Flying with a computer

[disneydentist]

Bear with here. It's not really a computer but my daughter's digital music player, which has a 15 gig hard drive inside. Will it survive X-rays? What is the protocol for computers? I've never flown with anything more complicated than a Gameboy before.
Thank in advance.

 

[JackSkellington]

It will be fine. They might ask you to turn it on/or check it out. If it is a brand name item you should be fine (ie. iPod) The computer protocol is this. If you are gonna take it go right ahead. There is no law against it. In fact most airports have a sign that says you are allowed to take one personal item on the plane. Listed within this sign is a laptop, also a camera. So when you take it the Airport Security (AS) will look at it on their screens. The worst thing that could happen is that some memory is lost on the laptop because it is messed up by X-rays. This is only for portable memory usually. Check all your comp. accessories to be safe.

 

[Disney2002]

iPod's have harddrives which are much more durable against airport security than flash memory on other mp3 players.

I had flash memory for my camera, and I simply gave it to the guard instead of sending it through. I told him "I'm not lossing any pictures" and he understood. And this was 4 months after 9/11 so things were pretty insane at the time.

 

[cherrynegra]

I took my computer and iPod on my last trip and had no problems with it going through x-rays. Worked fine on the plane both ways as well.

 

[Worldphile]

The harddrive of a computer stores the data by manipulatig really tiny pieces of metal on the surface of the hard drive. Consequently, the magnetometer (metal detector) with its strong magnetic field poses a much greater risk to your MP3 player or laptop than the X-ray machine.

I've travelled extensively with my laptop and digital camera putting both through the X-ray machine and everything has been fine.

 

[disneygirl03]

It should be fine. My dad took his when we went and the only thing he had to do was take it out of the carrying case. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[JackSkellington]

You will be fine so take it and enjoy.

 

[popkid]

laptop, digital camera with compact flash cards, minidisc player and nomad zen (hard drive mp3 player) all survived many trips through the metal detectors

though i have had to turn them all on to prove that they 'light up'

gameboy survived everything as well

 

[disneydummy125]

I just got off of a plane(literally about an hour ago), and when you have electronics you can't use them during takeoff( don't know about landing) because of some radio signals but right after you get to cruising elevation (15-30 min. into flight) they let you use them.

Security might ask to see it when you go through the checkpoint, but don't worry it's just to see what it is.

 

[disneydentist]

Thanks all. At least now I know we'll get and the plane and I won't have to hear "where's my music"? That wouldn't be pretty. LOL.

 

[JackSkellington]

Originally posted by disneydummy125
I just got off of a plane(literally about an hour ago), and when you have electronics you can't use them during takeoff( don't know about landing) because of some radio signals but right after you get to cruising elevation (15-30 min. into flight) they let you use them.

Security might ask to see it when you go through the checkpoint, but don't worry it's just to see what it is.

The same applies for landings. The computers/electronics mess with the radio signals. So you have to turn them off during landing.