Put Your Laptop on X-ray Belt Last, A Traveler Says
By Don Nadeau, on July 16, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
In an earlier post “How to Pass through Airport Security without Hassles,” I urged travelers to put their laptops on TSR security x-ray belts last, in order to better keep an eye on them, in case thieves are working the area.
Frequent traveler Joel Chusid, who travels more extensively than I do, disagrees.
Putting your laptop on the x-ray belt first, Joel believes, makes it less likely you’ll walk away from security without it, especially if it’s still making its way through the x-ray process.
This is his rather harrowing experience. I thank him very much for his input. You can decide what style works best for you, first or last.
Joel’s experience
“I used to put my laptop in last so I could keep an eye on it.
“On this Sunday evening, I went through security at DFW, removed the laptop and went through my usual routine. Went to the gate, which was nearby, and got immersed into something, newspaper or phone call, and then boarded the plane.
“I remember my backpack went under the seat in front of me rather easily, but didn’t think anything of it. After takeoff, I reached down, and my laptop was gone. I immediately realized I had to have left it at security.
My heart sank since I did not use a password to “lock” the laptop (I do now!), but I also remembered I had my name and phone number(s) on the bottom.
“The next 4 hours turned into the longest flight I had ever taken. When I arrived in Seattle, I checked my voicemail and lo and behold, I had a message on my cell phone and also my home phone from a TSA officer.
“I immediately called him back, and he acknowledged he had my laptop. I thanked him, and he said he would give it to lost and found and to call them the next day. I had a time getting through to them, but a friend who is a flight attendant happened to be at the airport and I called her and she went there.
“She confirmed the phones ring off the hook and to keep trying. I finally got through, and they went through some things to confirm the computer was mine (I had to give her specific things on there to look for since there was no password), and then she asked how fast I wanted it back. I said overnight. I had to give her my credit card info and I got it back the next day.
“Cost me $80 and a hard lesson learned. I put the laptop in first now, and keep an eye on it. I also use a password. I suppose if the checkpoint was really crowded, I would REALLY keep an eye on it, and might put it through last.”
You have to wonder how many people place no identification on their laptops.
Joel Chusid
Joel Chusid serves as General Manager, North America, for Hainan Airlines. Hainan operates an extensive network within China and from other countries to China, including nonstop service to Beijing from Seattle. Joel also chairs The Association of Travel Marketing Executives.
You may follow Joel on Twitter at @joelChusid and @HainanAirlines. You may follow me at @donnadeau.
Again, I thank Joel very much for his valuable input.
