USA can seize travellers' laptops at the border
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: San Jose
British Airways is the only one to have insisted my laptop go as checked luggage
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From: Confoederatio Helvetica
… and MC99 (the successor to the Warsaw Convention) cannot be overwritten by agreement between the parties. (That's is there to protect you, not the airlines) The MC99 liability limit (SDR1131 aprox $1742) is likely to be higher than the cost of any laptop, but you won't be compensated for business or opportunity losses or loss of data.
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Back of beyond
2006, transatlantic aircraft plot.
The immediate reaction of UK authorities was to limit carry-on luggage to essential documents, with everything else checked in.
If the poster is referring to this, then it had nothing to do with British Airways.
OTOH, an American carrier tried to force the last 15 or so passengers boarding a flight from Boston to New Orleans to gate-check everything in their possession because the overhead bins were already overflowing.
Being one of the 15, I pointed out that I intended sacrificing my legroom by stowing my bag under the seat in front and that I was ENTITLED by conditions of carriage to 1 piece of carry-on.
End of discussion.
The immediate reaction of UK authorities was to limit carry-on luggage to essential documents, with everything else checked in.
If the poster is referring to this, then it had nothing to do with British Airways.
OTOH, an American carrier tried to force the last 15 or so passengers boarding a flight from Boston to New Orleans to gate-check everything in their possession because the overhead bins were already overflowing.
Being one of the 15, I pointed out that I intended sacrificing my legroom by stowing my bag under the seat in front and that I was ENTITLED by conditions of carriage to 1 piece of carry-on.
End of discussion.
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From: Canada
Joined: May 2007
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From: Europe
Originally Posted by PAXboy
What happens if authorities seize your laptop?
What happens if authorities seize your laptop?
So don't leave data on a laptop's hard disc, or at least on the HDD in the laptop that you travel with. It's so simple. Why do people do that?
Thread Starter
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Whilst I agree in principle, Capot, the chances of me losing my laptop - or of it being stolen - are greater than the chances of a govt taking it away.
However, the next generation will be living 'in the data cloud' far more than us and so the problem will reduce. Fortunately, since we know that the US and USA govts are already reading data in there - we don't have to worry about it.
However, the next generation will be living 'in the data cloud' far more than us and so the problem will reduce. Fortunately, since we know that the US and USA govts are already reading data in there - we don't have to worry about it.
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From: Europe
I should have been clearer; having no data on a laptop is a perfect defence not only against the TSA, but also against losing or giving away all your secrets by way of theft, forgetfulness, accident, fire, whatever could occur to a laptop while away from home.
There's nothing new about remote storage except that it's now called the "Cloud". I carry all the data I need on a trip on a 16Gb stick, as it happens. It means I do not need internet access to work. If I were to go to the USA I would take an empty stick with my empty laptop, and download all the data I want after saying hello to the TSA.
I know, they can get it anyway from the storage, but it's more difficult for them. I actually have no fears about the TSA taking my stuff; it's all the other reasons for not having confidential/sensitive data on a travelling laptop that are important.
There's nothing new about remote storage except that it's now called the "Cloud". I carry all the data I need on a trip on a 16Gb stick, as it happens. It means I do not need internet access to work. If I were to go to the USA I would take an empty stick with my empty laptop, and download all the data I want after saying hello to the TSA.
I know, they can get it anyway from the storage, but it's more difficult for them. I actually have no fears about the TSA taking my stuff; it's all the other reasons for not having confidential/sensitive data on a travelling laptop that are important.
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Toronto
If I had any data that I did not want disclosed to others, it would not be taken across any border. If a laptop was taken for inspection, I'd put it up for sale as there's no telling what hardware and/or software has been surreptitiously installed. Alternatively one could load it with the nastiest viruses imaginable inside a TrueCrypt partition with password: BillofRightsHahaha and act worried at the next border crossing
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Earth
I want evidence of this BA hold stuff. Sounds like a bit of a tall tale given (a) they don't like batteries in the hold and (b) The millions of business (and leisure) travellers who fly BA every year with their laptops.
I suspect we might not be being given the full story here... e.g. perhaps the laptop might have been encased in a wheely bag.... which the poster attempted to bring onto a busy flight and so was told he would have to check the bag.
There's this little thing called insurance. You might have heard of it. 
To all those people who naively think encryption is the solution to their woes...
I suspect we might not be being given the full story here... e.g. perhaps the laptop might have been encased in a wheely bag.... which the poster attempted to bring onto a busy flight and so was told he would have to check the bag.
f they insist on my laptop going in the hold then I'd insist on a written guarantee in writing for full compensation (regardless of Warsaw or any other convention) for a new one and my time to set it up should it not make it safely into my hands at the far end.
inside a TrueCrypt partition with password
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From: Canada
And, frankly, there won't be many TSA jobs, because no-one will fly to America any more.
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From: Earth
If the TSA start beating tourists to get their encryption keys, you'll have a lot more to worry about than what you might have on your laptop.
On a marginally more serious note, I think you very well know I meant they'll just stick you in a cell until you reconsider.
because no-one will fly to America any more.
'Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.' .... as one of their very own presidents said.
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Sydney
On all my travels abroad including the US nobody has ever bothered to check my lap top, I-Pad or I-Phone with the exemption of those friendly guys in U.A.E, Oman and other charming Middle East Nations ruled by the law of the peace loving religion.
