iPads and TSA - take out of bag or leave in? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Now keeping in mind this will only be my third time flying since 9/11, it seems like TSA keeps changing their minds about what to do with laptops/iPads. What is the current rule for iPads this year? I bought Abby a really nice bag for her iPad. Does the Ipad get taken out of the bag and put in one bin with the bag in a separate bin? Do I take the iPad out but can I put both in one bin? Can I leave the iPad in the bag? If I can leave it in it's bag, would it be frowned upon if I then put that bag in my backpack (because I think Abby will get tired of carrying it) through security? I'll obviously do whatever method I'm suppose to but I have to say I am concerned about it going missing. That of course would be stupid as I have Abby's name on the back basically in paint (so it couldn't be removed). Throw in the fact it's got a bright pink case and I think it would be highly noticeable if someone took it, but I'm still concerned. Is TSA good with keeping their eyes on things like that or no? If its' in the bag, I don't think it's going to be obvious it's an iPad but what do I know. Any advice/tips/experiences will be greatly appreciated. TIA
Only laptops have to be taken out of bags and put in a separate bin. IPAD, tablets, IPods, mp3 players, etc., can all be left in a carry on bag. This is how it's been the last 2 times I had to go through TSA security so I'm pretty sure you will be fine.
I've never had to remove my ipad from my carryon and I've flown many times with it. And I've never known someone to have their items stolen off the conveyer belt that runs through the scanner. Maybe it's happened, but I haven't heard about it.
You do not have to take it out of the bag. It will be fine going through security. Most of the time I get through the scanner before my bag gets through its scanner so I am waiting for the bag.
According to the TSA's website, iPads and other tablets get to stay inside your carry-on luggage. This is also the experience I have had when travelling.
From the TSA website:
Search Results For: iPad
Check or Carry-on
Please carefully pack your electronics items, making sure all cords are wrapped and any DVDs, CDs, or cassettes are removed from their devices. While you can pack expensive, fragile electronics items in checked or carry-on bags, we recommend packing them in your carry-on.
Laptop computers, full-size video game consoles, CPAP machines, full-size DVD players, and video cameras that use video cassettes must be removed from their carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening. Small and portable electronic items (smart phones, tablets, portable games, etc.) do not need to be removed from their carrying cases or carry on bags.
For items you wish to carry-on, you should check with the airline to ensure that the item will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.
Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.
Regarding things going missing/finding new homes without your permission:
It DOES happen. Theft of expensive things in the security screening is actually a problem, worse in some places than others.
I don't enter the human-screening until I have watched all of the trays with my belongings enter the x-ray scanner. I then try my best to be there when my trays start coming out the other side, but I at least WATCH them coming out until I am able to pick them up.
If you are going through with multiple responsible people, it helps because you have extras humans and eyes.
Some info about laptop security (easily extendable to tablets etc):
Finally, remember device security during other parts of your trip -- use the safe in your room or the safety deposit boxes (free at Disney) at your hotel's front desk (yes, they have ones big enough to hold laptops). Do some reading to learn why just locking it in your suitcase is not usually a great idea, and leaving it out in the open is even worse. Also, remember that theft is not the only issue -- copying data on a device is also a potential problem.
If the iPad case fits in a backpack, then putting the iPad in the backpack well before you get to the security line is a good idea. If you can't do that and are concerned about the case "disappearing," put it last among the items on the conveyer belt, send the other people in your family ahead of you if you can, and don't push the case under the scanner until you are ready to move through the passenger scanner. The rest of your family can keep an eye on the case if it comes out before you are through.
I just flew to Ft. Lauderdale last month and brought both my iPod and tablet and left both in my carry-on bag, and they, like others have said, were fine. If, by the time you go to fly out, anything has changed, the TSA agents will let you know.
Also, as far as worrying about your things while going through the security checkpoint, I tend to wait with my stuff -- which I have seen many TSA agents instruct passengers to do -- until it goes through the security scanner/belt. So, when I travel alone, I wait with my stuff until it all gets pushed into the scanner on the one side or, if I'm with DH, one of us goes ahead while then the other pushes everything through, and then we go through ourselves. I'm very much like you in that I'm not leaving my belongings to chance on either end of the scanner, and if someone has to wait an extra 30 seconds for me to make sure everything goes through on the one end, then so be it.
So, since you won't be traveling alone, I'd send someone ahead of the pack to be on the receiving side of the scanner/belt and then have you on the other end making sure everything goes in before you head on through the scanner yourself.
Also, as far as worrying about your things while going through the security checkpoint, I tend to wait with my stuff -- which I have seen many TSA agents instruct passengers to do -- until it goes through the security scanner/belt. So, when I travel alone, I wait with my stuff until it all gets pushed into the scanner on the one side or, if I'm with DH, one of us goes ahead while then the other pushes everything through, and then we go through ourselves. I'm very much like you in that I'm not leaving my belongings to chance on either end of the scanner, and if someone has to wait an extra 30 seconds for me to make sure everything goes through on the one end, then so be it.
So, since you won't be traveling alone, I'd send someone ahead of the pack to be on the receiving side of the scanner/belt and then have you on the other end making sure everything goes in before you head on through the scanner yourself.
iPads and tablets can stay in BUT my tablet has a keyboard that was attached which by TSA standards make it a laptop...it had to go back they again on its own.
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