Can You Put a Laptop in a Checked Bag?

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Can you put a laptop in a checked bag? The answer to that question may surprise you.

Many people think that they can’t take their laptops on a plane at all, but that’s not always the case. You just need to know what type of laptop you have and where it falls on the TSA’s prohibited items list.

In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about traveling with your laptop. We’ll also provide some tips for making sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

So, whether you’re taking a vacation or flying for work, read on to learn more about checking your laptop baggage.

What are the TSA’s rules for laptops in checked bags

In 2017, the TSA had a ban on laptops in checked bags for flights leaving from eight countries: Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This travel ban was put into place to help improve airline security amidst fears of terrorist attacks. However, this ban has been lifted as of late June 2018.

Now, laptops are allowed in checked luggage on flights leaving from all airports around the world. The only exception is if you’re trying to take a laptop through security instead of checking it. In that case, you’ll still need to follow all TSA rules.

You can find these rules here. To sum it up, if your laptop is a standard laptop computer, the TSA allows you to keep it in your checked luggage. That means that if you’re using a regular old laptop, like most people do these days, then you can put your laptop bag in your regular luggage with no problem.

If you have an oversized or oversized laptop (aka one that’s too big to fit in the sizer at security), then you’ll need to put it in your carry-on. The TSA has an official list of laptop dimensions that determine if they’re oversized or not, but generally speaking, anything bigger than 16 x 10 x 1.5 inches is prohibited from being carried on.

Can you put a laptop in a carry-on bag instead?

You can, but there are a few things to take into consideration. For example, do you have the power cord and other accessories needed for your laptop?

If you’re traveling with a laptop that needs an adapter or something else, then you’ll need to put it in your checked bag. Otherwise, these items will be lost if they get separated from the laptop.

Laptop bags are usually pretty small, so you don’t have a lot of extra room for anything else. If you’re traveling with other electronic devices or accessories that need to be carried on, then your bag will fill up quickly.

You might even have trouble squeezing in a book or two if there’s not much space left.

Another potential issue is that many of the airlines have weight restrictions on carry-on bags, so you’ll need to make sure your laptop bag meets those requirements as well.

If it doesn’t, then you could be forced to check it or pay a hefty checked bag fee.

In general, though, if your laptop fits inside of the sizer at security then you can put it in your carry-on. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to place it in your checked luggage.

How do you protect your laptop while it’s in your luggage?

You’ll want to put your laptop in a protective case before you pack it. A good laptop case will keep your computer safe from bumps and scratches that could occur while traveling.

Think of the bag as more than just a way to transport your device; it’s insurance against damage too. Additionally, some laptop cases come with added features that might come in handy during your trip.

For example, some laptop cases have a special compartment designed to carry power adapters. This keeps everything nicely organized and helps you avoid forgetting anything when it’s time to leave.

In general, you should follow the same precautions for traveling with a laptop that you would for traveling with any other valuable or fragile item. Protect it as best you can, and place it in your luggage along with anything else that could break.

What if I need to check my laptop bag for some reason?

If there are extenuating circumstances, then you may need to check your laptop bag instead of putting it under the seat in front of you.

For example, if your bag weighs more than you can carry or if it doesn’t fit in the overhead bin. In cases like this, you’ll need to put it in the cargo hold instead of checking it at the ticket counter.

If that happens, then rest easy knowing that a laptop is probably one of the safest things to take on a plane. According to the FAA, you’re more likely to be killed by lightning than by a plane crash. So, chances are slim that your laptop will ever fall out of your luggage or get damaged during the flight.

What should you do if your laptop is damaged or lost while traveling?

If something bad happens, then the best thing you can do is report it. In most cases, your airline will have a lost and found that contains any items that were left behind during the flight.

You’ll need to file a report with an airline representative in order to find out if anything was turned in. If your laptop is still missing, then contact the lost and found department at your destination airport as well.

You may also want to let the airline know that you need a claim form for your laptop because it needs to be reported as “damaged” instead of “lost.” Also, if you’re traveling with business equipment, then make sure to file an incident report with your employer as well.

There’s also a chance that your laptop could be stolen. If you’re not sure where to start, then file a police report and ask the authorities about any safety precautions or resources you can use to track down your device.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much else you can do except try to recover it after the fact and hope for the best.

If you’re traveling overseas with sensitive information on your laptop, then it’s also a good idea to file an embassy report. This could help you recover your device if something terrible happens.

Conclusion

There are several things to consider before traveling with your laptop. You’ll want to research the airline baggage policies, purchase an appropriate bag for your device, and store it like you would any other valuable items on a trip. If something does happen, then report it immediately and work with the airline to recover your property.

You may also want to file a police report in case your laptop is stolen. So, remember that you have options if your laptop is lost or damaged during the trip.