Anyone flown with a computer before?

[Captain_Phil]

I am flying to my parents for x-mas and was wondering if anyone has every brought there computer on a flight before? Any tips?

I am going to try to find a box to stick the tower in and maybe do checked baggage if it won't fit in the overhead. I am going to take the HDDs out and stick them in my backpack packed with a lot of cloths.

I am flying Southwest Airlines from Spokane, Washington to Ontario, California.

 

[Snipeye]

Unless it's a laptop, you're going to have to check it in. Don't even bother trying to do carry on. What's going to happen is when you get to the security check point, it'll go through the X-ray machine. The techs will see the PC and pull you aside. Then they're going to have you disassemble the entire PC to verify there's not hidden compartment, nothing you can use to put together to create a weapon. And after all that, you may still not be allowed to carry it on the flight with you, and be sent to baggage check-in. Not sure with the hard drives; call the airline to see what's the best way to handle transporting them, if they should be removed or what. If you have the box the tower came in, that'll help a lot. Otherwise, it may be cheaper to just ship the PC back home to yourself and get insurance on it. Just DO NOT TRY TO BRING IT ON THE PLANE WITH YOU. You'll get delayed several hours, miss your flight, etc.

 

[Snipeye]

Some more info:
Carry on bags must meet the following requirements:

1. Each passenger is allowed to carry on one bag, as well as one personal-type item. This can include a food container, laptop computer, briefcase, purse, etc.

2. Southwest limits carry on bags to 10 x 16 x 24 inches. Anything larger than this is not permitted to be carried on, and must be checked in the belly of the plane.

3. A carry on bag must fit in the overhead storage or under your seat.

The following items are not considered carry on luggage:

1. Outer garments including hats, jackets, etc.

2. Assistive devices including crutches, canes, and other similar items.

3. Child safety seat for any child with a ticket.

With these guidelines in mind, it will be easier for you to plan your trip. Just remember, you must follow the requirements of Southwest airline as well as the TSA.

 

[xosniper]

Unless it's a laptop, you're going to have to check it in. Don't even bother trying to do carry on. What's going to happen is when you get to the security check point, it'll go through the X-ray machine. The techs will see the PC and pull you aside. Then they're going to have you disassemble the entire PC to verify there's not hidden compartment, nothing you can use to put together to create a weapon. And after all that, you may still not be allowed to carry it on the flight with you, and be sent to baggage check-in. Not sure with the hard drives; call the airline to see what's the best way to handle transporting them, if they should be removed or what. If you have the box the tower came in, that'll help a lot. Otherwise, it may be cheaper to just ship the PC back home to yourself and get insurance on it. Just DO NOT TRY TO BRING IT ON THE PLANE WITH YOU. You'll get delayed several hours, miss your flight, etc.

This

Get there early so you have plenty of time if you want to fly with it.

I would suggest shipping it. Safer, easier, and less time consuming at the airport.

 

[Muffs]

I would suggest shipping it as well, I would never take my desktop on an airline.

 

[Yolobot]

If you're going for a short period of time, then I don't recommend taking it. Too much of hassle, assuming it's a desktop.

 

[Blue Stealth]

I have checked a fully outfitted full tower computer on international flights, twice. If you intend to check your computer on the plane be ready to pay extra for overweight baggage (you may not have to, but don't be surprised if you do), make sure you surround your rig in Styrofoam of some kind (sheet or peanut type), and double or triple-tape up the box with heavy duty packing tape. I recommend the fiber-type packing tape, so if you use that, double taping should be more than sufficient.

If you are fashioning a box for it with cardboard (or other similar material), cut out some handles on the sides so that it is not thrown around by airport employees. Make sure that whatever you use is fully packed, so that its sides do not collapse.

I also highly recommend taking out all pci and pci-e cards and packing them individually either in the same box or a different one. RAM will not break off, so don't worry about that. Lastly, I would recommend encasing your tower in an anti-static/plastic bag for added protection. This will also guard against moisture.

If you have specific questions, feel free to shoot me a PM. And as has been mentioned already, carry-on is not an option. You must either check it on the plane, or have it shipped.

-Blue

 

[Bob Dobolina]

You will have to check it, but,lucky you, southwest doesn't charge for checked bags.