Laptop in luggage

I am sorry if this is the wrong Forum..I am not sure where to ask this...so here it goes.

I am traveling on Sunday to South America from France via Miami.

I have 2 laptops. My old Dell Vostro 1000 and my new HP Envy 15.

The Envy is traveling with me as my hand luggage, so I can get to work on it while I wait on the airport or on the plane.

What worries me is that I need to take both laptops with me. I already took out the HDD of the Dell and I am taking it with me and my eSATA with my Envy on a messenger bag (a Targus Notepac 200 Edition) where the Envy fits perfectly and the PSU, no more space for another laptop.

So I placed the Dell with no battery nor HDD on the bigger luggage surrounded by pants and clothes to protect it. Is it safe to do this?

Can I fly with ease of mind with the Dell on the luggage?

I also have a backpack where I could put both but I am a little hesitant on this matter. What are your suggestions?
Thanks!

 

Should be pretty safe
I'd have left the battery in the Dell.

The only component susceptible to shock is the HDD and if that is in your hand luggage that's as good as a protection as it will ever get

 

If you have the original shipping box it came in (I have all of mine) I would at least put it inside the inner box suspended in the foam.

Good call on the HD removal, but make sure it's also protected against static and shock too.

Myself, I would have them both in a backpack that was with me always.

 

I know, but the problem is the Envy doesnt quite fit inthe backpack comfortably and the backpack destroys my back when using for long periods of time.

I dont have the shipping foam, but I have some from other stuff...is it ok to use that? Wont I have any problems with the airport authorities for traveling with my laptop there?

 

Depends on the airport...

The original 'foam' suspends the notebook in the air so that any shocks are first transmitted to the crushable foam. If the foam you can use fulfills the same mechanical requirements, then it will be just as good.

Yeah, backpack = sore back!

Just make sure you bring copies of your receipts too for both your notebooks and any other 'electronics' you may be asked to pay duty on (when re-entering your country).

 

The biggest risk isn't the HD since it is powered off and its heads are parked. The biggest risk is the LCD panel getting smashed. If you've ever seen a plane getting loaded, the luggage handlers toss those things in rather carelessly; they don't have time to do otherwise. All it takes is a sufficient force applied to the lid to crack the LCD. If you have a "soft" suitcase, I would be nervous about putting a laptop in.

 

Hmm, something I never noticed with Lufthansa... but I can imagine it with other airlines - I wouldn't worry about the LCD too much as a properly packed bag will distribute the weight across everything.

 

What for? One of them is 30 months old or so.

The other one is 2 months old (from purchase) but one week old from power on...

I dont have the receipt of none of them, nor of both my blackberries nor the 2 cameras or the iPod...is that a problem.

One BB is 1 year old, the other is 3 months old.
One camera is 5 years old and dead, and the other is no idea...it is borrowed from a relative.

The iPod must be hitting 2 years now...

I did place the laptop upside down, with the LCD facing most of the cloth and cushioned by it, while the bottom is facing up, where the RAM, battery and HDD are. With a pan, an empty backpack on top of it for protection.

 

Yup, just wrap it up in t-shirts and ensure it's in a hard shelled case and strapped down inside that case. It'll be fine. I have done this plenty of times with notebooks, as I tend to buy expensive notebooks when in the US, even with the duty paid when I get back this side of the pond, still works out a lot cheaper. However, I often need to bring my work one with me (because I go there to work in the first place). I put the work one in my hold luggage for the journey back so that I can play with my new one on the plane. Inevitably my work schedule would not have allowed me to do much other than power it up before I head back home.

 

My biggest worry is customs. Will it be a problem to have 2 laptops? One old on my big luggage and a new one on my hand luggage? I dont have the receipts for them with me, since one is in EC and the other is in LON...

 

If you don't want your notebook(s) possibly confiscated or have to pay a huge 'duty' tax on, I'd get them faxed to yourself before you leave, just mho.

 

I don't see how its a problem if you use them - the old one you can dump the HDD inside it and boot it up.

And the Envy you use too.

One cannot expect people to carry receipts for everything, in fact if you have a safe place for them its a stupid thing to do as you may use lose them and they are your "warranty".

And if its used, can't see how its a problem...

 

Hmmm...for BOTH of them??

 

You know what I'd be more worried about with the US?
Their laws give them the right to copy your whole HDD with no reason at all...

All in the name of fighting terrorism - which you can't fight anyway - but let's not discuss that...

 

Yeah, that is political, and I dont want my thread closed...
So, what can I do?

Better yet, what should I do?

And even better, what would YOU do?

 

If its clear the items are being used I'd just not worry about it - you can't be expected to carry a receipt for every item you have - why not your clothes too? Your watch?

If you carry an item that is new, maybe even unopened - then that's a different situation - but else...

 

Hey, make use of the information any way you want.

All I know, is if its possible for them (customs) to make some/lot of money, they will.

BTW, I did say 'copies' and not 'original' receipts!

 

Hmm... I think I did read that they can overcharge you on watches...
The thing is though - I'm thinking that you will not pass through MIA customs - or shouldn't, only through customs in Equador.

 

I've never had issues with doing this at all - but then I'm happy to pay taxes on one of the machines seeing that it is brand new. In your case, having the receipt for your new machine would be enough; but in all honesty I doubt they'd ask. Only reason they ask me is because I keep the box it came in. I'm an honest person, what can I say.

 

I have mine without box...it has been used before...I asked around to some people outside who travel a lot, and seems like no problem at all...

 

An under statement if I ever read one. They are in fact, gorillas! KEEP ALL YOUR ELECTRONIC WITH YOU.

I've had my locked and secured luggage opened and returned with things missing. If you care about your laptop, don't leave it to the mercy of those apes.

 

I would not put electronic devices (especially laptops) into a luggage bag.
The luggage handlers indeed never take care with those and just toss those around as they are rag dolls.
Despite the fact of how well you 'protect' the laptop with surrounding clothes, if it's subjected to enough stress, it will likely suffer damage.

When I travelled from London to Zagreb last year, I had 2 laptops (old one which I had repaired and a newly purchased one) in my hand luggage (or to be more precise, in my backpack).
I had no problems at customs.
Generally, I think you are allowed up to 2 laptops in your hand luggage ... but going over that could arouse suspicion and have them stop you and ask questions.

With 2 laptops, I don't think you should have problems ... then again it IS the US customs, so they might be different (though the British have been just as nasty in the recent years, and if I had no problems ...).
You can always claim that one laptop is your work computer and the other personal one.

Avoid placing laptops in the general luggage as there's a pretty good possibility it can suffer damage like that because the bag in question will likely be put under A LOT of pressure.

 

I've yet to see anyone subjected to that despite flying somewhat often. I'd be much more concerned about damage to luggage - that is a common site.

I'd be more concerned about Israeli security measures when it comes to electronics than American ones.

Given the circumstances, it sounds like you're doing about the best thing possible. I would make sure to take measures to ensure no clothing snags on the laptop or vice versa.

 

Well, its enough to know that law is there.

I think the recommendation to business was fly in with an empty laptop and then get your data of the security server.

Its actually enough to not make me ever go to the US on holiday - the fact that they have the right to breach your privacy in a blanket measure without reason.

 

If it helps, I have successfully carried a Dell D630, Gateway 17" FX, Sager 9262 and Asus N80vn at once through the American, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean customs without being taxed or questioned very much. Most of the officers were just surprised as how many laptops I kept pulling out. All hand carry.

I must point out though, that this would differ from case to case. I didn't have an issue, but you might.

I don't believe in putting electronics in my luggage, as considering the "care" taken with luggage and luggage thefts, I do not feel comfortable leaving them in my bags.

 

You should try to carry both laptops with u... i wouldn't trust the lugage handlers... they might brek open ur bags and take ur laptop.. happened to me when i went to india this year but they didn't take anything (was anything good in there for them to take)..... You might have problems trying to get 2 laptops throught customs but if u can put 1 in a laptop bag and 1 in another bag with some stuff which u'll carry on ur back , i doubt they can make any fuss...

 

I already see a problem with that - two pieces of hand luggage - you often only get 1 piece.

 

Depends about which airline you are flying with as to whether or not a fuss would be made about carrying the two bags on. For example whenever I go to the US I try to fly American Airlines rather than British Airways because of the restrictions BA applies - even on their long haul flights, they don't tend to be as generous.

Items being stolen from bags - well yes, perhaps, but it's just as possible that the luggage goes missing completely. I've never had anything stolen from my case, and I have had a sticker on to show that it had been opened for random inspection. Make sure your case is only locked with a TSA approved lock if going to the US.

Worst case scenario, you've got the important thing - the HDD with you. Travel insurance would take care of anything else.

 

No offense, but I think you are a fool to place your NB in your luggage and to check it. As someone pointed it the screen will get smashed. That's if it doesn't get stolen first by any number of people inlcluding the airline employees and baggage handlers esp. through a third world place like Latin America. BTW, I suggest you buy a notebook roller case that can fit two machines and carry that on.

 

Not really. Most airlines will allow one piece of carry on + 1 laptop nature bag.

I.e. British Airways. http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_us

For me, I stuffed the two 17"s in my Slappa, which fit quite well. And the two 14"s in my messenger.

 

Interesting... Lufthansa only allows one piece, except for Business and First Class.

Oh and anybody flying from this place called the UK is allowed only one piece too...

Personally I only ever had one piece... even heavy ones and no problem yet

 

BA UK site.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_gb

Are you an infant of 2 years and below?

Haven't had an issue with backpack + messenger on any airline yet. Admittedly, I don't think I've flown BA with this particular loadout. Have flown SQ, ANA, TG, KAL, Delta with no issues so far, may have missed an airline or two, but basically that.

 

I'm flying Lufthansa - no BA flights where I go (to Germany from smallish airports) - also.. what I heard of BA... Lufthansa so far had great customer service

 

i thought ur usually allowed one laptop bag and one hand bag? There should be no problem...

 

The key word here is "usually". In most cases yes, but some airlines do not allow this, or only allow it if both bags fit inside the carry on sizing cage at the same time.

However, as Serg is going from France to Ecuador, I should imagine he'd be fine; generally restrictions on luggage, both checked and carry on, are more flexible with long haul flights. It does still depend on the airline though.

For example, American Airlines states that you can have one carry on bag and one personal item (such as a laptop bag), but both must be within weight restrictions when combined. However, they then go on to say:

Keep in mind

	At some airports, carry-on baggage may be more restricted.
	Additional limits may be placed on carry-on bags because of aircraft stowage capacity.
	Limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun.

In fact most airlines will also stipulate something along these lines. The only way to be sure is to phone the airline and ask them - and even then it's possible this could be altered last minute.

This is why in the past I have simply put one in the checked luggage and one in carry on; and I don't bother having the separate laptop bag. I've never had any problems with either laptop being damaged; but then I too have seen some pretty rough handling of these cases. I worry less about this though, because my cases are very expensive and incredibly sturdy - to the point that I can stand on them and they flex only a very very small amount - and jumping on them doesn't crack them because of that small amount of flex they do have. The sales person did this in the store to demonstrate them to me - was quite funny to watch and worth the money just to watch everyone look on in horror.

Of course, my boss always carries two bags and has never had a problem that I've seen. Pays your money, you takes your chances I guess.