Mac Mini through airport security?

[sputkin]

This is a bit of an odd question, but I need to take a Mac Mini with me on a flight from Nashville to Frankfurt next month. Would I be allowed to bring that as a carryon? (im talking just the cpu, not a monitor or anything).

I'm sure the TSA inspectors would have no idea what it is unfortunately, and there's really no way to turn it on to show them like you could with a laptop. Has anyone ever done it or heard of anyone doing it? I could check it in my luggage, but other than it being stolen I thought you weren't allowed to check laptops in luggage, so i'm assuming it's the same deal with a computer?

Any ideas or thoughts? I'd appreciate any help!!

 

[Gunslinger08]

Just ship it to yourself to avoid the hassle.

 

[sputkin]

Good point I guess, just that since i'm a student the "take it with you for free" option is what i first thought of.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Just make sure you put it in a separate bin when you go through security like you would a laptop. It's not a big deal (at least from my experience in Reagan National)

 

[ultimatebob]

Yeah, not a big deal. The TSA drones will probably think that it's a portable hard drive or something similar.

 

[mugs]

Yes, there should be no problem. Just tell them it's a computer... it's not like it's completely unidentifiable.

 

[sputkin]

Ok, well that's good to know. I'm having to get dropped off at the airport like 4 hours early so I suppose I've got time to (try) and explain anyway, hehe.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I say it's 99% likely that no one will care or say anything.

 

[Praetor]

Print out the web page so they can see exactly what it is if you do get someone that tries to question it.

 

[thehstrybean]

Maybe you'll wind up like that lady who had a MBA and the TSA couldn't figure out what it was, so they made her miss her flight...

Or you could get tased for bringing a "bomb"..

I'd go with one or the other
:beer:

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Maybe you'll wind up like that lady who had a MBA and the TSA couldn't figure out what it was, so they made her miss her flight...

Or you could get tased for bringing a "bomb"..

I'd go with one or the other
:beer:

TSA stopped her for having a postgraduate degree?

 

[indamixx99]

MBA = MacBook Air

i had to re-read it over to get that.

 

[Skunkwourk]

you'll be fine, I had a friend who put a whole computer tower in his carry on.

 

[Evadman]

Why would you take the CPU out of the mini and carry only that?

 

[Baked]

Just the CPU eh?

 

[gwai lo]

I take my SFF to and from school for most of the major breaks. I've never had an issue with TSA here, they usually give me a weird look though. =X

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: indamixx99
MBA = MacBook Air

i had to re-read it over to get that.

I figured it out after scratching my head, I was just being facetious.