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Need Advice International Travel with a laptop???

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by webeadams, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. webeadams

    webeadams New Member

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    Has anyone gone through the airport security with a laptop? I'm sure it's pretty common but I haven't flown with a laptop in a long time.Can I pack it in my carry on and they won't check it? What would they do if it is gift wrapped? Will they make me unwrap it? Do you have to turn it on? Thanks in advance for any advice.
     
    webeadams, Jul 12, 2011
    #1
  2. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    If it's in your carry on you will need to take it out of whatever carry case it is in...I wouldn't chance wrapping it if you want in in your carry on bag.
     
    mamatothree, Jul 12, 2011
    #2
  3. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    If it's in your carryon, it will need to be removed and scanned by itself. If it's wrapped up or otherwise in a 'container', case, etc not TSA approved for such purpose, it will need to be removed so it can be identified as a working laptop and scanned by itself.

    I would seriously avoid putting the laptop in your checked luggage, unless you have a 'ruggedized' notebook that can support some serious knocking around.

    If you're worried about having your laptop in your carryon and having a customs agent have full access to it, you can use 'whole disk encryption'. I would suggest using a free, open source application called TrueCrypt and making use of its 'Plausible Deniability' feature: http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/?s=plausible-deniability
     
    Mr. Linux, Jul 12, 2011
    #3
  4. twohokies

    twohokies New Member

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    My international travel to several latin american countries there and back was not any different from my domestic travel. Don't wrap your laptop if it's in your carryon and be prepared to turn it on, though I never have. You do have to remove it from your bag (unless it's TSA approved) and put through the scanner machine separately in its own tub.
     
    twohokies, Jul 12, 2011
    #4
  5. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    any gift wrapped item in carry-on is subject to be opened.

    laptops in carry-on must be pulled out of their bag unless they are in a specific TSA approved style bag.

    They rarely do the 'turn it on' check anymore.. they just wipe it with the chemical test if they want to.
     
    flynnibus, Jul 12, 2011
    #5
  6. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    Note that entering a foreign country they are often able/allowed to look at your computer contents. Also returning from a foreign country the US is able to look at the contents I think I read in a news story once. My work laptop (provided to me) is completely encrypted.
     
    Mike-and-Kim, Jul 12, 2011
    #6

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