The airport security regulations differ slightly from terminal to terminal within a country. They may vary vastly from country to country. One of the precautions of air travel with the laptop is safeguarding it, as the machine passes through airport security.

At some security checkpoints, the personnel will allow you to request a hand check for the laptop. This may mean powering up the laptop and showing the security person that it is a functioning machine. Other checkpoints may require that the laptop be scanned with the x-ray equipment. Supposedly, this does not harm the machine.

The security procedure to avoid for the laptop is the metal detection sequence. This will damage the machine. Request a ‘hand check’, as the metal detector can cause a myriad of problems. The security personnel should be familiar with this request. However, with the high volume of traffic that passes through a checkpoint daily, it is the traveler’s responsibility to ask for an alternative to the metal detection sequence.

If the laptop is covered by household insurance, you may be surprised that damage through airport security is not included. Most policies cover theft, loss or accident. It does not cover damage to contents, like having the data on the hard drive scrambled. Check your policy and/or speak to your insurance agent. The insurance coverage for your laptop, without expensive riders, is minimal when you travel.

Catherine Forsythe