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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: spcyrfc on June 14, 2008, 02:08:43 PM

Title: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: spcyrfc on June 14, 2008, 02:08:43 PM

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

luke

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: giveaway on June 14, 2008, 03:30:21 PM

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).

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: su6oxone on June 15, 2008, 02:16:21 PM

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!

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: spcyrfc on June 15, 2008, 04:09:37 PM

Quote from: su6oxone on June 15, 2008, 02:16:21 PM

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?

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: gewwang on June 15, 2008, 06:13:12 PM

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.

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: giveaway on June 15, 2008, 07:20:17 PM

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.

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: moooose on June 16, 2008, 06:40:08 AM

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  :P)

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: T.J. on June 16, 2008, 07:49:23 AM

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

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: su6oxone on June 16, 2008, 09:43:54 AM

Quote from: spcyrfc on June 15, 2008, 04:09:37 PM

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. 

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: blastroknow on June 17, 2008, 01:09:04 PM

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

Title: Re: flying with an external Harddrive
Post by: willndmb on June 17, 2008, 01:14:44 PM

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  :-\