Airport Security Machines
Will my iPad be harmed or damaged when going through airport scanners or x-ray equipment? If so, what precautions should be taken to protect the iPad. Thanks.
I work security at an airport:
First - put it in some kind of padded or protective sleeve.
Then:
1. No iDevice will be harmed by any x-ray machine. It MAY fog very high speed film. My stuff goes through 2 & 3 times a day 5 days a week (for like 2 years now) and haven't lost one bit of data.
2. An iPad or netbook smaller than about 16" or so ("standard size") does NOT have to be removed from your bag. However, if the TSO sees a cluttered bag he may ask the laptop be removed or the bag rerun or call for a search. Try to keep the laptop or iPad in an uncluttered section that you can lay flat (see #3 below).
3. I advise you get a "checkpoint friendly" (contary to popular belief this does not have to be a "specific" type or manufacturer) bag which is basically just any laptop bag where you just flip the bag open butterfly style and the section with your laptop in it lays flat by itself without any cables, batteries or other stuff (straps, metal buckles, etc) to encumber the image. That stuff stays in the other side pocket. You can also keep your laptop in a sleeve or protector and just drop it in a bin as long as there is no other junk in there to clutter the image.
4. You are allowed (though many airports don't like it) to place a LIGHT weight (suit) jacket on top of your laptop (to hide it from a snatcher's view?). just make sure there is nothing in the jacket pockets (cell phone, keys, coins, etc) to obscure the image. As I said though, some airports don't like this so you may want to ask first. "Hey, can I drop my jacket on top of my laptop?" Be sure NOTHING else is on top of or under it (newspapers, keys, coins, etc).
5. If for some reason your laptop gets knocked off the belt onto the ground ask for a supervisor and a claim form immediately.(even if there is no apparent damage right now). You may have to put the claim in on line if there is damage but get the Supervisor to sign a claim form hard copy or a comment card (Blue, postcard looking thing) which will aknowledge that your laptop did hit the floor. Makes it easier to get reimbursed if the supervisor acknowledges that it did hit the ground.
6. Full size games systems (PS3, etc), large DVD players, Cable boxes, PC towers, stereo amps, etc. (basically any larger electronics) should be treated as laptops and removed as above.
First - put it in some kind of padded or protective sleeve.
Then:
1. No iDevice will be harmed by any x-ray machine. It MAY fog very high speed film. My stuff goes through 2 & 3 times a day 5 days a week (for like 2 years now) and haven't lost one bit of data.
2. An iPad or netbook smaller than about 16" or so ("standard size") does NOT have to be removed from your bag. However, if the TSO sees a cluttered bag he may ask the laptop be removed or the bag rerun or call for a search. Try to keep the laptop or iPad in an uncluttered section that you can lay flat (see #3 below).
3. I advise you get a "checkpoint friendly" (contary to popular belief this does not have to be a "specific" type or manufacturer) bag which is basically just any laptop bag where you just flip the bag open butterfly style and the section with your laptop in it lays flat by itself without any cables, batteries or other stuff (straps, metal buckles, etc) to encumber the image. That stuff stays in the other side pocket. You can also keep your laptop in a sleeve or protector and just drop it in a bin as long as there is no other junk in there to clutter the image.
4. You are allowed (though many airports don't like it) to place a LIGHT weight (suit) jacket on top of your laptop (to hide it from a snatcher's view?). just make sure there is nothing in the jacket pockets (cell phone, keys, coins, etc) to obscure the image. As I said though, some airports don't like this so you may want to ask first. "Hey, can I drop my jacket on top of my laptop?" Be sure NOTHING else is on top of or under it (newspapers, keys, coins, etc).
5. If for some reason your laptop gets knocked off the belt onto the ground ask for a supervisor and a claim form immediately.(even if there is no apparent damage right now). You may have to put the claim in on line if there is damage but get the Supervisor to sign a claim form hard copy or a comment card (Blue, postcard looking thing) which will aknowledge that your laptop did hit the floor. Makes it easier to get reimbursed if the supervisor acknowledges that it did hit the ground.
6. Full size games systems (PS3, etc), large DVD players, Cable boxes, PC towers, stereo amps, etc. (basically any larger electronics) should be treated as laptops and removed as above.
