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MP 7,1 Cheese grater Mac Pro to in-cabin international flight.

D

displacedface

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 16, 2019
1
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Hi,

I would love to get ideas on how to get a new 2019 mac pro into a flight.
Obiously I don't trust airlines to have it as check-in baggage.

It doesn't fit into a check-in luggage. I was thinking having a large carrier shoulder bag, like the ones from IKEA, but open to ideas on how to get the thing on-board.

Thanks!
 
displacedface said:
Hi,

I would love to get ideas on how to get a new 2019 mac pro into a flight.
Obiously I don't trust airlines to have it as check-in baggage.

It doesn't fit into a check-in luggage. I was thinking having a large carrier shoulder bag, like the ones from IKEA, but open to ideas on how to get the thing on-board.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Get a box that meets international carry on requirements (weight and lengths) and load it with packaging materials. Then put straps around the box and carry it on.
 
This is the "standard" carryon case:
https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/carry-on-case/protector/1510

The MP7,1 is too large to fit inside, even without padding. Do not think it would meet size requirements of the majority of international operators and would absolutely check with them first, especially if you're planning on using an "Ikea bag" for protection. If they make you gate check, good luck ever seeing that again.
 
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bsbeamer said:
This is the "standard" carryon case:
https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/carry-on-case/protector/1510

The MP7,1 is too large to fit inside, even without padding. Do not think it would meet size requirements of the majority of international operators and would absolutely check with them first, especially if you're planning on using an "Ikea bag" for protection. If they make you gate check, good luck ever seeing that again.
Click to expand...
yea the trashcan had a really major advantage in portability. I'll miss that.
 
displacedface said:
Hi,

I would love to get ideas on how to get a new 2019 mac pro into a flight.
Obiously I don't trust airlines to have it as check-in baggage.

It doesn't fit into a check-in luggage. I was thinking having a large carrier shoulder bag, like the ones from IKEA, but open to ideas on how to get the thing on-board.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If it won't fit into a check-in luggage and is over 8kg or 18lbs or you need help to put it into the overhead bin, then you'll be gate checked and ding you. I know some people had been doing online check-in to bypass the weight check only to be gate-checked. If the gate check guy or gal can't lift your shoulder bag, then it's more than 18lbs and you will be gate-checked. If you refuse, which someone actually did during my flight home from Germany, you'll get kicked out and can't fly unless you check that bag in. My advice is to either ship it via Fedex or some other trusted courier home.
 
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Last I heard, you wouldn’t be able to carry it on anyway, as it’s a ‘large’ electronic device (I can just see the security people watching the x-ray machine).
Especially if your travelling through US customs.
Then there’s the chance you will have to pay import duty also.
 
Boomerang Carnet would solve the import issue, but does not solve the carry on issue. Do not think there's a way around that if you're flying commercial.
 
displacedface said:
It doesn't fit into a check-in luggage.
Click to expand...

That statement doesn't seem right to me. I've seen check-in items much bigger than a Mac Pro. I assume you mean it doesn't fit into carry-on.

The size and weight allowed for a carry on varies from airline to airline, so I don't know how anyone here could answer your question. Measure the dimensions and weight, then call the airline and ask about oversized carry-on. If you are lucky, the plane has a closet, the airline will let you use it.

Alternatively, just put it in checked baggage with travel insurance that covers "permanently lost checked baggage". This isn't a Stradivarius--Mac Pros are replaceable*.

* If the data on the Mac Pro is irreplaceable, make sure it is backed up and separate.
 
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As others have already recommended: Ship it via a carrier such as FedEx. It will save you a lot of headache.

Alternatively buy a Mac laptop, copy everything to it, take laptop with you carry on, leave Mac Pro at home.
 
defjam said:
As others have already recommended: Ship it via a carrier such as FedEx. It will save you a lot of headache.
Click to expand...
Airlines will take it as freight too. But if he's going along, I'd still recommend he just check it. That way it's on his flight at both ends, which is more convenient than having to deal with a third party.
 
Yeah, but have you seen how baggage handlers treat stuff......no thanks
I wouldn’t trust it as ‘checked’ luggage
If it’s a bto model also, which may be 8-10k’s worth, Apple plastered on the box, some unsavoury type would have it away (with all the media coverage). It’s like sending a Rolex just in the box to be checked luggage.

edit: I am not inferring all or any handlers are dishonest.
 
Last edited:
chabig said:
Airlines will take it as freight too. But if he's going along, I'd still recommend he just check it. That way it's on his flight at both ends, which is more convenient than having to deal with a third party.
Click to expand...
I just went through something similar to this last month. I was attending some training for which I wanted to keep the training books. I could have carried them on / checked them. It was a whole lot easier to take the books to the UPS store (in the hotel) and let them deal with it. I traveled home without having to worry about them and they arrived at my doorstep the day after.

Air travel is already a pain without having to lug an awkward 19kg Mac Pro around with you.
 
ActionableMango said:
Alternatively, just put it in checked baggage with travel insurance that covers "permanently lost checked baggage". This isn't a Stradivarius--Mac Pros are replaceable*.
Click to expand...
Best answer.

Put the Apple in its original box, and then put that in a slightly larger box with some bubble wrap between the two. Gives extra protection, and hides the Apple logos on the original box.

You could also buy a big Pelican case for it - but that runs the risk that someone might think that it's a $150K video camera and walk off with it.
 
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Are you sure the airline would let you take a large bit of electronics into the cabin.
I thought they frowned on anything bigger than a tablet (which you usually have to show as a working device and not an incendiary item).
 
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As others have said, just ship it. Even if you checked it in, the airline won’t be responsible for any damage that occurs to the checked piece, especially if it’s a cardboard box. You might end up with a 10+k paperweight. Not worth the headache or hassle. This is why common freight carriers exist.
 
FWIW I once brought my 27" iMac on a flight as checked luggage in its original box. It was waiting for me making the rounds on the luggage collection conveyer belt when I cleared immigration at the destination - not a dent in the cardboard.

I think maybe I was lucky but it didn't seem unusual for people to have flatscreen tvs (etc) as checked luggage. Apparently there's a small section for fragile items. (Qatar Airways: Colombo to Dammam).
 
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MarkC426 said:
Are you sure the airline would let you take a large bit of electronics into the cabin.
I thought they frowned on anything bigger than a tablet (which you usually have to show as a working device and not an incendiary item).
Click to expand...
Not a problem...buy a seat with the passenger name of "Joe Pillow" and all will be good :)
 
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AWW_13 said:
FWIW I once brought my 27" iMac on a flight as checked luggage in its original box. It was waiting for me making the rounds on the luggage collection conveyer belt when I cleared immigration at the destination - not a dent in the cardboard.

I think maybe I was lucky but it didn't seem unusual for people to have flatscreen tvs (etc) as checked luggage. Apparently there's a small section for fragile items. (Qatar Airways: Colombo to Dammam).
Click to expand...

That’s also Qatar Airways, who are incredibly good with luggage honestly. I’ve shipped cardboard boxes with them before and they have been sealed in plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet. QR is impressive.
 
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AWW_13 said:
FWIW I once brought my 27" iMac on a flight as checked luggage in its original box. It was waiting for me making the rounds on the luggage collection conveyer belt when I cleared immigration at the destination - not a dent in the cardboard.

I think maybe I was lucky but it didn't seem unusual for people to have flatscreen tvs (etc) as checked luggage. Apparently there's a small section for fragile items. (Qatar Airways: Colombo to Dammam).
Click to expand...
Chinese buy computers, TVs, and other electronics in Japan and bring back with them on their flights.
 
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