Safest way to haul a laptop around
 

Im just about to start my first IOE trip on Tuesday out of Charlotte for PSA and Id like some ideas on how to lug around my laptop. Just seems like a hassle to cram it in the flight case, an even bigger hassle to dig it out of your clothes at security to put the laptop in its OWN bin. How do you guys do it? Any tricks?

I have a targus leather case that attaches on top of my roller board. Stays secure strapped to that and protects the laptop way better than trying to put it in a flight case or roller board. It is more of an inconvenience but that's the price to pay to travel with a laptop.

I USED to pack it in suitcase, but I'm a commuter and the rampers eventually broke the screen (I packed a combo lock too close to it).

Now I carry a laptop case that slides over my rollaboard handle...this way I maintain positive control over the laptop at all times. I also carry books, magazines, and food in the laptop case.

For IOE, I would leave the laptop at home. Otherwise you'll be fumbling with it at security and on the plane, and you'll probably forget it somewhere...you don't want to take a departure delay cuz you had to go back to the hotel.

I took my laptop on IOE and didn't have any problems, but it was an added hassle. Pros and Cons to taking it for sure. I've got a LuggageWorks Stealth, and I just carefully pack it inbetween my clothes and count on the sturdy construction of the rollaboard to do the rest. Works well if you don't have to commute or deadhead and rely on the baggage handlers. It is an inconvenience at security, but you figure it out.

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The zeroshock cases are the best for traveling. Very slim and dont add much space but offer a ton of protection. Been using it with my 3 year old dell 700m, and it has held up GREAT. I highly highly recommend it.

I have a regular cheap laptop bag. It doesn't strap to anything so I have to lay it on top of the pull-out handle and hold it with the handle, but it's pretty easy. I take it in the cockpit with me and try not to forget it... If I have to deadhead it's a really easy carry on, and I can keep a book and ipod in there too.

I put mine in my suitcase. I have a Dell thats about 5 years old. Built like a tank...thats about its only positive...

Still a pain in the neck to take it out and have scanned, but what else are you going to do for 20 hours in _______ (insert poor overnight).

get the accident protection warranty with your next laptop, and then dont worry about anything :)

this is the only really good way to go. get a laptop case that has a strap on the back for attaching it to the rollerboard. i even have the stealth with the laptop pocket but dont trust it enough to keep the computer from being smashed. so i have my flight case, rollerboard, and laptop case. that is all i carry around. and like rick said just leave your laptop at home for ioe. it is just one other thing you will have to be thinking about while you are trying to learn to fly the "real" plane.

Get a laptop backpack. Easy to travel with and you can use it for something else besides work.