Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!rex!ames!dftsrv!drax!buck From: buck@drax.gsfc.nasa.gov (Loren (Buck) Buchanan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops Subject: Re: Airport hassle with laptops? Message-ID: <4193@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov> Date: 12 Dec 90 18:28:27 GMT References: <4117@mindlink.UUCP> Sender: news@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov Reply-To: buck@drax.gsfc.nasa.gov (Loren (Buck) Buchanan) Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation @ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Lines: 28 In article <4117@mindlink.UUCP> a1695@mindlink.UUCP (Guy Saffold) writes: >I've been through almost every major airport in Canada from Montreal to >Victoria carrying my laptop and have never been asked to demostrate >that it works. I carry it in my briefcase which I simply run through >the x-ray machine. Is there a hazard in this? I would worry more about magnetic fields from the motors driving the belts than I would the X-rays. The amount of radiation recieved during the scan is probably less than that received during the flight (assuming a couple of hours at 35000+ feet). Battery backed DRAM is where you are likely to get hit first (by prematurely discharging the capacitor, and thus losing a bit). I don't worry much about sending my laptop through the scanner, I have a full metal case, but it has only saved me the hassel of turning on twice. Several airports I have been to recently have special stands with electric outlets conveniently located (the first time I was asked to turn it on, the guard pointed to an outlet 25' away). The benefits of having your laptop with you far outweigh an hassles I have had in the 5 years I have had mine. B Cing U Buck Loren Buchanan | buck@drax.gsfc.nasa.gov | #include CSC, 1100 West St. | ...!ames!dftsrv!drax!buck | typedef int by Laurel, MD 20707 | (301) 497-2531 | void where_prohibited(by law){} Phone tag, America's fastest growing business sport.