NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm moving to college, which is on the other side of the US... and my precious, precious computer is a desktop.

I have decided that I won't ship it, because after some investigation found that it meets the requirements of a carryon. However, I am still concerned about whether they'll let me take it through. Will they think it's like a bomb or anything and start using the metal detector and screw up my HD? Am I being paranoid or is transporting a desktop PC as a carryon something of a rarity these days?

I'm moving to college, which is on the other side of the US... and my precious, precious computer is a desktop.

I have decided that I won't ship it, because after some investigation found that it meets the requirements of a carryon. However, I am still concerned about whether they'll let me take it through. Will they think it's like a bomb or anything and start using the metal detector and screw up my HD? Am I being paranoid or is transporting a desktop PC as a carryon something of a rarity these days?

Call whatever transport you are taking.

Usually with laptops they run it through the X-ray machines and sometimes will ask you to boot it.

The xray machines are havn't damaged my laptop yet and it's been zapped a few times here and in other countries.

Now if you were going to India, I would be concerned. They did wipe a PDA once. ;)

Call whatever transport you are taking.

Usually with laptops they run it through the X-ray machines and sometimes will ask you to boot it.

The xray machines are havn't damaged my laptop yet and it's been zapped a few times here and in other countries.

Yeah... See um... how will I be able to boot a desktop? Considering I'm planning on putting all the cords and accessories (keyboard and the etc. in my checked baggage).

But yeah... I think calling them would be the best idea. I haven't really thought about doing that for some reason...

Although to not kill this thread with that above remark... How many people have transported a desktop as a carryon?

Yeah... See um... how will I be able to boot a desktop? Considering I'm planning on putting all the cords and accessories (keyboard and the etc. in my checked baggage).

But yeah... I think calling them would be the best idea. I haven't really thought about doing that for some reason...

Although to not kill this thread with that above remark... How many people have transported a desktop as a carryon?

I kind of figured you couldn't boot it. ;) That's why I said call the carrior.

The Woz used to buy seats for his computer but that was a long time ago. :)

The Woz used to buy seats for his computer but that was a long time ago. :)
Desktop?

You will be able to carry on your desktop. As long as its able to fit in the overhead bin the airline won't trouble you. As for security, give them a heads up before you submit it for xray and they'll probably do an additional test and let you go on your way. I've had my laptop go through with no probs.

As for security, give them a heads up before you submit it for xray and they'll probably do an additional test and let you go on your way.
Good idea. Thanks.

Oh and on another note, I called American Airlines and it seems their customer service guy really doesn't know whether its ok :( It's obviously unusual to carryon a PC...

I hope there won't be any problems.

I've had friends do it and I've even seen it, so don't worry about the airlines. What are you going to put your desktop in? If you put it in a suitcase, make sure you've got enough padding. What are you going to do with your monitor?

I've had friends do it and I've even seen it, so don't worry about the airlines. What are you going to put your desktop in? If you put it in a suitcase, make sure you've got enough padding. What are you going to do with your monitor?
Well if I put in any case it'll be too heavy... And I don't have any bag that fits... So I'm thinking of some makeshift paper/plastic bag tied with rope for handling and the etc. I doubt anything bad will happen to it in the overhead compartment. The monitor, I'll bring in a small bag that'll be my personal item like a laptop with a bunch of papers. (It's a flatscreen and I'll just unscrew the stand to fit it).

Well if I put in any case it'll be too heavy... And I don't have any bag that fits... So I'm thinking of some makeshift paper/plastic bag tied with rope for handling and the etc. I doubt anything bad will happen to it in the overhead compartment. The monitor, I'll bring in a small bag that'll be my personal item like a laptop with a bunch of papers. (It's a flatscreen and I'll just unscrew the stand to fit it).
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/5aa4/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/38a4/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/5aa6/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/37dc/
You mean something like one of those?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/5aa4/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/38a4/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/5aa6/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/37dc/
You mean something like one of those?
Yeah kinda... but improvised from stuff I already own.

How exactly do you think your PC got to the store you bought it from? (or shipped to your house via online vendor?). Pack it up nicely in a box with styrofoam and FedEx it. You'll thank yourself after you consider how much work it would be lugging it around airports.

How exactly do you think your PC got to the store you bought it from? (or shipped to your house via online vendor?). Pack it up nicely in a box with styrofoam and FedEx it. You'll thank yourself after you consider how much work it would be lugging it around airports.
I don't want to pay 30 bucks for shipping.

EDIT: Actually with the monitor and the box and the padding it'll be probably around 50.

When I went away to college, I packed my monitor and computer in a box surrounded by my bedding. Pillows and blankets work really well. I only lived thirty-five minutes away from home, though, so I didn't fly and I don't know how the carry-on situation would work. I do know how heavy desktop computers are to lug around and I'm not sure if you want to deal with that on the plane. I know shipping's expensive, but you might want to reconsider it. I can't even imagine dragging around a nearly fifty-pound computer at the airport in addition to my luggage.

When I went away to college, I packed my monitor and computer in a box surrounded by my bedding. Pillows and blankets work really well. I only lived thirty-five minutes away from home, though, so I didn't fly and I don't know how the carry-on situation would work. I do know how heavy desktop computers are to lug around and I'm not sure if you want to deal with that on the plane. I know shipping's expensive, but you might want to reconsider it. I can't even imagine dragging around a nearly fifty-pound computer at the airport in addition to my luggage.
I'll manage... somehow...

Hahah. I really wish you the best of luck. That was the most stressful period of my life, so I sympathize. I guess my advice is to bring your strongest friend or relative to help you carry your luggage and computer around the airport. You can also rent one of those carts to ease the burden on your poor back.

Hahah. I really wish you the best of luck. That was the most stressful period of my life, so I sympathize. I guess my advice is to bring your strongest friend or relative to help you carry your luggage and computer around the airport. You can also rent one of those carts to ease the burden on your poor back.
...

Well leaving LAX will be easy... cause my parents are both comin.

Boston... will be tough... Not only do I have to lug all that luggage by myself out of the airport... but I have to take the bus out of there... (2 hour bus ride to Dartmouth) and according to the schedule I'll have to wait for it for several hours. :(

My luggage consists of the PC, flatscreen monitor... huge roller bag of clothes and stuff... and a big hiking backpack...

:(

This ordeal will certainly either kill me or make me stronger.

http://www.thermaltake.com/accessories/xaserbag.htm might come in handy

(and thats my Rig's case w00t :D)