My older father will be flying alone soon on a domestic flight with a cat carrier as his main carryon. To save him from lugging even more weight, we're considering packing his (heavy) laptop inside a checked suitcase fastened by one of the new TSA-approved locks (Brookstone Easy Check). Because he'll be leaving from a smallish airport, I expect we'll be able to point out the fancy lock to the TSA screener receiving the bag.

Comments? Has anyone checked a laptop in a locked suitcase before?

Don't do it. I wouldn't pack a laptop in a checked suitcase if the TSA were personally guarding it.

If I couldn't hand-carry it, I wouldn't take it.

tahl

I second bookhall.

My co-worker was flying into Dallas for a meeting - checked in his bag with the laptop(for reasons unknown and the airline lost the bag and found it only as he was ready to leave.

Don't do it!!!!
Besides the possibility of theft there is the very real chance that it could be damaged in transit.
I have successfully FedEx'd my laptop and other expensive equipment.
I packed it in a box with styrofoam inserts I got from the BestBuy trash can. Then I put it in another box with a cushion of airbags all around.
Sounds like a lot of hassle but it was not...

Tx is right. Ship and insure it for enough to cover a replacement.

Make sure you backup the data on the laptop too!

My boss got FIRED for checking his laptop! It was considered "poor judgment."

Agree that checking a laptop is asking for trouble. Have you seen how luggage is treated? I've seen people get bags that are broken, sodden and hard cases resembling clams on the half shell.

If he has to have it ship it ahead well-packed and fully insured.

As far as the TSA-approved locks - well, the recent NYT Travel Section article mentioned that the agents often don't the the "key" for these (they're in the office somewhere) and break these off as they do other locks.

Never ever pack anything of value in the checked luggage. Ok, so your clothing is worth something, but unless you wear everything in layers you have no choice.

Definitely do not pack the laptop. Consider pre-shipping if your father must be connected!!!