Who takes their console with them on the road?

[Qb]

We're flying to Florida for a little over a week to spend Christmas with my family. I'm tempted to take my new PS3 slim with me, as my Dad has a nice HDTV in his den I could hook it up to if I needed a little gaming fix. I used to do this all the time when I was kid, but I haven't for a long time. My question is, with all the current inspection regulations for flying, what would be the best way to pack it?

My gut says to take it in a carry on, but I know they are touchy about electronics now (having to turn it on to show it works) and for some reason I don't like the idea of putting through the baggage scanner (probably not harmful, but it can expose undeveloped film!). But I REALLY don't like the idea of putting it in a checked bag, even if it's packed carefully, as you know it won't be handled carefully.

Any experienced travelers care to chime in?

[Sting]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

I would treat it just like a laptop. Keep it with you at all times. Definitely carry it on, maybe pack it in a bookbag.

[Chef Matt]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

We're flying to Florida for a little over a week to spend Christmas with my family. I'm tempted to take my new PS3 slim with me, as my Dad has a nice HDTV in his den I could hook it up to if I needed a little gaming fix. I used to do this all the time when I was kid, but I haven't for a long time. My question is, with all the current inspection regulations for flying, what would be the best way to pack it?

My gut says to take it in a carry on, but I know they are touchy about electronics now (having to turn it on to show it works) and for some reason I don't like the idea of putting through the baggage scanner (probably not harmful, but it can expose undeveloped film!). But I REALLY don't like the idea of putting it in a checked bag, even if it's packed carefully, as you know it won't be handled carefully.

Any experienced travelers care to chime in?

I used to take my PS2 EVERYWHERE! But I have a portable screen for it.

PS3? too fragile, so I went and bought a PSP. That I don't ever leave home without.

[yankeesgiants]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

call ahead to findout first.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

I would always bring my PS2 places, (slim and bulky) but never my PS3. I only bring my PS3 to places within driving distance. Never on flights.

[aukevin]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

I have a carry-on for both my PS3 and my Wii. If I'm out of town more than a couple days, those guys come with me.

[BurghFan]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

I used to take my PS2 with me to the beach. Unfortunately I haven't been to the beach in 5 years . We're going to try to get there next summer though.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

Carry on in a lap top bag that opens in halves, that way they can see very fast and easy that its a PS3. So make sure you have all the cables neatly together and out at the top for there wont be no confusion of why you got wires in your bag LOL.

I remember last year that caused a 1 hour hold up for this college kid. They were about to detonate that boy PS3. And lord help you if get a TSA worker who dont play videogames, because that will be an all day event trying to explain what a PS3 is......

[Burns11]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

Why not pack the thing up and ship it UPS or something? To me it'd definitely be worth the money to avoid carrying it around not to mention the hassles with security.

[eDotd]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

Pack it in a carry-on and you should be fine. I took my 360 with me to San Francisco in a carry on only to find out that the hotel I stayed at didn't have component/HDMI input on the TV's.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

Yeah, just treat it like a laptop.

[luv_mist]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

They are going to make you take it out so they can inspect it but it's solid as a carry on. Enjoy it.

[bh446066]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

With my last job I would travel 2-3 weeks out of the month, and you better believe I took my PS2 with me. It didn't look the best on those cr@ppy Holiday Inn Express TVs, but it was much better then doing the as$hole shuffle through the channels every night. I got some serious franchising done in those days. I never take my PS3 anywhere.

[KG]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

Pack it in a carry-on and you should be fine. I took my 360 with me to San Francisco in a carry on only to find out that the hotel I stayed at didn't have component/HDMI input on the TV's.

That's the worst. I usually call ahead and find out.

Q call TSA
1-866-289-9673

Just ask them what to do.

[SqueakyD]

Re: Who takes their console with them on the road?

From the TSA website...

Effective August 4, 2007, laptop computers, full-size video game consoles (for example Playstation®, X-box®, or Nintendo®), full-size DVD players, and video cameras that use video cassettes must be removed from their carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening. Laptop computers and video cameras that use cassettes have long been subject to this policy.
What Needs to be Screened Separately

• Laptops
• Full-size video game consoles
• Full-size DVD players
• Video cameras that use video cassettes
• CPAP breathing machines

Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.

What I do is put my PS3 and all my controllers and cables in one backpack... The console itself should be placed in there so it's easily removable. Once at the checkpoint leave the accessories in the backpack and stick the console in a seperate bin ... There was one instance where one of the TSA guys shouted "PS3! YEAAH!"... Definitely took my mind off the stressful experience at the checkpoints.