Do you ever leave your laptop in your hotel room?
May 16, 2007, 11:06 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
I've never had a problem in a hotel room. I have had it stolen from my car, however. My laptop is something of a "beater" and all of my data is backed up regularly, so I'm not particularly worried about it.
When I leave the room, I leave the light and TV on (usually tuned to an all-sports channel) then hang the do not disturb sign.
When I leave the room, I leave the light and TV on (usually tuned to an all-sports channel) then hang the do not disturb sign.
May 16, 2007, 11:40 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,248
I figure I stand an equal or better chance in having it stolen from my rental car, so I leave it in my room. If it disappears, I will simply have to steal something of equal value from the hotel.
May 16, 2007, 12:07 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SC
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG
Posts: 199
I leave it. If it gets stolen I will replace it and hammer it out with the hotel and my insurance company. I just use it to stay in touch with the office and check my fantasy teams. TV on, DND sign on the door. Never had a problem, even when staying in Hamptons (or worse). I think the hotel staff realizes a laptop would be missed instantly and won't take the chance. More and more properties also have hallway cameras.
May 16, 2007, 12:10 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: LIT
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 169
One of the consultants on my current project will take his laptop with him even if we're going to the store or in a restaurant (rather than leaving it in the truck of the car with the rest of ours). So, everyone's a little different on this matter.
Now, if I was staying at a shady hotel then I might feel a little different. But anything on the same level or above a Fairfield Inn, I leave it in the room.
May 16, 2007, 12:11 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,686
I leave my laptop in a hotel room all the time. While it would suck to have it stolen, I long ago realized that the pain of having it stolen would be far less than the pain of lugging it around and worrying about it. If there's a safe that will fit it I will use that, but otherwise I just don't sweat it anymore.
Now I'd make an exception if I were in what I called a high-risk area, but to be honest, I try and avoid high risk areas in general.
Steve
Now I'd make an exception if I were in what I called a high-risk area, but to be honest, I try and avoid high risk areas in general.
Steve
May 16, 2007, 12:44 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
If I'm travelling with my laptop I'm generally staying in a "reputable" hotel (i.e. no hostels, YMCA, etc.). I've left it out on the desk commonly and never had an issue. I think any staff with fewer scruples still realizes that while a guest may not miss the change he dropped on the floor that gets picked up during cleaning he will miss his laptop..
May 16, 2007, 12:58 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Texas
Programs: Many, slipping beneath the horizon
Posts: 9,859
I generally leave my laptop in the room in most US hotels/motels. I do turn it off and have a secure start routine that would baffle all but a hacker for "security". It doesn't rerally have the special weapons codes in a subdirectories, and it would takea thief a long time to find little or nothing of interest.
Unless there's an in room safe, I wouldn't leave a camera, passport or any of that sort of "valuable" in the room. Abroad, I "split" my cash, debit & credit cards into two "wallets".
Other than short trips in the local area, I've stopped wearing my Rolex
Unless there's an in room safe, I wouldn't leave a camera, passport or any of that sort of "valuable" in the room. Abroad, I "split" my cash, debit & credit cards into two "wallets".
Other than short trips in the local area, I've stopped wearing my Rolex
May 16, 2007, 2:16 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: ATL / SJC
Programs: DL DM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 213
I always leave my laptop on the desk in my Starwood Hotel room (50+ nights / year), and have never had a problem.
I leave so many umbrellas in restaurants and taxis that I know the laptop is safer away from me.
I leave so many umbrellas in restaurants and taxis that I know the laptop is safer away from me.
May 16, 2007, 4:23 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Delta, Hyatt-Plat, Priority Club-Plat, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,271
May 16, 2007, 7:09 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
I always leave my laptop on the desk with the charger plugged in and I have never had a problem. Maybe I've been very lucky but in reading the 44 previous posts, nobody have had a laptop stolen so it doesn't look like a common occurence.