerTalk, FlyingDiver (a.k.a. joe)!
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May depend on what you mean by "computer"
Intending to gift his host in Thailand, JW returned to the shipping box in which a desktop had been sent him (through FexEx or UPS I don't remember) and paid UA's overweight shipping fee while the box accompanied him to BKK.
His first class tix did nothing to provide special loving care for the computer, however: it arrived with a kick-hole in the side. ! UA shrugged its collective shoulders, accepted >NO< responsibility and offered >NO< compensation. I think JW salvaged possibly one internal drive, but the rest became a bone-yard for swap-out parts. YMMV :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by nerd
(Post 14915724)
Welcome to FlyerTalk, FlyingDiver (a.k.a. joe)!
This thread reminds me of the first time I took a computer on an international flight. It was 1986, and it was a Mac SE. My company had some hard sided shipping cases custom made for these computers, and I checked it as luggage. I did get a form from the customs folks before the trip, so they wouldn't give me a hard time bringing it back into the country. :) joe |
Originally Posted by PWMRamper
(Post 14909534)
If you have to check them, put them in the middle of all of your clothing and the like.
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Originally Posted by neuron
(Post 14915267)
IIRC, computers/electronics are not among items that will be credited if your baggage goes missing. If you can afford it going missing or have insurance, than you can take a risk, but I am never confident that a five-finger discount will not take place, even with a TSA lock.
Personally, my computer would not leave my side, not even gate checking on RJs. I am not sure which iMac size you have, but I would really recommend seeing if you can fit one into a carry-on size luggage, if so, bring it on board. i have seen people carry desktops and large monitors aboard. I would be more confident that Fedex will get it to your destination. I think the only situation where I would feel comfortable checking desktops would be if you can "saran wrap" the baggage and ensure it arrives like that. I have seen this at international airports, but I am not sure how TSA would deal with this. The function of the plastic is two-fold: to make it a pain to get into the bag (meaning a crooked baggage handler may choose an unwrapped bag instead) and to make it immediately apparent that the bag has been opened (definitely means you want to open it up all the way and verify contents before leaving the airport). |
My business makes checking bags fulls of computers necessary. UPS/DHL would cost ~5X what the airlines charge for the excess peices in our case.
It is not safe. Sometimes I get stuff stolen. But most of the computers make it most of the time. 100% of my bags are opened by TSA 100% of the time. My best guess is TSA are the ones stealing; they have the best oppurtunity. |
What may be more important to you than the computer is the data. Make sure that important data is backed up, and no sensitive data is in the checked computer for thieves to find.
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Originally Posted by tjl
(Post 14916858)
What may be more important to you than the computer is the data. Make sure that important data is backed up, and no sensitive data is in the checked computer for thieves to find.
I always keep my laptop with all my inportant info with me in my carry on at all times. |
Originally Posted by Doc Savage
(Post 14911750)
What a strange comment. It is OUTSIDE the US where you are more likely to have the problem, particularly the third world. I suspect flights inside, for example, Switzerland or Scandanavia would be safest of all, but that is a pretty limited sample of countries.
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Originally Posted by Efrem
(Post 14909716)
Your chances of everything being OK are probably at least 90 percent. That explains why several people can post "I did it and I didn't have a problem."
That said, I wouldn't take the risk. To an experienced baggage handler, the shape, weight, and weight distribution (toward the center; feels different when you rotate them) of your boxes would be like a flashing red neon sign reading "Computer Inside." The great majority of baggage handlers are honest, but every occupation has its bad apples and a computer can be very tempting. Go with a shipping company. |
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