<p>Does anyone know what the current restrictions (in the US) are for carry-on luggage for planes? (I’m still thinking in terms of what happened last summer in England.) I’m leaving for a vacation this weekend, and I’d like to take my laptop (and iPod) with me. I think I’ll have Internet access where I’m going, and of course, I need music (or something to do) on a plane. However, I don’t want to take them with me if I’ll need to place them in regular storage in the cargo holder under the seats. They may get broken, lost, or stolen. </p>
<p>Laptops and iPods and similar electronics are fine for planes. The biggest thing right now is the new rule regarding liquids/gels. Any liquids (including shampoo, lotion, water, liquid makeup, etc.) need to be in containers that are no bigger than 3 oz and put together in a plastic bag. They generally have plastic bags of the correct size lying near security stations at the airports. You can find the complete rules about what you can and cannot bring on the FAA website, I believe.</p>
<p>You never want to check electronics through in your suitcase, simply because if your bag gets lost they are exempt from being covered by the airline (you will not get reimbursed for them). That’s true for jewelry, “breakables,” prescriptions and antiques as well.</p>
<p>Even more to the point, TSA employees or airline luggage handlers will steal everything out of your suitcase that is portable and worth more than about $10. Don’t even think about checking luggage with anything valuable in it.</p>
<p>Only 264 thefts from luggage were reported to TSA last year. This was on the news today. Yes, it’s up from the previous year, but when I think about the number of flights, it’s astonishingly low.</p>
<p>I had two in one year (2005). I reported both to the airline, but not the TSA. I’d bet a dollar that the airlines do not routinely report theft/loss claims to the TSA. In 2005, I only took three business trips and had something stolen twice – that’s a 33% rate (two out of six flights). Either I am a bizarre statistical outlier or TSA is seriously misrepresenting the facts. Since I have a coworker who had an expensive electric razor go missing earlier this year, I’m guessing the TSA is exercising amazing math skills.</p>
<p>Also, be careful of deodorant. Even though my deodorant was not a gel, I got flagged for a search since I didn’t have it in a separate plastic baggie. If you put deodorant in your carry-on, I’d suggest to be on the safe side and put it into your plastic bag and avoid even the possibility of a hassle.</p>