Time-Saving Tips for Traveling With Techno-Gear

Jason Tuohey, special to PC World

The holidays can be a ghastly time to travel, with long lines at airport security and passengers stuffed tightly into every last seat. It can be even tougher if you're planning on carting an IPod filled with holiday tunes, a digital camera with pictures of your kids, or even your PDA and laptop in case--ugh--work duty calls.

But with careful planning, you can reduce the hassles of traveling with your wired toys.

Each air traveler is allowed up to two carry-on items, and you should make sure one of them is a bag filled with all your tech gear. Remember that electronic devices and accessories tend to make security checkers nervous. If your power cords and rechargers are interspersed with your lunch, spare PJs, and racy novel, you're setting yourself up to having all of it pawed through by harassed security checkers. Check out the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's Web site for general advice on speeding through security lines.

Experienced PC World editors make sure that their electronics bag is not stored inside any other carry-on luggage as they go through security. They are backed up in this approach by John Hawks, the president of the Association of Retail Travel Agents, an advocacy group for travelers and travel agents. Hawks recommends putting cables, chargers, and smaller devices into clear plastic bags to keep things organized when going through security.

And if you'd like to get a general idea of the security wait times at various airports, the TSA provides estimates--although during the year-end holiday travel scramble, the reality may vary quite a bit.

Good News on Camera Front

One piece of good news on traveling with technology gear this season comes from the TSA. The agency says that it is okay to send your digital camera memory cards through the checkpoint X-ray machine. The agency recently conducted tests with the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) and found no evidence of X-ray scanner damage to digital camera media cards or to the images they hold.

And though camera phones were not explicitly tested, it is likely that their images will be safe as well. However, watch out for your film-based cameras. X-ray scanners for both checked and carry-on luggage can fog both developed and undeveloped film.

"Our tests should put travelers' fears to rest, that their digitally captured holiday memories won't be damaged in transit," says Lisa Walker, I3A President. "Digital cameras and media can safely go in carry-ons without the need for hand-inspection, which will simplify security checks and make those long lines move a little faster."

On another camera note, if you plan to leave some photos on your parents' PC, be sure to pack the digital camera cord that lets you download photos from the camera to the computer. If not that, bring along a memory card reader or even extra memory cards. That way, you'll retain the ability to snap another 62 shots of the baby eating the candy cane.

Brrrrrr Is Bad

It's common sense that transporting delicate technology equipment in checked baggage is just too dangerous. And, according to Mike Goguen, a sales manager with British Airways, airlines have a relatively low legal responsibility for damaged items. Goguen says the compensation "won't even be close" to the cost of a new PDA or laptop that doesn't arrive at your destination the same way you last saw it. "I would never, ever check a laptop," he says.

Keeping techno-gear with you also protects against the chance that it will get chilled during a long flight, which can damage some devices. The same goes for driving during the holidays--don't leave your laptop, PDA, or camera in the trunk of your car if you're driving to, say, Michigan to see the family.

If you don't have a bag to comfortably transport your tech gear, you might want to invest in one. Targus, for example, makes backpacks and rolling bags for notebooks, so you can avoid lugging around a bulky shoulder bag.

The Things We've Left Behind

According to American Airlines spokesperson Jacquie Young, one of the biggest problems holiday travelers experience is leaving a cable or adapter behind after going through security. After all, there's no point in taking the notebook if you run out of juice midholiday because your power cord is still sitting at LaGuardia. Young suggests labeling your items with your name and address, even if just with masking tape, so you can easily reclaim your cords at an airport lost and found, if necessary.

Lightening the Load

To further reduce the snake's nest of coils and chargers you need to bring, you might want to look into universal adapters that allow you to charge multiple devices through the same plug.

Don't forget that you might not be able to find the batteries, memory cards, and storage drives you need at your destination--especially if you're visiting the boonies.

Hawks, of the travel agents' association, says that travelers often complain to him that airports and local stores lack the accessories they need. Plan accordingly by bringing plenty of backups so that you don't run out while you're on vacation. You could go to the closest Best Buy or CompUSA to restock on the more common items, like memory cards. But really, didn't you already spend enough time frantically shopping at malls this season?