Laptop Question
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Programs: United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 122
Laptop Question
I am flying UA with my laptop computer on Friday. I hardly ever travel with it, do I still need to take it out of my bag at security? If yes, do I need to take anything else out as well? (Charger battery etc)
Thanks, sorry for such a stupid question.
Patrick
Thanks, sorry for such a stupid question.
Patrick
#2
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz



Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 18,093
Short answer - yes.
But I assume this will be moved to the Travel/Security forum, where it belongs. You can search there and find a wealth of information on this and other related topics.
But I assume this will be moved to the Travel/Security forum, where it belongs. You can search there and find a wealth of information on this and other related topics.
#3


Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: HNLICNSFO
Posts: 681
Actually, I think it depends on where you're flying. At HNL (and I'd assume, the rest of the United States), I believe they make me take my laptop out of my bag. I just flew ICN-HKG last week and I never had to take my laptop out at either airport.
#5




Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: Free Agent, Any Status is Accidental
Posts: 1,395
Every airport in the United States I've been to has ALWAYS asked people to remove their laptops (think it's a TSA rule). But usually don't take my laptop with me when I go out of the country, so not sure about international airports.
Nope.. you should be fine.
If yes, do I need to take anything else out as well? (Charger battery etc)
#6
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 72,612
All you should have to remove is your laptop (no cables, etc.) Supposedly, this is to make it easier for the TSA to see what's in both your bag and your laptop when x-raying them... although the dimwits at EWR have made me put my coat, shoes, hat, belt, etc. on top of my laptop before, thus defeating the whole "purpose" of removing it...
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boston
Programs: 1K scum
Posts: 146
In the US it is standard procedure to take the laptop out of the bag. Occasionally it will be checked with a swab for explosives causing a slight (1 to 2 minutes) delay. Outside of the US my experience is that the laptop stays in the bag and gets xrayed along with the other contents.
So in the US, before you get to the security check, put watch, wallet, belt, loose change, phone etc into latop bag and unzip laptop section. Keep boarding pass and photo ID handy. At the machine put laptop into tray and put shoes onto belt or in another tray. Then when you exit the security area pick up laptop, bag, shoes, other stuff and try and juggle it with BP and ID while you find an areas where you can re-assemble yourlself :-).
So in the US, before you get to the security check, put watch, wallet, belt, loose change, phone etc into latop bag and unzip laptop section. Keep boarding pass and photo ID handy. At the machine put laptop into tray and put shoes onto belt or in another tray. Then when you exit the security area pick up laptop, bag, shoes, other stuff and try and juggle it with BP and ID while you find an areas where you can re-assemble yourlself :-).
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Programs: United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 122
Thank you everybody for the quick replies. I guess I'll have to take it out, which I assumed, but I'm glad I can leave the cables and such in there.
Thanks again!
Patrick
Thanks again!
Patrick
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Originally Posted by Foster461
... So in the US, before you get to the security check, put watch, wallet, belt, loose change, phone etc into latop bag and unzip laptop section. Keep boarding pass and photo ID handy. At the machine put laptop into tray and put shoes onto belt or in another tray. Then when you exit the security area pick up laptop, bag, shoes, other stuff and try and juggle it with BP and ID while you find an areas where you can re-assemble yourlself :-).
JR
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: San Jose - SJC
Programs: UA blue
Posts: 273
Never traveled without laptop for last few years.
In US, always have to take the laptop out of the bag. Overseas, mostly Asia and Europe, never have to take laptop out of the bag as far as I can remember.
In US, always have to take the laptop out of the bag. Overseas, mostly Asia and Europe, never have to take laptop out of the bag as far as I can remember.
#11

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K, AA Gold, Amex Plat, Hyatt Diamond, *W Gold, Leader's Club (?worthless)
Posts: 210
Originally Posted by sjsharksfan
Never traveled without laptop for last few years.
In US, always have to take the laptop out of the bag. Overseas, mostly Asia and Europe, never have to take laptop out of the bag as far as I can remember.
In US, always have to take the laptop out of the bag. Overseas, mostly Asia and Europe, never have to take laptop out of the bag as far as I can remember.
#12




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 41,216
Originally Posted by sjsharksfan
..In US, always have to take the laptop out of the bag. Overseas, mostly Asia and Europe, never have to take laptop out of the bag as far as I can remember.
in LHR. Had to take it out (for US flights) in AMS, FRA, MUC, ZRH.
Also SYD had to take it out, AKL could leave it in.
Shoes go off in ZRH (for US flights), sometimes SYD, also had to take them
off in NRT once.
#13
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany




Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,198
different impression in Asia ...
Hm, I have to take it out of the Laptop bag in Asia, too (without need to take it out of the laptop bag TPE and PNH), but also in HKG, SIN, BKK and KUL. In SIN (on a flight to FRA) I even have to start the Laptop.
In DUS, FRA, MUC, BCN, ZRH, STR, JFK, EWR I have to take it out, in EWR (flight to SIN) I have to start the Laptop.
In DUS, FRA, MUC, BCN, ZRH, STR, JFK, EWR I have to take it out, in EWR (flight to SIN) I have to start the Laptop.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PDX, MSP and MCI
Programs: WN AList; Delta Nada; Hilton DIamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 400
Originally Posted by Foster461
So in the US, before you get to the security check, put watch, wallet, belt, loose change, phone etc into latop bag and unzip laptop section. Keep boarding pass and photo ID handy. At the machine put laptop into tray and put shoes onto belt or in another tray. Then when you exit the security area pick up laptop, bag, shoes, other stuff and try and juggle it with BP and ID while you find an areas where you can re-assemble yourlself :-).
As for the OP, the only thing you'll need to pull out is the laptop. Don't worry about the charger, USB stick, misc items. If laptop accessories are an issue, TSA will let you know. Also, don't place the laptop on the conveyer until you're ready to go through the metal detector. That way the laptop is never out of your sight except when it's in the xray machine.

