Taking a desktop PC aboard a passenger aircraft

[daverme]

Maybe I misread you Roy, but did he take it with him as carry-on of check it?

Dave

[voogru]

why dont you just get all the parts out of the box put them in sevral different boxes and pack them like you were gonna ship it. put it in a small luggage bag as for the case let them put the case it the cargo hold. nothing can possibly go wrong with it and if you loose it.. just buy a new case but watch out when i went to utah i had a Buch of old computer parts (i was carrying them with me) and the took out all the parts and had a bunch of people look at them too make sure it wasnt a bomb or something it took us like 30 mins to get past the security check.

also make sure you put the parts in ESD bags. because they wont hadle them good if they do take it out of the bag.


good luck

-voogru

[Roy]

It was carry-on. I agree that it should not be left to the baggage gorillas. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Toadman]

I'll be flying off for an annual LAN party very soon and will be taking my midtower case along with the other peripherals(No monitor)this year. I know a midtower case meets carry-on criteria size-wise, but would I be required to check it? I don't trust it being banged around in the cargo hold but if I'm relegated to that, any suggestions on packaging, maybe under the hood as well or bubblewrap the whole thing and pray to the Silicon Gods? Thanks for any advice. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[brandon184]

Hmm.. I wouldn't reccomend this at all, but if you feel the need to, I guess that's your perogative.

If it needs to go in the cargo hold, then I'd reccomend putting it in a LARGE box, wrapping the case itself with bubblewrap, using different layers and different sizes of it. Smaller bubbles close to the case, larger bubbles away. Then fill the rest of the box with styrofoam bubbles. Pack it tightly enough so that it won't bounce around TOO much. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

- Brandon

[Roy]

Solid state electronics are quite rugged.

A friend used to carry his PC aboard that way quite often. Bubble wrap (large type) and duct tape. He even formed a carrying handle with the tape. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 02-02-2001).]

[wangel]

I would not allow it to go into the cargo hold if you can carry it on. The temperatures in the cargo hold can be extremely cold or extremely hot. Not to mention with way baggage people kick and throw things around. I would just let them x-ray the computer and carry it on. No amount of bubble packing can save a lost computer.

[bhess]

I would carry it to the gate (wrapped in bubble wrap) then "gate check" it. That way it doesn't get thrown around. It is the last on first off in the cargo bin. it is brought up the jetway and will be there when you exit the plane.
And cargo bins are pressurized too. It's all the same air. That is where the animals travel.

[Szech]

I had a very bad experience with this. My sister took her computer with her when she came to visit me. They must have thrown it around, because the processor was out of its slot, and hanging by the power cord. If you do this, carry it on, so you know who's handling it (you).

[Warthog]

You can bet your **** that it will be thrown around A LOT.

Just one thing...you're flying to a LAN party? How big is this thing?

Warthog

[voogru]

otheos


Thats basicly the same as my idea...

[RenaissanceMan]

Here is the deal: stand your ground, do not let the airline "Xray" you box. Even though you are told that the xray procedure will not harm your components, that is not true. they can not make you submit to the xray procedure. take a nutdriver with you and be prepared to open your box for inspection. give yourself some extra time to check in because of the arguments that you WILL have.
Remember that your computer's components are sensitive to magnetic fields............
Remember that the airline personel are only doing their job and you wouldn't have it any other way.

[voogru]

do not let the airline "Xray" you box. Even though you are told that the xray procedure will not harm your components, that is not true

So is that why My digital Camra Has Benn acting Like a @$$hole since i went too utah? They did scan it 4 times! (4 Flights there and back)


ill sue!!!! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

-voogru

[otheos]

if you can't be bothered to take it apart and only check the case (and motherboard in the case) and keep the cpu/cards/hd with you, here's an idea:

wrap it with bubble wrap all around. before, open the case and fill it with some cloth or other volumous but light and soft material. This way all parts will stay put no matter the shock. Still! get the HD out and keep it with you (too many mechanical parts and it is actually G limited). you can take the HS/fan out too (since it may snap and damage everything it hits).

Good luck!

________________________
otheos: www.otheos.clara.net (http://www.otheos.clara.net)