V-Flyer

I've just been looking at the Dell US web site, and the prices are (as well as the £/$ rate being favourable) surprisingly low - even by normal UK v US standards. So, I started thinking about buying a nice shiny 24" hi res LCD/TFT monitor over there, but then of course started thinking about the practicalities of getting it back. Has anyone any experience of getting relatively fragile packages/goods back to the UK from the US on VAA (or any other method I suppose) in one piece?

Thanks.

Just packed monitors in checked baggage surrounded by dirty clothes...

What would the security screeners make of a suitcase filled with complex electronics? I appreciate they can of course open the case and give it a good look-over, but would they let that much electronics onto a plane if they can't verify it really IS just a monitor?

Given the US/UK price difference, it's almost worth buying a rigid suitcase (and packing the monitor in loads of bubble-wrap) for the purpose of getting the screen back to the UK alone.

HAve TSA locks on and didn't get a note last time.

On an X-Ray machine a computer monitor looks...just like a computer monitor. At LHR security are so used to seeing staff take McDonalds breakfasts through X-ray on a Sunday they can tell you exactly what you've got without looking in the bag.

As Decker suggested as a precaution put TSA locks on the case.

Yes, already have TSA locks for my cases. I suppose given that cases often have to be x-rayed before they dissappear into the terminal on the conveyor belts, I could at the time of giving the case to TSA people tell them what's in there and ask if they want to inspect it further etc; wouldn't take long.

Hi All

I would be tempted to check it in still in the box you buy it in ........ Dell kit is normally very well packed .... only down side is customs this end ... but you have that risk anyway even amongst dirty clothes.......just my 2c worth

MS

Hasten to add this was taking stuff out to a conference and back. When doing SA we actually bought monitors out there and gave them away shipping cost so much!

I have to wonder what UK Customs are actually looking out for....

Last November, I was in the USA when the PlayStation3 was launched. I followed someone through Customs at MAN a few days later with a PS3, completely "boxed up" and sealed & he was not stopped. (Yes, there were a couple of Customs Officers at the entrance to the Green channel too - even if the guy had the cheaper variant of the PS3, it was over his £145 Customs allowance).

Guessing high excise items and drugs. .

Funnily enough most US trips involve an order from DrugStore.com.... how civilised. Mail Order.

I almost emboldened the i.

Also, if it does get damaged, VS wont pay out for it as the such items are beyond the normal terms and conditions of baggage acceptance.

Get a sturdy case and some travel insurance!

Does anyone know what Air-freighting the Monitor from the (US to LHR)in its original packing might cost? It would be weighing in at around 9-10Kg, and in a box probably 12"x30"x24".

This might in some respects be safer (although probably not cheaper!).

Originally posted by Lipstick
Also, if it does get damaged, VS wont pay out for it as the such items are beyond the normal terms and conditions of baggage acceptance.

Get a sturdy case and some travel insurance!

Sorry this is a little late but it took a while to get this back from VS

Dear Decker,

Thank you for your latest email, I apologise for the delayed response.

I am very pleased to advise that you are able to check your Flat Panel Monitor into the hold, however we do advise you to have it suitably packaged with bubble wrap and marked fragile.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.


Kind regards

******* *******
Contact Centre Customer Services Team

Originally posted by vizbiz
What would the security screeners make of a suitcase filled with complex electronics? I appreciate they can of course open the case and give it a good look-over, but would they let that much electronics onto a plane if they can't verify it really IS just a monitor?

Since 9/11 I have had to check all of the electronics testing kit that I take with me, primarily because it includes a comprehensive toolkit with pointy bits. I put it all into a semi hard ballistic nylon TravelPro case, and then use bubble wrap on the indvidual items inside. Believe me, on the x-ray it looks like a disater area, and the TSA have opened it on a number of occasions. Interesting that no other agency feel the need to. I have been pleasantly surprised that it has always arrived intact, and without any security problem. On one occasion the ballistic nylon was ripped right through, on another it came off the back of a limobike on the Cromwell Road, and it's gone missing (but returned a day or two later) twice.

Think bubble wrap, and then some more bubble wrap. As an aside there was a recent Brainiac where they chucked an old CRT TV/video combo out of the back of a van using a number of different protection methods, and bubble wrap was the definite winner.

I brought back a telescope from the US about seven or eight years ago on VS. It was in a custom made foam insert case, and it went in the hold as it was too big for cabin baggage. It arrived in perfect order.

Now whether a 'Fragile' sticker makes one iota of difference, I don't know.

Cheers, Howard

I checked in a large very fragile item in March from MCO, they put an UC tag on and a fragile, didn't think it would arrive without being snapped. First item up and in perfect condition. We were in PE, our other nine cases came up before everyone elses, probably had a loading crate to ourselves!!

My trusty x-box has travelled in my suitcase extensively wrapped up in clothes and has not suffered any ill effect or aroused any unwarrented suspicion. When i travel on a long term assignment it is usually accompanied by by a multitude of other computer peripherals, power supplies, cables and adaptors. Again with no problem.

I've also had an accoustic guitar in a softcase survive a flight from Hong Kong to London with nothing more than a fragile sticker.

If it's really valuable, look at getting a Peli case to ship it in. They are expensive but well worth it.

[url=www.peli.com]