Can anybody explain what I should do with my laptop to make sure I am ready to go quickly through security. I have purchased it since my last flight, and I have not had to worry about it yet, but as a courtesy I don't want to hold other people up in line either. I have a hard metal case where I also keep my IPod, power cords, etc.

Thanks All

Just be sure it's charged, since you might be asked to start it up.

You must take it out of the case and place it in a plastic bin without anything else.

You will need to remove the laptop from the case and place it in a bin to go through the security line. Make sure you place the laptop in it's own bin, separate from your other belongings. I recently have been traveling for business and I was asked by TSA to make sure the laptop is in it's own bin.

All Right. Thanks for the warning. I just want to avoid being a pain as much as possible to the people behind me, and now I know what I should do. Thanks

On a recent trip, after removing the laptop from its case and putting the case with accessories in one bin and the laptop itself in another, I made the mistake of dropping my cell phone into the bin with the laptop. I was quickly reprimanded and told to put it in the other bin. There can't be anything but the laptop in its bin (or tub, as I call them).

What about laptops without batteries?

I might be making a trip soon and would need to be able to get online with the office. I need portability but not wireless - I am always near 110v so I don't even have batteries.

Should I have the AC adapter REAL handy?
Same tub as PC or with the other junk?

Ok, rb... time for a cocktail

A cocktail does not answer the question.

I've read that the PC must be turned on. The only way TSA will see anything is if I can plug the machine in. The batteries died LONG ago and have been discarded.

"TSA will see anything is if ..." should have read "TSA will sae anything displayed on the screen is if ..."

I seriously thought you were joking... sorry.
In 10 years and more than 600 flights, I have never had anyone ask me to boot up my laptop.
BUT I have never tried to carry on a laptop without a battery.
Who knows, that may trigger some suspicion.

Thank you for the serious reply ... I seldom joke on Fodors. I've seen laptops turned on, but I think the owner did it. The guidelines just state that you may be asked to activate the PC, which of course I'd then need to plug in the adapter.

The batteries may be the most "suspicious" part of the unit anyway!

In all my travels, I have yet to see anyone look close enough at my laptop to know if it had batteries or anything else. And I am another who has never been asked to turn it on; nor have I seen anyone near me asked to do so.

Kinda side issue...I was pulled aside for a wand check (my new knee beeped), and the laptop was out of my sight for a few minutes. Not out of my wife's sight, thank goodness, but if I had been alone I might not have a laptop today.

Just hold onto your laptop until the last possible moment and never take your eyes off of it until it goes into the scanner. If you get stopped going through the tunnel, be sure to tell security to grab your laptop and hold it for you. In all the commotion, it's really easy for someone to pick it up and walk off like they own it. Yes, I'm paranoid about it. BTW, my daughter travels frequently for business and has never had to boot hers up.