Anyone taken a TiVo (or similar) on a flight in carry-on baggage?

[olnacl]

I'm wondering whether it would be a hassle going through security if I packed a TiVo that I'm giving to a friend in my laptop computer bag as carry-on luggage. I'd hate to check it, knowing how luggage is handled, plus I'm traveling light and would prefer not to pay extra for a checked bag.

I'll just ship it if it's going to be a hassle.

[Gareth]

I've carried more suspicious electronics than a TiVo multiple times. 95%+ of the time, my bag gets extra screening. I should really take it out of my bag (it's a small pelican case stuffed with electronics and batteries), but I know they're going to bomb residue test it anyway, so I don't bother.

So, take it out of your bag (i.e. treat it like a laptop) for the X-Ray machine, and expect it to be bomb residue tested. The bigger issue, though, is that a TiVo might be a tight fit in a bag that is a carry-on approved size.

[davester]

I think you're worrying about nothing. How do you think it was treated when it was originally delivered to the store you bought it at? My advice would be to just box it up with plenty of padding (Peanuts or the like), put "FRAGILE" stickers on it, get to the airport a little early and check it. In my experience fragile items are treated differently and will not come out of the baggage carousel but will be delivered separately to the airline baggage office. You can always call the airline and ask about their particular policy/methods.

[DRR]

Just ship it. As if the airport isn't enough of a hassle, you want to carry around a fairly large (light, but bulky) tivo unit, packed with peanuts or the like, go through additional security, lug the thing through the airport, argue with the flight attendants about whether the box fits in overhead, have them try to cram it, realize it doesn't fit, and then have to gate check it anyway?

Just spend $20 and send it. Throw in an extra $10 for insurance or extra packing material. I don't know about you but for me, that level of additional stress is not worth saving $30.

[Robert M]

Ol,

I'm with DRR, especially if you want to travel light. Lugging around a boxed up TIVO in itself is inconvenient and definitely not for those who want to travel light. Having to deal with security makes it even more of a pain in the tuckus. Imagine the agita you'll experience if airport security decides to inspect the TIVO itself!

Pack the TIVO in a box, preferably it's original box. Stuff it appropriately. Take that box and put it into a larger carton with additional packaging material. Appropriate and ample stuffing material is key. A strong out box is a must as well. Once you've packaged TIVO, ship it to its intended recipient.

Insure the TIVO. Make sure to use a shipper that allows for tracking of the package. Insure it. I wouldn't inclined to allow the delivery staff to just leave the box outside the door of the recipients home, so adult signature required is a must, too. This is why I have everything shipped to my office. There is always someone there to receive it for me.

Consider... Like you, I also like to travel light. There are times when I'll ship my clothing and such to my intended destination in advance, i.e. if I'm visiting friends and family. That way, I just take a super light bag on the plane or the train and grab my gear from the place that has it upon arrival. It is vastly easier than dealing with a big carry or and/or checking in bags. Unfortunately, this method isn't always feasible.

Robert

[DRR]

Robert M wrote:

Consider... Like you, I also like to travel light. There are times when I'll ship my clothing and such to my intended destination in advance, i.e. if I'm visiting friends and family. That way, I just take a super light bag on the plane or the train and grab my gear from the place that has it upon arrival. It is vastly easier than dealing with a big carry or and/or checking in bags. Unfortunately, this method isn't always feasible.

Robert

I've done that on business trips - but the opposite direction. Use soft luggage for your clothes, bring them on your trip, wear them, pack your dirties and your soft luggage in a box and send them home. My philosophy being, once I'm home I have plenty to wear, and it's so much easier than dragging a bag full of dirty clothes home. A couple of bucks spent at the post office and dirties show up a few days later and go right in the laundry.

Travel is difficult enough, don't make it harder on yourself and your fellow passengers.

[Robert M]

DRR,

Exactly!

Robert

[olnacl]

Thanks all for the suggestions, although those are alternatives I had already considered. What I planned to do was put the Tivo, unboxed, in a carry-on bag (it fits in my computer backpack, as I mentioned) and keep it in my control for the trip. I was wondering what hassle I might have with security when I went through the line, and Gareth pretty well answered the question in the first reply.
Thanks.

[Robert M]

Ol

You'll also have the issue of the TIVO getting bounced and jounced as you're walking through the airport and/or in the overhead bins. Definitely not good for a machine with a hard disk in it. Unlike a laptop, a TIVO isn't intended to carried around, even on a short trip. Believe it or not, it's likely to suffer from less jouncing in a delivery vehicle due to superior protective packaging.

Robert