Aby The Liberal

Dmitri June 12th, 2007

I have dealt with questions which frequently come up when planning a travel with laptop. For details you can check my other posts in the Computers section. If you have any more questions post a comment here and we will add them with their answers to the list.

Can I carry a laptop as check in baggage in planes?
Yes you can, but it carries the risk of getting stolen or facing the extreme handling of check-in baggages. Your laptop is best kept with you in the cabin as a hand/cabin baggage as it is safe from theft or torturous handling this way.

Check in baggages stacked in at Atlanta International Airport (Photo by TripCart)

Can I use my laptop on short haul flights?
Yes, you can use your laptop on short haul flights if there is enough battery power available and the airline permits using it while on flight. It is best you confirm the case with the airline while booking or while boarding the plane. Normally all electronic items are switched off before take-offs and landings. Laptops can be used while in the air a while after take-off and a while before landing when the announcement is done.

Will airport security screening hurt my laptop?
In most cases, no. The baggage security screeners at airports use X-rays unlike the magnetic metal detectors used to screen humans. X-rays are safe and harmless to laptops and would not cause any damage to the laptop in normal circumstances. Keep a backup of your hard disk in case the screener uses magnetic fields which could corrupt data (such scanners are very rare, however).

How do I back up my data?
There are several methods of backup your data. The simplest method is writing data to a storage media. You could use optical media like CDs and DVDs to write your computer/laptop data into them. You could use a portable/external hard disk to back up your data from your laptop. You could use a USB thumb drive to back up data (but in case of large amounts of data it might not have enough space).

Can I use Wi-Fi hotspots while travelling?
Yes you sure can. But you have to remember, open and public hotspots like those in coffee shops, airports, parks, etc. are usually unencrypted. This means your private data can be spied on or stolen by data thieves and hackers, in that case sensitive transactions are best left to secured internet connections.

For more tips on traveling with laptops and other computer tips, keep an eye on the Computers section of this site.

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Dmitri May 15th, 2007

This is a continuation of my previous articles on how to care for and use your laptop while on travel by air. We are done with the packing and airport check in for the laptop so far, the next stage is the travel in the airplane itself. Read on….

Stowing the laptop
After you board the plane, stow your laptop under the seat in front of you. Avoid putting it under your own seat as the divider could make it complicated. If possible keep it off the overhead storage as someone who boarded the plane after you might jam your laptop in with their heavy baggage. This can cause damage or at least hurt your laptop. It is also safe to have your laptop under the seat in case of a turbulence.

Do Not Turn On the Laptop
Keep your laptop off until the pilots or the attendants announce it is safe to turn on electronic devices. If there is no announcement, ask a flight steward or air hostess if it is time you can turn your laptop on. Turning on your laptop during takeoffs and landings can interfere with the aircraft’s electronic communication devices and endanger your life and that of passengers.

Turning On Your Laptop
When the announcement to turn on your laptop blares, you can open the front tray and place your laptop. If the tray is too small or the passenger in front of you lowers their seat or your laptop is a bit large, this might be a problem. In that case you can either use your own lap or keep your laptop off till you reach the destination.

Battery Life In Air
You can use your laptop as long as the battery lasts which might span the entire flight in short and medium haul flights or a part of the flight in long haul trips. In some airlines, laptop charging points are provided in business and/or first classes. In Boeing 747s a plug in socket is present near the exit door which you may use if you are lucky enough to get the seats near the exit.

So there, keep waiting for more and meanwhile Happy Flying

Dmitri

• Technology , Computers
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