Travelling and airport security

[emacky]

Hey

I'm gonna be driving down to states in a few days and i'm gonna be taking a domestic flight from seattle. I'm just curious for ppl who have flow in the states recently, did security go through the contents of your laptop and ipod?

 

[Bartdude]

Basically you just have to fire it up to prove it's a functioning computer/Ipod and not a fake bomb or something. Not a big deal. All the same, I would hide any, ahem, sensitive files you may have.

 

[dabi]

wtf... you sound like u have child pornography or something.... please tell me thats not the case =/

 

[emacky]

Nah. I'm talking bout illegal music on my ipod and phone and downloaded games on my DS.

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

They will never go through your computer when you're leaving the country but they could and are entitled to as per a recent supreme court decision on your way back. Either way you have nothing to worry about if you have not broken any laws. If you have any financial or tax records that you dont want rev. canada (or whatever they call it these days) to see leave your laptop at home. They can hold your computer for as long as they want and go through it at will until they're satisfied that there's nothing of use to them.

Also make sure that you have a receipt and if not stop by an Canada Customs office at your "port" of departure and get them to give you a piece of paper saying that you left the country with that particular machine/watch or anything that's taxable. I had to pay $1300 for my watch that i've had for 5 years one time because I couldnt prove that I bought it in Canada. Fortunately the dumbass I was dealing with agreed that it was worth $3k and not the $25k its worth. Regardless I paid the 30% tax/duty/rape charge and walked away with no penalty.

From personal experience I've always found the Americans a lot more reasonable than the Canadians.

 

[jim]

Basically you just have to fire it up to prove it's a functioning computer/Ipod and not a fake bomb or something. Not a big deal. All the same, I would hide any, ahem, sensitive files you may have.

I haven't had to fire my my electronics for over 5 years and I fly a lot.

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

I haven't had to fire my my electronics for over 5 years and I fly a lot.

Ditto....now they just swab it for explosives as you go trhough.

 

[Lady Companion]

I fly several times a month, and have never had a problem. On a couple of occasions I have been asked to turn on my computer, but they have never gone through my files or history. They are obviously allowed to - but nearly everybody travels with some sort of electronic equipment, and it would be impossible to go through everything.

If you are that concerned that your personal computer contains sensitive information, just travel with your blackberry - or buy a second laptop for travel only which only has a PG history.

__________________

VIP Vancouver Escort and International travel companion

http://www.ClassyAngel.com
604 583 4998

 

[jim]

Ditto....now they just swab it for explosives as you go trhough.

True but only on a random basis.

 

[emacky]

Damn, so should I bother bringing my Ipod?

 

[jim]

Damn, so should I bother bringing my Ipod?

About 70 percent of passengers are plugged into some device or other. Do you think they are all carrying 'legal' tunes? Take a pill, pack some good tunes and get your ass in line. BTW you do not have to take our Ipod out of your carry on. Only your Notebook.

Happy trails.

 

[FortunateOne]

Hey

I'm gonna be driving down to states in a few days and i'm gonna be taking a domestic flight from seattle. I'm just curious for ppl who have flow in the states recently, did security go through the contents of your laptop and ipod?

Don't forget you're crossing the border when you drive down. If they check you on your way in, see if they can give you anything to verify that you and your stuff has been inspected. That could save time at the airport (maybe get your passport stamped, they would only do that if you were called inside I think)
Also, if you are driving, triple the normal time you would expect it to take. Border lineups may be 15min or 3 hours, and if you get pulled inside you could be there for a few hours in addition to the car lineup time.

Don't underestimate the time you need to make your flight.

Same at the airport, if they suggest 2 hours, make sure you have 4. You never know if they want to check you out.

And never ever take anything that you don't mind being confiscated

 

[emacky]

Well I'm not too worried, bout the border. I'm sure it's not too too busy. But I understand that, Yea it's better to be super early than late.

Cuz last time I went to the states was in Feb and it was before they checked anything.