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EMERGENCY - bringing purchased mbp on plane

RiCEADDiCTBOY

RiCEADDiCTBOY

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 26, 2007
699
1
quick question - faster and reliable answers required! can i bring a 15" purchased mbp in its box on the plane? delta reps are horrible and didn't give me a straight answer for some reason...

anyone by sheer chance did this?
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
quick question - faster and reliable answers required! can i bring a 15" purchased mbp in its box on the plane? delta reps are horrible and didn't give me a straight answer for some reason...

anyone by sheer chance did this?
Click to expand...

I'm willing to bet they'll make you take it out of the box if you carry it on the plane.
 
I'm certain you won't be able to pass through security with a sealed box and you'll probably have to take it out to go through the scanners.
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
quick question - faster and reliable answers required! can i bring a 15" purchased mbp in its box on the plane? delta reps are horrible and didn't give me a straight answer for some reason...

anyone by sheer chance did this?
Click to expand...

(1) Will the box fit underneath the seat in front of you? (It might have to.)
(2) Do you have the receipt? (Would prove that it's not stolen.)
(3) Does it have enough battery (juice) so that you can boot it up to prove to them that it's a laptop (and not a terrorist device)? This is a basic requirement for flying with laptops.

AND if you're planning on turning it ON during the flight, make SURE that the Airport (router) is turned off in advance.

If you're thinking that keeping the factory seal on the box intact (if there is one) is the way to go, that's not necessarily true. They almost ALWAYS want the laptop out of whatever bag/box it's in and put into a grey bin all by itself before it goes through X-ray machine.
 
she said i would only have to open the box to show the contents inside of it. i think the dimensions allowed are 22" x 14" x 9"
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
quick question - faster and reliable answers required! can i bring a 15" purchased mbp in its box on the plane? delta reps are horrible and didn't give me a straight answer for some reason...

anyone by sheer chance did this?
Click to expand...

For what it is worth, it isn't Delta's call... it is TSA and security
Delta cannot authorize, approve or otherwise circumvent what TSA says
And your mileage will vary from airport to airport on that regard
Delta can't answer definitively because they don't control the TSA

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
MacDawg said:
For what it is worth, it isn't Delta's call... it is TSA and security
Delta cannot authorize, approve or otherwise circumvent what TSA says
And your mileage will vary from airport to airport on that regard
Delta can't answer definitively because they don't control the TSA

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
Click to expand...

i am flying back to germany.
 
MacDawg said:
For what it is worth, it isn't Delta's call... it is TSA and security
Click to expand...
Exactly. Makes no difference what Delta said.

They will most likely ask you to take the laptop out of the box to scan it separately.

They might ask you to boot it up (it's a random thing -- but I've been asked before so I know it happens).

If you don't want to do any of this, you might wanna think about having it shipped to your destination. Either that or open it and get everything set up before getting to the airport.
 
...pack the box and what ever accessories you don't need in your checked luggage...

Get the smallest laptop case you can that will protect your machine and be prepared to turn it on...TSA makes the rules, not Delta.
 
If you aren't planning to declare it at customs you might want to ship the box to yourself separately so that it isn't obvious that you just bought it.
 
All laptops must be scanned so you WILL have to take it out of the box to have scanned separately followed by the box and contents. The computer will also count as one carry-on (obviously).

My suggestion is to buy a computer sleeve or bag and carry the computer separately from the box. That way the computer is ready to scan when you get to security. They will probably ask you if a computer is in the box, just tell them it's just the box, manual and power brick.

I'm pretty sure an MBP box is smaller than Delta's carry-on bag limit but you can check their web site for allowed dimensions.
 
Why can't you take it out of the box and put the box in your checked luggage.

Or, take it out of the box when they ask you to and then put it back in the box after they inspect it?

Cheers.
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
i am flying back to germany.
Click to expand...

Buy a nice sleeve and put the box in luggage (if you don't want to throw it away entirely). If it's for someone else... well, they should be happy with what they get. Also consider that if you got a dead or otherwise defective unit (rare but happens), it'll be easier to exchange it at the store you bought it (or at least in the country you bought it) than back home.
 
Depends on the airport. I just flew through one that you didn't have to take anything out of its bag.

Week later at another they made me remove my shoes from same bin as MBA even though they were placed in no way interfering with x-ray. I also needed a pat down because my shirt was "too big." She was cute and I liked it. Requested a full cavity search but she wasn't obliging.
 
NC MacGuy said:
Depends on the airport. I just flew through one that you didn't have to take anything out of its bag.

Week later at another they made me remove my shoes from same bin as MBA even though they were placed in no way interfering with x-ray. I also needed a pat down because my shirt was "too big." She was cute and I liked it. Requested a full cavity search but she wasn't obliging.
Click to expand...

lmao i glad i highlight my text while i read ;)
 
Never ever EVER

Check a laptop with your luggage unless it is sealed in one of those metallic cases that the movie guys fill with unmarked bills.
http://www.creativecookware.com/images/BBQ tool set golf 5.JPG

Put that box in your luggage and buy a laptop attaché bag.

Also next time consider actually shipping the item purchased in a box via UPS or FEDEX. That way you avoid customs and airport security theater.
 
areusche said:
snip

Also next time consider actually shipping the item purchased in a box via UPS or FEDEX. That way you avoid customs and airport security theater.
Click to expand...

Not true, all international shipments require customs forms. People lie and put legal documents or text books but if they open and inspect you will get the duties, tariffs or taxes depending on the country you are entering.

Best bet is to always ditch the box and have a laptop case. I would even have gotten through all the initial setup so it comes up to my login screen.

Cheers,
 
Whatever you do, don't exclaim that the "new MacBook Pro is the BOMB" during the flight.

You'll get in trouble. :(
 
On the way back from Spain, a lady had the entire box and she was allowed into the plane and she only placed the box into the bin and that was that. This was the only time I've seen a box of any kind make it into the plane without it being opened before.

Other than that, everytime someone has a box of whatever, they have to open it, this includes several apple boxes and in different countries flying into the U.S. (from Tijuana and another time from Mexico City) and flying out of the US (to Mexico and to England). I haven't experienced a box situation in a domestic U.S. flight.
 
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