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Is Your Laptop At Risk While Traveling?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the use-more-bubblewrap dept.

Editorgirl35 writes "Here's an interesting story on DesignNews.com With last week's announcement that the British government thwarted an alleged terrorist attack planned for flights from the U.K. to the U.S., news that travelers are required to check their laptops as baggage on some flights has raised a new level of panic as they try to figure out the best way to protect their laptops."

5 of 413 comments (clear)

  1. Baggage Check? by nurb432 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wow, thats really safe..

    Some laptops ( and most pdas ) can turn them selves on at a predetermined time.. Just estimate the time for maximum impact, laptop turns on and detonates the 'extra' battery that is made up of C4.. now you have a nice big hole in the bottom of the plane..

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Baggage Check? by Aadain2001 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If that happens, instead of the plane blowing up you get the airport terminal. Either one causes damange, loss of life, and really hurts the international economy (extra 'security' at the airports). We just need to face it, there is no silver bullet or extra security measure we can take that will guarenty safty from terrorist attacks. At this point, we are getting zero returns on the extra effort and cost. I would rather go back to more customer friendly airports than have this illusion of protection we have right now.

      --
      Space for rent, inquire within
  2. Carry-On or Not At All by ewhac · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "I refuse to participate in your shared hallucination." -- Dilbert

    Fortunately I don't travel by air very often. And, as has been pointed out by others, the laptop ban has been lifted (wealthier, more powerful people than I have likely already informed the appropriate scaremongers what a losing proposition this was). Even so, there's no way I'm putting a laptop through checked baggage. Luggage gets lost. Luggage gets tossed around very roughly. And items are known to go "missing" from luggage.

    No. Not my laptop. It stays with me, or it stays home.

    Schwab

    --
    Editor, A1-AAA AmeriCaptions
  3. 10 minutes * 60 passengers by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Please arrive at your gate 10 hours early so that our one certified laptop cavity searcher can accomodate everyone...

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  4. Not worried about damage, but theft... by Hamster+Lover · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I fly quite a bit in Canada and would never check my laptop, iPod, digital camera or anything else valuable as I would be afraid of theft more than damage. I've never had a theft, but I have heard horror stories from people, mainly international travelers, that have returned home only to find a video camera, liquor, jewelery or some other item stolen from checked luggage.

    I do have a friend that works on the ramp, as it's called, stowing and retrieving bags from aircraft. He told me that theft isn't a problem domestically because they're watched so carefully with video cameras and security, but most importantly they just don't have the time or opportunity to pull someone's bag aside and rifle through it. He said international flights are a different story as bags are checked hours before the flight actually leaves, but he still doesn't think it's a big problem. I won't take my chances though and will continue to carry my digital/video camera and laptop onboard.