Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Transporting 27" iMac on a plane in luggage?
- Thread starter riddlerenigma
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If you check a box wrapped in duct tape, the security people will open it to make sure it's not a bomb.
Airlines do not cover expensive electronics in checked luggage. the only safe way to do it is to insure it and ship it via FedEx or simiar carrier.
Absolutely the best advice. As a very regular air traveler, I would never consider either trying to carry something like that on and definitely wouldn't check it.
I just googled 'luggage limit of liability' and hit this (not to pick on AA, but I'm sure it's similar on all airlines)...
http://www.aa.com/i18n/customerService/customerCommitment/conditionsOfCarriage.jsp#Baggage
American assumes no responsibility for loss, damage or delayed delivery of transferred baggage not acceptable for transportation by American as checked baggage, items damaged as a result of items contained in checked or transferred baggage, and items accepted by American pursuant to the execution of a release form. American does not accept in or as checked baggage any of the following items: antiques, artifacts, artwork, books and documents, china, computers and other electronic equipment, computer software, fragile items (including child/infant restraint devices such as strollers and car seats), eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, non-prescription sunglasses and all other eyewear and eye/vision devices whether lenses are glass, plastic, or some other material, furs, heirlooms, items carried in the passenger compartment of the aircraft, liquids, medicines, money, orthotics, surgical supports, perishable items, photographic, video and optical equipment, precious metals, stones or jewelry, securities and negotiable papers, silverware, samples, unique or irreplaceable items or any other similar valuable items. American does not accept these items in or as checked baggage and assumes no responsibility or liability for such items, regardless of whether American knew or should have known of the presence of such items in checked or transferred baggage. If any such items are lost, damaged or delayed, you will not be entitled to any reimbursement under American's standard baggage liability, or under any declared excess valuation. Do not attempt to check these items. Carry them with you in the passenger cabin (subject to carryon baggage limitations).
That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. As if Terrorists can't think to put their bombs into real luggages.... As if terrorists even put bombs into luggages anymore!
The obvious answer to your question is to use the original box. Then you can make a wooden enclosure around the box to prevent breakage. It's likely that you will go over the weight limit, but those extra pounds of wood will be your insurance policy. If you want to use the imac, go with the imac.
Ive put a 17 inch monitor in a suit case with bubble wrap before and its still going strong, although i realise this is bigger
i think the problem is not in finding a suitcase or something like it , the biggest problem is to transport it safe inside and every gram bubble rap or whatever you use to protect the huge screen ads to the weight , but once you`ve solved the suitcase and protection problem , i do not think you wont get away declaring it as hand luggage , so as i worked a couple years ago on a airport i know how the luggage gets thrown around and
even if you insure it against damage for that reason you look for weeks if not month before you get money for any damage caused ,
so send it up front with fed ex and it will arrive safe as fed ex knows how to handle valuable goods and even if damaged fed ex deals faster with insurance claims then any airline ever will
just a question
are there not company`s who lease such things like computers , you know like you do not have to take your car as handluggage you just rent one at your destination, so all you would have to carry would be a external hdd with your apps and files
ey is that a business opportunity , did i run into a goldmine renting out 27"imacs on every airport in the world
even if you insure it against damage for that reason you look for weeks if not month before you get money for any damage caused ,
so send it up front with fed ex and it will arrive safe as fed ex knows how to handle valuable goods and even if damaged fed ex deals faster with insurance claims then any airline ever will
just a question
are there not company`s who lease such things like computers , you know like you do not have to take your car as handluggage you just rent one at your destination, so all you would have to carry would be a external hdd with your apps and files
ey is that a business opportunity , did i run into a goldmine renting out 27"imacs on every airport in the world
Use FedEX, UPS, your carrier of choice
I'd say your best bet would be to maintain the original packaging and ship it to and from your gigs via FexEX, etc. Whenever I traveled lots and had valuable, odd-sized or heavy things I needed, I'd ship them ahead to my client and/or hotel.
You won't have to worry about baggage handlers, disconnects between a call center, check-in, gate, and/or steward on whether you could carry it on, poor baggage handling if you couldn't and lack of insurance for it if something goes wrong (broken or lost).
If you're traveling for work you client and/or company should cover the expense.
If it's not an option I'd see (though I doubt there is one) if there is a pelican case that large. It'll probably cost as much as the iMac but they're damn solid - I use em for photography equipment.
I'd say your best bet would be to maintain the original packaging and ship it to and from your gigs via FexEX, etc. Whenever I traveled lots and had valuable, odd-sized or heavy things I needed, I'd ship them ahead to my client and/or hotel.
You won't have to worry about baggage handlers, disconnects between a call center, check-in, gate, and/or steward on whether you could carry it on, poor baggage handling if you couldn't and lack of insurance for it if something goes wrong (broken or lost).
If you're traveling for work you client and/or company should cover the expense.
If it's not an option I'd see (though I doubt there is one) if there is a pelican case that large. It'll probably cost as much as the iMac but they're damn solid - I use em for photography equipment.
The security people are still going to open stuff. Regardless of whether terrorists really do it, they will still open it. Sealed packages raise their suspicion. Same thing happens can happen if you lock your luggage.
Thanks everyone for the responses. I decided to go with a pelican case. I am going to try it, and get personal property insurance, which covers applications like this. Will let everyone know how it goes. The weight of the pelican case I got is 35 lbs with foam. The iMac is 30lbs. So full foam intact it still weighs less than 70 lbs. Which is the max for Virgin America and Southwest. Probably going to have to pay for oversize luggage though. But the case can take a serious beating. So we'll see how it handles. 
They're being shipped here safely from Shanghai every day, so use the original packaging and ship it on ahead to your next location with insurance.
If you don't have the original packaging, ask Apple to send you the packaging needed to return the computer for repair.
NEVER take your iMac on a flight with you. Apart from anything else, you might have to open the whole box and undo all your careful packaging to have it inspected.
If you don't have the original packaging, ask Apple to send you the packaging needed to return the computer for repair.
NEVER take your iMac on a flight with you. Apart from anything else, you might have to open the whole box and undo all your careful packaging to have it inspected.
The problem with check-in luggage in the cargo is that no travel insurance company (that I know of) will cover it. So I doubt your property insurance will cover it also. Check you policy wording under exclusions and make doubly sure.
You might want to look at some studio equipment and search for cases that match the iMac dimensions. Make sure its a hard care, and then get some foam and pack it to fit, check your airlines policy on carry ons and cargo, if you can get it as carry on, go for it.
FWIW: 24" iMac...
...in the original factory box just barely fit into the biggest soft-case $20 suitcase I could find in a Harlem bodega. I checked it on a plane to Europe and it arrived just fine. FedEx and UPS guys drop boxes all the time too. Shipping would have cost $300-400 plus a week's earnings -- in other words, a total well into four figures, or not far from the purchase price of the machine -- something else you need to factor in.
...in the original factory box just barely fit into the biggest soft-case $20 suitcase I could find in a Harlem bodega. I checked it on a plane to Europe and it arrived just fine. FedEx and UPS guys drop boxes all the time too. Shipping would have cost $300-400 plus a week's earnings -- in other words, a total well into four figures, or not far from the purchase price of the machine -- something else you need to factor in.
TENBA, TENBA, TENBA, TENBA
they have fantastic cases that are incredibly light weight and incredibly strong.
On the apple support forums they stated about 3 weeks ago that they are working hard on bringing a case to market and should have it prepared within the next 1-2 months.
The case will weight 30 lbs and have wheels as well.
Once this launches you cannot go wrong with it.
In regards to personal property insurance keep these following things in mind:
1) If you use the iMac for commercial use (i.e. a photographer or videographer using it while traveling for editing/live view/ex cetera) then personal property insurance ala' homeowners or renters insurance WILL NOT COVER YOU. You need commercial insurance to cover your work property
2) If you are using it for personal/hobbyist usage then you can typically add coverage for breaking/scratching/marring/viruses/power surges for computer damage BY ENDORSEMENT, which means you need to contact your agent and manually add that coverage. Make special note of whether or not a special deductible applies to this endorsement.
3) If you do add the coverage just keep in mind that if you use it (typically only a concern on homeowners insurance) it can INCREASE your rates.
Good luck and safe travels!
they have fantastic cases that are incredibly light weight and incredibly strong.
On the apple support forums they stated about 3 weeks ago that they are working hard on bringing a case to market and should have it prepared within the next 1-2 months.
The case will weight 30 lbs and have wheels as well.
Once this launches you cannot go wrong with it.
In regards to personal property insurance keep these following things in mind:
1) If you use the iMac for commercial use (i.e. a photographer or videographer using it while traveling for editing/live view/ex cetera) then personal property insurance ala' homeowners or renters insurance WILL NOT COVER YOU. You need commercial insurance to cover your work property
2) If you are using it for personal/hobbyist usage then you can typically add coverage for breaking/scratching/marring/viruses/power surges for computer damage BY ENDORSEMENT, which means you need to contact your agent and manually add that coverage. Make special note of whether or not a special deductible applies to this endorsement.
3) If you do add the coverage just keep in mind that if you use it (typically only a concern on homeowners insurance) it can INCREASE your rates.
Good luck and safe travels!
I have the same concern
Just going through the same issue here. Can't decide what to do.
If it was a 21.5" one, I'd just carry it on the plane, but 27" is damn big.
All these stories of people receiving their 27" iMacs with cracked screens scares the crap outta me, I can't imagine what would happen in a luggage being shipped all the way to the other side of the planet.
I had a 24" lcd monitor shipped in a luggage once. Wrapped up in bubble wrap .... LOTS of it, and had lots of sweaters wrapped around it. Got it in perfect condition. I also had the actual luggage wrapped so if it got wet it wouldn't be a problem.
I can do the same thing now ..... keep it in it's original box, put that in large luggage, wrap that up with lots of sweaters and a blanket. Again wrap the luggage with that saran wrap like stuff, and I think it should be ok. Again, I'm just worried with why people are getting their iMacs with cracked screens. Are those original packages not secure enough??? I really doubt it's gonna be a problem in the luggage though, with all those clothes. Plus about 2 inches all around the box .... again clothes filling up those gaps.
Just going through the same issue here. Can't decide what to do.
If it was a 21.5" one, I'd just carry it on the plane, but 27" is damn big.
All these stories of people receiving their 27" iMacs with cracked screens scares the crap outta me, I can't imagine what would happen in a luggage being shipped all the way to the other side of the planet.
I had a 24" lcd monitor shipped in a luggage once. Wrapped up in bubble wrap .... LOTS of it, and had lots of sweaters wrapped around it. Got it in perfect condition. I also had the actual luggage wrapped so if it got wet it wouldn't be a problem.
I can do the same thing now ..... keep it in it's original box, put that in large luggage, wrap that up with lots of sweaters and a blanket. Again wrap the luggage with that saran wrap like stuff, and I think it should be ok. Again, I'm just worried with why people are getting their iMacs with cracked screens. Are those original packages not secure enough??? I really doubt it's gonna be a problem in the luggage though, with all those clothes. Plus about 2 inches all around the box .... again clothes filling up those gaps.
I think you got yourself the wrong computer for this
I agree. Why would a person buy a computer this large and then expect it to be portable?
27" imac travel cases
Delta just broke the screen of my new 27" imac. Luckily its only the glass. Unluckily the repair cost is $850. 1/2 the cost of the new product. If apple would send me the glass I could do it myself.
But I still have to travel with a large screen computer. Here are my suggestions:
1) Don't
2) If you have too, take a power mac G5 and screen in separate pelican (or equal) cases. This way if the screen breaks its easily replaced with a cheaper non mac screen. The power mac G5 is rugged in itself - not many worries there! I have traveled to Sweden and back on SAS with my G4 and screen in their original boxes, it worked!
3) If you have to take a 27" imac get the good cases, pelican or equal, @ $600. But cheaper than replacing the screen.
4) FYI - the airlines don't give a damn. If you buy your imac with an AMEX card they have breakage protection of sorts but not if the airlines do the damage. But if it falls off your desk because you are chasing the dog who is chasing your cat - they will reimburse up to $1000 for repair (on the gold card).
Delta just broke the screen of my new 27" imac. Luckily its only the glass. Unluckily the repair cost is $850. 1/2 the cost of the new product. If apple would send me the glass I could do it myself.But I still have to travel with a large screen computer. Here are my suggestions:
1) Don't
2) If you have too, take a power mac G5 and screen in separate pelican (or equal) cases. This way if the screen breaks its easily replaced with a cheaper non mac screen. The power mac G5 is rugged in itself - not many worries there! I have traveled to Sweden and back on SAS with my G4 and screen in their original boxes, it worked!
3) If you have to take a 27" imac get the good cases, pelican or equal, @ $600. But cheaper than replacing the screen.
4) FYI - the airlines don't give a damn. If you buy your imac with an AMEX card they have breakage protection of sorts but not if the airlines do the damage. But if it falls off your desk because you are chasing the dog who is chasing your cat - they will reimburse up to $1000 for repair (on the gold card).
Way to go filtering out the signal from the noise in this thread.
I'm curious, which model Pelican case did you decide to go with?
Try to work something out in advance with an assurance that you can bring it aboard the aircraft. Unless you really pack it well, its too much of a risk, IMO. Luggage is handled quite roughly during the various phases of movement from checking-in to the conveyor.
I'd also be a bit uncomfortable about employee theft as well. Rampers are notorious for stealing. Your bag just might go "missing."
I'd also be a bit uncomfortable about employee theft as well. Rampers are notorious for stealing. Your bag just might go "missing."
I came across this today and thought I'd share. It's called CaseCruzer and it looks like they customize Pelican cases to fix specific needs.
More details can be found at this link.
More details can be found at this link.
Well If they werent meant to be transported why do they make cases for transporting them? Theres a few different cases ranging from 450 - 600$ riddlerenigma. They do have solutions.
First and foremost I think I so far from what I read think I understand riddlerenigmas situation the Most. I live in Hotels 95% of the Year. People have their own reasons for wanting to transport something like this and it baffles me to see how many ignorant ppl aks why would you want to do such a thing? Well I think Just because my house sits vacant doesnt mean I cant have a nice computer. I move somewhere every month - 4 months.
The reason I travel is because I build and install the sortation devices and conveyor for FedEx, USPS, UPS, Airports and a couple DHLs. Having said that I have seen first hand the nature your packages and or luggage is handled. All are ridiculous choices to ship anything fragile. Although FedEx drops packages, gets them stuck in Pneumatic arms, falls off 15' Recirc lines, a 10$ an hour unloader throws them violently from the truck to the Unloader, and occasionly backs over a package or two Id say your safest bet is to ship it.
The reason I say that is because if you check it in a bag which is what I thought about doing ( I was going to buy a hard suitcase and custom fit it with foam to hold my Imac 27" without the stand) Is if they deem it suspicious and open it they might have a crazy idea of dismantling it which would be terrible and also they most likely wont pack it back the way you had it. So overnighting it would be your safest bet and FedEx ground would be my second suggestion. Which ever way you choose pack it with as much as you can. I suggest taking the stand off and getting a box with slightly bigger dimensions and spending some money on 1 1/2 foam to go around it. wrap the screen with something like a neoprene sleve or an old blanket.
Hope this helps good luck I know what you are dealing with.