Bringing computer on an airplane

[Snow0296]

Hi guys,

 

I am currently staying in another country for my studies. Soon, I will be go back to my home country for more than a month. I planned to bring my computer since it will be the only game that I can game on. How safe is it to bring a computer on an airplane. It is just a plain setup. 3770k, stock cooler, 1 hard drive, 1 wifi pci, an ssd and ofcourse a PSU. It is in a Cooler Master Elite 34x(cant remember the exact number) M atx case. 

 

Thanks in advance :)

[panfriedpuppies]

If it were me, I'd just carry the case with me at all times, regardless of what other passengers think. You're allowed your carry-on luggage and you can just sit with it on the plane.

[Snow0296]

They wont allow me to bring it in. They dont allow it here since im quite sure it is over 7kg, the limit. Im currently in Malaysia, and sometimes security can be really strict. And no trolleys, im to weak to carry it all the way up :(

[crunzaty]

Some companies are really nice and can take it to the front of the plane or something.

But then again, most of them is money whores and all they want is money.

Just call and ask whoever you'll travel with and ask what you can do if you bring that thing with you. Just don't say "beast" or it's a "bomb" and you should be fine xD

[ccaian]

Linus brought his rig too lol. I don't see a problem with the bringing a rig onto a plane. When I bring my laptop/rig overseas, I just stuff a bunch of clothing or towels around the rig to make sure it doesn't get damaged. You still have to be careful with it though. I recommend those type of bags that you can just drag around.

[pierrelucsav]

Not a good idea. Pack it well and ship it to your home. 

[aba]

This may be completely stupid but ship the case with mobo and everything sturdy. And take any loose/fragile parts in your carry on like hard drives and video cards etc.. 

[Snow0296]

I'm traveling alone. I still have the case box with me and huge piece of bubble wrap that came with my graphic card(shipped). Is it better for me to use the box or a luggage?   

 

As much as possible I don't want to ship it since it will be to much for me to pay and I am aware that it might cost more if any parts broke. I might pull out my graphic cards, wifi lci and hard drive.

 

Actually, the only thing that im most concerned about is the cpu chip.

[Marc030]

Well if you put it in your Luggage expect  it to be thrown around and i dont think anything will protect your pc while its being thrown around. safest bet is taking out the mobo/harddrives/gpu and pack them up and carry them with you and put the rest in a bag.

[Snow0296]

Alright, Thanks guys. I might just bring my MBA home then. Gonna consider it, have about 2 weeks till my flight.

[aba]

If shipping; go out and buy a bunch of packing materials, a 10 dollar investment in bubble wrap will save you 1000's

[Snow0296]

I still have a bunch of bubble wrap with me. I bought a 660ti, and they shipped it in a  huge box full of bubble wraps

[vanwazltoff]

SNAKES ON A PLANE!!!

[nicholaswillems]

Fill your case with as much bubble wrap as you can :D

[Mac]

I would take the WiFi card and PSU out then pack it with bubble wrap, put it in a suitcase along with the PSU and card then wrap it all in a much bubble wrap in the case. 

 

Then put a fragile sticker on it and hope it's not thrown around too much.

[Night]

Couldnt you fill your case's insited with bubble wrap, fil the inside of your suit case with bubble wrap. Then just have a dedicated suitcase for your computer? Take it as an extra bag or something?

Depending on how much it weighs and stuff it might be ok.

[911^NEmeSis]

I would probably just stuff it in a heavy duty case with LOADS of protective wrapping + foam etc, though even this could be risky judging by what I've seen airport staff do to people's luggage. Perhaps the airline have some sort of special item based system for expensive things. Tell them you want to transport a fragile item, something along those lines.

[Snow0296]

is it better for me to put it in a box? the cardboard box that came with the case

[Salmiakbal]

Build a custom wooden crate with about 10cm to spare all around the case, then fill it with styrofoam peanuts

You can probably leave the graphicscard in and such

[arodrake]

If you're planning to ship your PC, i would highly recommend disassembling the parts before you ship it.
Your GPU/ ram/ large cpu fan/ sound cards/ harddrives may become loose and may damage other components. 
I've had a computer posted before in UK and damaged my GPU. So, better to be safe than sorry.
If you have anti-static bags to hold them,that would be awesome. Also wrap them with lots of bubble bag.

If you're planning to bring it with you on the aeroplane, i'm not so sure if certain plane companies allow you to hand carry such a large machine? There are certain dimensions and weight rules you need to adhere to; your hand carry has to be placed in the overhead compartments.

I would try to avoid putting your whole computer in a suitcase, especially watching some videos of how staff treat your luggage/parcels. But if you disassemble and pack it well, it should be fine.

[rashdanml]

Originally, I removed the hard drives and packed those separately with plenty of cushion. More recently, I checked it in as a fragile item; there was a specific baggage drop-off for oversized/fragile items. It survived 3 trips (only damage was a broken thumbscrew for the side panel). The latter 2 trips were with the HDDs installed, and both survived. Used the original case packaging (foam was a bit beaten up, but it managed).

 

Should be fine as long as there's a separate drop-off for fragile items. If not, I'd pack it extra carefully with lots of cushioning before checking it in. Could always tell the folks at the baggage checkin that the items are fragile.

[Frix]

You could ship it but that could be expensive depending on where you live