Topic: flying with an external Harddrive

[spcyrfc]

may be a silly question, but is flying with an external, loaded harddrive ok.  i will carry on, i hope.  thanks

luke

[grtphl]

I've done it 10+ times and have had no issue.  Wrapped in a sweatshirt for padding; no issues going through security.  No data loss or performance issues.  You don't want that in a bag being tossed around by luggage crews.  I don't think you have to worry about your drive's safety as long as you keep it near (carried on in your personal bag).

[su6oxone]

its totally fine to carryon a hard drive, just remember to put it through the xray machine or u could lose data.  ive carried on a scanner and my mid size tower several times!

[spcyrfc]

its totally fine to carryon a hard drive, just remember to put it through the xray machine or u could lose data.  ive carried on a scanner and my mid size tower several times!

how could i loose data if i do not put it through the x ray machine?

[gewwang]

Yeah, I'm not sure any HD going thru (or not going thru) an airport xray has any effect. Millions of laptops and iPods go thru them every day.

[grtphl]

i think su6oxone was suggesting you carry it on (and hence put it through the x-ray scanner); not necessarily that it _has_ to go through it, just that it should be with you at all times.

[moooose]

I've carried several external drives with me for years. Never had a single problem with the security guys, never had a single failure (next time, maybe  )

[T.J.]

i'd still make sure everything is backed up somewhere as a "just in case"

[su6oxone]

how could i loose data if i do not put it through the x ray machine?

I just meant that you should make sure you don't get a wand passed over the drive which could erase your data. 

[blastroknow]

Isn't there a new fee for carrying on a hard drive?   

[willndmb]

i never had a xray mess my hd up but it did screw my battery
the battery worked in my laptop 100% - when on a plane and it lost its charge in 15 mins
never held a charge after that