Jump to content
LeonieJensen

[Flying] What do I do with my computer/Hard Drive in Carry On?

 Share

8 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Hi! My visa has been approved and our plane tickets to America are booked. We're flying in five days!
 

But I'm running into a few issues here... I have a computer. Like tower and desktop and everything. My mother said she'll ship it since I obviously can't fit the whole thing in my suitcase.

 

But I'm worried about the important parts (motherboard and hard drive) breaking or getting damaged during the shipping process so I'd like to extract them and take them with me on the plane. Both my suitcases are PACKED and I'm scared I might snap them while sitting on the suitcase in order to get it closed. So I'd like to take it in my carry on... But can I do that? One, is that even allowed (We're flying Lufthansa, in case that matters) and two, should I be worried about the x ray damaging them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Congratulations on your visa approval!

 

You can wrap the individual parts in a anti-static bag and then bubble wrap. 

 

Honestly I would be easier to only take the hard drive and rebuild the computer over here. I would put it in the luggage not carry on. I don't think the x-rays will damage it though. So many people go through customs with their laptop which is scanned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country:
Timeline

I would leave the motherboard and hard drives in the tower if possible since they are screwed down and held in place by the case, same for the hard drives. I have flown with computer towers as my checked bag with no issues on the plane, just unplug the wires before you fly so they don't break the connectors and if you have an expensive video card it might be wise to take it out since they are not that secure in the case when they get heavy.

 

the x-ray will not hurt the components, they x-ray laptops all the time.  they may however need to open the box with the tower in it to make sure there is nothing illegal inside since the x-ray can't see inside the metal case. also filling the tower with clothes dampens the shock on the components so they are less likely to break and uses some space that would be wasted.

Edited by f f
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, LeonieJensen said:

Hi! My visa has been approved and our plane tickets to America are booked. We're flying in five days!
 

But I'm running into a few issues here... I have a computer. Like tower and desktop and everything. My mother said she'll ship it since I obviously can't fit the whole thing in my suitcase.

 

But I'm worried about the important parts (motherboard and hard drive) breaking or getting damaged during the shipping process so I'd like to extract them and take them with me on the plane. Both my suitcases are PACKED and I'm scared I might snap them while sitting on the suitcase in order to get it closed. So I'd like to take it in my carry on... But can I do that? One, is that even allowed (We're flying Lufthansa, in case that matters) and two, should I be worried about the x ray damaging them?

I bought an external hard disk with large space, bought the PC here instead. Got no problem carrying my external hdd in my handbag.

Removal of Conditions I-751

29 December 2017 - ROC Filing Opening Date (Expiry 29 Mar 2018)

29 December 2017 - I-751 Priority Mail shipped to VSC

2 January 2018 - Package delivered

8 January 2018 - Check cashed in

11 January 2018 - NOA received (DATE of NOA: 3 JAN 2018)

22 January 2018 - Biometrics Appointment letter received

30 January 2018 - Biometrics Appointment

11 August 2018 - 18 Months extension received (Exp on Sept 2019)

8 April 2019 - I751 Approved

12 April 2019 - NOA and greencard received

 

Help us all by updating your Timeline and Profile!:D

1. Click on your blue nickname on top right corner, there will be a dropdown menu> My Timeline > Edit/Add My Entry.

2. Click on your blue nickname at top right corner, dropdown menu > Account Settings > Profile > Edit Profile (Black button) > change your Filed for and Location.

3. If you would like to update your signature, click on your blue nickname on top right corner, dropdown menu> Account Settings > Left menu click on Signature.

IMPT: If you change address, DO NOT FORGET TO fill up AR-11 Online,for your USC Spouse, fill up I-865! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
Timeline

To be honest I wouldnt bother shipping the tower, I did this and because of the different power supply it didnt work as it did at home. Had a new power unit fitted and that was fine for a while. I would just take the hard drive and buy a new pc in the us. Just my experience.

Sal and Jay




K1 - Complete
AOS - Complete
EAD - Complete
AP - Complete
ROC - Complete

N400-Complete

I am a United States citizen!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/5/2017 at 10:46 AM, LeonieJensen said:

So I'd like to take it in my carry on... But can I do that? 

Yes

 

On 9/5/2017 at 10:46 AM, LeonieJensen said:

One, is that even allowed (We're flying Lufthansa, in case that matters)

Yes, and no, it does not matter.

 

On 9/5/2017 at 10:46 AM, LeonieJensen said:

and two, should I be worried about the x ray damaging them?

Maybe. No more than you would if they were checked in, as they would still be x-rayed. 

 

 

 

 

 

CR1 / DCF (London): 2012 / 2013 (4 months from I-130 petition to visa in hand)

I-751 #1- April 2015 [Denied]

 

April 2015 : I-751 Joint filing package sent fedex next day 09:00am from UK ($lots - thanks). 
Jan 2017: Notification that an interview has been scheduled at a local office. Bizarrely still no RFE... 
Jan 2017: 2hr wait, then interview terminated before it began, due to moving my ID to another state 2 wks prior. New interview 'in a few months...maybe.'   Informed them that divorce proceedings are underway, but not finalised at this time. 
March 2017: An Interview was scheduled - marked as no-show as they didn't actually send out a notification of interview. FML 
April  2017: Filed an official complaint with the ombudsman, and have requested Senator & Congressman assistance
August 2017: Interview - switched to a (finalised) divorce waiver. Told that decision will be made that afternoon, but no problems foreseen with my case. 
October 2017: Letter of Denial received - reason given as 'I-751 petition was not properly filed'. Discovered ex-spouse made false allegations to USCIS in 2015. No opportunity given to review & refute allegations  - contrary to USCIS policy.

I-751 #2 - Oct 2017 - Mar 2021[Denied] 

 

October 2017: Within 72hrs of receiving denial notice, a new waiver I-751, divorce decree & $680 cheque, sent to Vermont via FedEx overnight 9am priority.  
Dec 2019: Filed FOIA request for full A# file
Feb 2020: FOIA request completed - entire A# file received as a .PDF; 197 pages fully redacted, and 80 partially redacted. Don't waste your time!
March 2021: I-751 #2 denied for lack of evidence. No RFE, no interview, and evidence in previous I-751 not reviewed - contrary to policy. Huge errors in adjudication.

N-400 - Feb 2018 - Apr 2021 [Denied]

 

February 2018: N-400 filed online.  $725 paid to the USCIS paperwork wastage fund

February  2019: Interview - cancelled after a four hour wait due to 'missing paperwork' on their end. Promised Expedited reschedule.

March 2021: Interview letter received, strangely dated after I-751 denial. No I-751 interview conducted. N-400 interview and test passed, given 'cannot make a decision at this time' paper due to the ongoing I-751 nightmare...

April 2021: N-400 denial received citing recent I-751 denial as basis for ineligibility, even though it should have been a combo interview 🤯

I AM JACK'S COMPLETE LACK OF SURPRISE

 I-751 Service Motion - March 2021 [Sent via FedEx & COMPLETELY IGNORED by USCIS]

 

March 2021: Service Motion request sent overnight addressed direectly to field office director, requesting urgent review and re-opening, based on errors in adjudication - citing USCIS policy, AFM and memorandums as basis for errors. This was completely ignored by USCIS.

 I-751 #3 - June 2021 - Jan 2024 [Denied]

 

IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY

June 2021: I-751 #3 (30+lbs/5000 pages of paperwork) & another $680 sent to USCIS via FedEx ($300+..thanks) .... 

June 2021: Receipt issued, card charged, biometrics waived, infopass scheduled for I-551 stamp number ten.....

Feb 2022: RFIE (no, not an RFE, a Request For Initial Evidence) received, for copies of the divorce paperwork that they already have 😑

July 2022: Infopass for I-551 stamp number eleven.....

August 2023: Infopass for I-551 stamp number twelve....

January 2024: Denial received, ignoring the overwhelming majority of the filing, abundance of evidence, and refutation of a provably false allegation. The denial also contradicts itself in multiple places, as if it was written by someone with an IQ <50.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

2024: FML. Seriously. I'm done. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You could also get empty external hard drive cases of the appropriate sizes for them, which would solve the "snapping" concern. 

 

I have flown multiple times with my laptop and external hard drive in my carry on and I've never had an issue with anything being damaged. 

FYI all luggage gets xrayed, you just don't see it happen to your checked bags ;) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...