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.

That's true, but what about that whole trying to maintain a professional appearance thing? It's debatable, but I think backpacks are for hikers/students/etc., not pilots.

I have the Purdy Neat bag with the laptop pouch and LOVE IT. Its a padded pouch built into the front of bag. It doesn't look like much but the padding is a soft honeycomb that does a very good job protecting it. Only problem with it is anything larger than a 15.4 inch screen really won't fit (I have a Dell Inspiron with the 15.4 inch screen and it barely fits) but it beats the hell out of carrying a third bag. I don't commute so that might change your mind. I don't trust it with the bag smashers because if you dropped something on it just right no amount of padding will protect it. I think if I commuted I would go with the separate laptop bag just because of the convenience and because you can keep a book, ipod, earplugs, whatever in it.

i just went out and got a relatively cheap laptop, 100 bucks from my dads IT guy at work! You know the ones that are supposed to be thrown away, but the IT guy sells them out of his car! So i dont really have to worry about it! i usually put it inside my rollaboard, on top of all my clothes and shoes and then put a hooded sweatshirt over it! Only have some minor dings and dents from deadheading a lot last year! I am about to start taking my mac on trips though and that will stay in a laptop case and it will stay on my person at all times!

I went to best buy and bought a cheapy $50 carrying case with the little strap to attach to my rollerboard.

I have a Dell XPS with the big ol screen, and it fits fine in the case. I carry my laptop, a book, ipod, dip, wallet, etc in the case, and theres still room. and its surprisingly a thin carrying case.

And I keep it in the cockpit with me.

Bingo...Holds far more than a Laptop case, and you can use it for double-duty on your days off.

Victorinox (Swiss Army) makes a few black professional Laptop Backpacks that go well with the rollaboard/flight kit combo. Don't get me wrong - I would never be caught dead carrying a pack over my shoulder...:eek: BTW, saw a mainline CAL pilot carrying a cheapo bag on both shoulders...Looks slutty in uniform. Don't do it. Please.

Just don't set it on the floor next to your bed at night! You may wake up the next morning and cleverly step directly onto the screen (YOU may, I doubt if I will again)!

LOL Scarykite not everyone has that kinda luck.. some of us have to pay a little more for ours

True, however I am amazed at how many guys at the majors I see with backpacks. No-kidden.....I see a United or American guy with one in the cockpit at least every month during my commute. Never seen them wear it on the shoulder, they just strap it on there rollerboard and go. Maybe their all hikers on overnights?

Thanks a bunch for the info, sounds like the most common is to just strap it to the rollerboard and just bite the bullet at security. Thanks

Become an FFDO and don't worry about security again.