Laptop in Hold or Carry on luggage

[mixture]

Oh-oh, there's a fight brewing between two of PPRuNe's resident experts!

Trouble is, there's no argument to be had.

I know how manufacturers bulk-ship things.

I know how people who have to regularly shift around large amounts of kit (e.g TV companies filming on location) do things.

I know how I've done things (both moving my own stuff as well as shipping for others).

Putting stuff in the hold is absolutely fine. All you need is a little bit of common sense, no need for excessive amounts of bubble wrap or foam.

I'm fedup with people treating their technology as if it was some sort of new-born baby. Its not, you don't need to, all that you need is a modicum of common sense.

[DaveReidUK]

I'm afraid you're destined to loose this argument.

I lose plenty of arguments, but I've never been known to loose one.

[ExXB]

I think most modern laptops would be robust enough to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous baggage handlers (who are paid to do it quickly, not carefully)*.

But I'm concerned that a laptop with damaged batteries, could short and cause a fire in the hold. Probably not serious enough to destroy the aircraft and all souls on board, but bad enough to set off alarms, hydron fire extinguishers and consternation in the cockpit. A diversion would almost certainly be in the cards. An in-cabin fire would be equally serious but would likely be extinguished quickly and would result in less consternation and less likely to result in a diversion.

Nothing of value should ever be checked into the hold. I have had my bags pilfered a few times, usually when connecting, and having that put right is a tedious and seemingly endless struggle. I have never been satisfied with the airlines 'final' offer but never so dissatisfied that I would sue the bar-stewards.

The airlines tell you not to check valuables and it would be very difficult to get them to pay for loss or damage, for your valuable laptop. The liability will be all yours.

*Does anyone recall that Club lounge at Heathrow T4 that overlooked a baggage staging area? A few minutes watching the ramp-rats was enough to put you off ever checking baggage.

[mixture]

I have had my bags pilfered a few times,

The only time I've experienced third parties going through my bags is in post 911 USA where the TSA leave you a greeting card to let you know latex ensconced hands have rummaged through your underwear.

Nothing stolen, but still not a particularly enjoyable feeling when you open your suitcase to a TSA greeting card.

[DaveReidUK]

Many moons ago, as a young techie on the ramp at Heathrow, I remember being advised by older and wiser colleagues that one didn't ever linger near the baggage holds when the loaders were at work.

[Hotel Tango]

Had a brand new made-to-measure suit nicked from my checked bag at LHR many many moons ago. Should have worn it! Also had items of clothing nicked whilst my bag was in an extended transit through JFK many years ago. Since those days I have never put anything of value in my checked bag.

[fa2fi]

My view on baggage is if I can't afford to loose something or something is sentimental, then it rides with me in the cabin. If it can't fit in the cabin then it stays at home. In regards to LiOn I'd check them in personally but as they're always powering something that I couldn't live without then they usually end up in my carry on. I also ensure I'm at the gate first so I'm guaranteed my bag will fit in the cabin. Only aware of one airline go guarantee your carry on will fit in the cabin so unless I'm flying with said airline, I ensure I'm at the gate first. However if your battery is in good condition then I wouldn't worry too much about it being in the hold but if that device is important for your work or your business then I wouldn't take the risk.

[Capot]

IN-2014/205: Revision to CAA/FAA Lithium Battery Videos

The purpose of this Information Notice is to notify aircraft operators and agencies involved with the handling of cargo, passengers and baggage, that the videos relating to Flight and Cabin Crew and Cargo and Ramp (as detailed in paragraph 2.5) have been amended to reflect the prohibition on the carriage of lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft which takes effect on 1 January 2015.

This Information Notice supersedes IN-2014/117

The key phrase is "the prohibition on the carriage of lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft".

Now, if lithium batteries are so dangerous that they must be prohibited as cargo, it seems to me that they should be prohibited in hold baggage as well, whether installed in a device or separate. But I know little about the science behind it, so can anyone say whether that reaction is right or wrong?

[GrahamO]

Lithium batteries which are 'in a device' will often have protection circuits built in to protect the device in question from going unstable, hence why laptops, iPads etc can be carried in the hold.

If however they ship the battery on its own , in some, but not all cases, the battery doesn't have a protection mechanism so could run wild and explode. Bizarrely, if Amazon ship you a spare battery for a laptop, they won't tell Royal mail in the UK that its being shipped, but if you do a return item back to Amazon, Royal Mail will refuse to accept is because its a battery.

Portable recharge units for mobile phones must be in hand luggage and not in the hold for this reason.

Of course, the entire rationale is rubbish but it keeps the H&S folks happy.

[tdracer]

I had my suitcase go permanently missing on a business trip many years ago. I'd stuck my radar detector in the suitcase - the airline refused to cover the loss. They stated they were not responsible for high value electronics and that such items should be taken carry-on.
If I can't afford to lose something it goes in carry-on or it stays home (and I can't afford to loose my laptop)

[ExXB]

tdracer

Now that you have your valuables, your medicine and your documents safely with you in the Cabin, be aware that in the event of a emergency evacuation you will be expected, nay required, to leave those on board by the airline (and many Ppruners as well)

Despite there being no empirical evidence that this enhances your safety or the safety of others.

[Hartington]

The lack of overhead space has already been alluded to in this thread. I have a camera backpack which has my DSLR, three lenses, flashgun, spare batteries, spare SD cards, a portable hard disc, laptop, various batteries and chargers and still has space for a book, light waterproof and one or 2 other bits.

So far, I've always managed to get it on board except on an Embraer 145 in the USA but then I had the laptop in a sleeve and the camera back pack has the camera in a removable insert. So they came out and went on board with me, the "rest" of the pack went in the hold, gate checked, and all was good with the world!

In terms of packing any, or all, of this gubbins so that it can be checked I would buy one of these Peli Products UK There is the theft issue but I came across someone in the US who used a Peli case and he took the view that the case, even in a plain vanilla version, stood out to a degree that shouted "steal me and face the consequences". Do I agree? Not sure. But he flew frequently, always with the case, and claimed never to have had a theft problem with that case. If the carry on rules are strictly enforced my camera back pack is going to be refused in which case the Peli seems to be my only solution (short of leaving stuff behind).

[Hotel Tango]

The only problem with the Peli case is that the entire case might disappear so that they can open it at their leisure later!