Checking 24" iMac as luggage
 

Don't laugh

I'd like to bring my 24" iMac on a nonstop flight.
I would pack it in the box that Apple ships it in.
(same box that goes through, UPS, Fedex & USPS)
The box is clearly marked as being an iMac computer.

My two concerns are; will it show up on the carousel and
will the luggage handlers treat it with reasonable care?

Having talked to Jetblue, they say marking things fragile doesn't make a difference and it will not be covered even if it is "lost".

Already, I am deciding against it, but maybe some of you have had better experiences.

I'd be more incline to ship a computer with UPS/FedEx. You are taking a big risk by checking it as luggage (in case of damage or theft). The shippers have a better tracking system, and I would argue the risk of theft is lower with them as well.

If you are really looking interested in continually taking your iMac with you, why don't you look into getting a flight case made?

I would not put an iMac, in it's original case, through checked baggage. You are just asking for it to be stolen.

I would never check anything of much value. Too much risk of theft or damage. Your computer in its original box might as well have a "steal me" sign on it in flashing lights

Yep, I understand.....I was just kind of hoping things might have improved and been better that I was expecting.

I've decided against taking it. To bad....

Considering I had a coworker whose laptop was recently taken from within a checked suitcase on a nonstop domestic flight, I agree that having it sent within the original box is just encouraging someone to steal it.

why not carry it on?
 

I would just carry it on.

While I don't need to check my iMac, I do leave it at the hotel for them to store for me until I return the following week. I have the same size mac. I obviously didn't want to just leave it in the original box, but it is much more protected that way.

What I did was find a suitcase that the box would fit in. After searching all day, I finally found one at Burlington Coat Factory. The Dockers 33" "Coastal Expandable," for $80. The original box fits inside, perfectly. It is a gigantic bag, and has room to spare on the top and bottom, but this way no one knows what's inside. It has worked great for me.

I'm still not sure I would actually check my iMac through on an airplane, but if you must check it, this may help to al least conceal the fact that there's a nice computer inside. If you decide to go this route, you also might want to check to see if this bag is small enough to check in.

Seriously, you must not like your iMac. I wouldn't even consider checking it. I check nothing of value.

Here are some videos on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOwnRWm8ud4 Image your iMac on the bottom of that pile.

This is normal handling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geeldwbn3jk
I don't care if its in the box it came in. Do u want your imac thrown around like that?

Nothing beats this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRFcbWdn360

I'm no Ms. Cleo, but if you check your iMac in original box, my prediction is
49.5% Stolen
49.5% Damaged
1% Arrives and is undamaged at your final destination

+1

TA, if you're mainly lugging your iMac between two destinations, wouldn't it be better to get a Mac Mini instead? I used one of these for a while and they work great, just buy a monitor for each location and then travel light. :)

That video is a good reminder for everyone that anything fragile that is not packed well is liable to be damaged if you check the luggage. A shipping company will handle something with more care. They (the workers and companies) have a lot more at stake than the airline workers and airlines.

When I check luggage, I pack it rather heavy so I doubt the guys are going to be swinging my bag so easily (thanks to the 70 pound luggage allowance for *G members on UA).

I can't believe this is even a question. I think this falls into the category of "if you're asking then you probably already know the answer."

Smart.

You were hoping for some magic advice from someone here. Instead, we just confirmed your worse fears.

Leave it at home or send it, insured, with some freight service. If you really need it at your destination for some good reason, you might consider renting one for the short time you are at the destination.

I think I have better ideas to shipped the iMac computer and there is problems at airport. They will steals the computer and if you have to do shipped the iMac computer on FedEx or UPS is more conveniently for you. Airport does not safe for you at all. TSA will accused to steals the computer. Because airport does not safe for you at all. Instead, this is better way that you can take iMac computer via UPS or FedEx. They will put fragile sticker on it for you. It will have save the times and they will arrived into final destinations cities. If you want to do choose for which the days when your iMac computer will right at the doors.