Can I take a computer with me on an Air India flight, any limitations warnings

qwan · May 9th, 2009, 01:34

I want to take my computer which is housed in an Asus server cabinet(no monitor). Its dimensions Width 9inches(23cms), height and length 18 inches(46cms) It must weight around 7 kgs.
Will i have any problem carrying it with me. I plan to put it in a dedicated trolley kind of a rectangular shaped travel bag.
Will I be able to take that with be to my seat. The only other bag which I will be carrying will be a big backpack, which obviously will go in the luggage.
Are there any restrictions on such electronic items. I mean I know if a laptop is allowed then a computer is just a bigger laptop.
I just did not want to get stuck there in the airport, arguing with some ignorant extra smart staff. This country is full of "adha/double" people. "adha" means half in hindi and double well you know what it means. My friend coined this term, for people who will use extra brains where they are not supposed to(and none or half where they are supposed to).
I am just scared that if they see that it is a huge computer cabinet inside they may start "double" thinking.

I have had many experiences with such kind of staff getting too smart with their "opinions" especially in the case of security.

I may be overreacting, but with the terror scare and the increased security I do not want to get stuck.
If anyone had any experience please share it.

Just wanted to share a recent experience of a friend. Who was withdrawing money from a Ingvyasa atm with a SBI atm card. For some reason(i believe earlier customers had some problem) the watchman was inside the atm.
So he just told my friend that there seems to be a problem as earlier customers were not able to withdraw cash. My friend insisted that he will try his luck. So the watchman waited. My friend withdraw the money. For some reason the card came out first and then the money. When my friend took his card the watchman saw it was an SBI(another bank) card, and when the money came out, before my friend could take it, the watchman hit the cancel button.
Why asked, he said "how come you are using a different bank ATM here it is not allowed". Well long story cut short my friend is still trying to recover his money. SBI say they have nothing to do with it, wheras Vysaya Banks says that there is nothing they can do(I know they can do many things to track the money, but lets not discuss that :-), lets stick to the topic).
My intention was that I do not want some ignorant counter staff telling me a computer is not allowed in the same way as the above story. Sorry for that long story but now you will understand why I am borderline paranoid.
So any experiences.
Anywhere I can confirm, this. My flight is at the end of this month, I thought in the meanwhile can i get it in writing from some official that a computer(without monitor) is allowed on a flight.
Or can I cite some website or law?
Also if I will be able to take it with me so that I can put it in the luggage rack above me.
In that case:
Will it fit as my bag will be 5 inches bigger that the cabinet.
Also if they do not allow such a big luggage as a "hand bag". Then atleast I can pack it well to avoid any damage.(also I can thing of removing the harddisk and packing then separately and stuffing it in the middle of my Backpack.

Thanks a lot and sorry for the long post
Edit:
It air India domestic flight from Mangalore to Mumbai

Haylo · May 9th, 2009, 05:34

Even though your carry on baggage would comply with the regulations, and even if you have a letter confirming this, nobody can guarantee that you'll be allowed to carry it on board.

I have been made to check in a bag that was smaller and lighter than the allowed limits, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Good luck!

qwan · May 9th, 2009, 12:58

Thank Haylo.
I got my hands on the allowed list on airindia.
A laptop computer is listed there and can be carried or checkin.
I think I should prepare my bag to be checked in.
SO I will pack it properly just in case they decide to check it in.
What I wanted to know is what dimension bag would fit in the luggage rack above you in an AIR India flight..

navinkurian2002 · May 9th, 2009, 13:00

let us know if they allow you to take in the server cabinet into the cabin.

obione980 · May 9th, 2009, 18:45

Laptops are fine - and - frankly, in most Asian countries it is possible to carry on huge packages. I've travelled with 30kg brass crocodiles firmly esconced (more or less) in the locker above my head. I've travelled in Myanmar with an outdoor dining setting loaded into the corridor of the aircraft (minister's personal luggage).

Might depend on where you're going.

edwardseco · May 10th, 2009, 00:42

Could check the server and hand carry the hard drive..

May 9th, 2009, 01:34	#1
qwan Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mangalore Posts: 76	Can I take a computer with me on an Air India flight, any limitations warnings I want to take my computer which is housed in an Asus server cabinet(no monitor). Its dimensions Width 9inches(23cms), height and length 18 inches(46cms) It must weight around 7 kgs. Will i have any problem carrying it with me. I plan to put it in a dedicated trolley kind of a rectangular shaped travel bag. Will I be able to take that with be to my seat. The only other bag which I will be carrying will be a big backpack, which obviously will go in the luggage. Are there any restrictions on such electronic items. I mean I know if a laptop is allowed then a computer is just a bigger laptop. I just did not want to get stuck there in the airport, arguing with some ignorant extra smart staff. This country is full of "adha/double" people. "adha" means half in hindi and double well you know what it means. My friend coined this term, for people who will use extra brains where they are not supposed to(and none or half where they are supposed to). I am just scared that if they see that it is a huge computer cabinet inside they may start "double" thinking. I have had many experiences with such kind of staff getting too smart with their "opinions" especially in the case of security. I may be overreacting, but with the terror scare and the increased security I do not want to get stuck. If anyone had any experience please share it. Just wanted to share a recent experience of a friend. Who was withdrawing money from a Ingvyasa atm with a SBI atm card. For some reason(i believe earlier customers had some problem) the watchman was inside the atm. So he just told my friend that there seems to be a problem as earlier customers were not able to withdraw cash. My friend insisted that he will try his luck. So the watchman waited. My friend withdraw the money. For some reason the card came out first and then the money. When my friend took his card the watchman saw it was an SBI(another bank) card, and when the money came out, before my friend could take it, the watchman hit the cancel button. Why asked, he said "how come you are using a different bank ATM here it is not allowed". Well long story cut short my friend is still trying to recover his money. SBI say they have nothing to do with it, wheras Vysaya Banks says that there is nothing they can do(I know they can do many things to track the money, but lets not discuss that :-), lets stick to the topic). My intention was that I do not want some ignorant counter staff telling me a computer is not allowed in the same way as the above story. Sorry for that long story but now you will understand why I am borderline paranoid. So any experiences. Anywhere I can confirm, this. My flight is at the end of this month, I thought in the meanwhile can i get it in writing from some official that a computer(without monitor) is allowed on a flight. Or can I cite some website or law? Also if I will be able to take it with me so that I can put it in the luggage rack above me. In that case: Will it fit as my bag will be 5 inches bigger that the cabinet. Also if they do not allow such a big luggage as a "hand bag". Then atleast I can pack it well to avoid any damage.(also I can thing of removing the harddisk and packing then separately and stuffing it in the middle of my Backpack. Thanks a lot and sorry for the long post Edit: It air India domestic flight from Mangalore to Mumbai Last edited by qwan : May 9th, 2009 at 01:36. Reason: add some info

May 9th, 2009, 05:34	#2
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	Even though your carry on baggage would comply with the regulations, and even if you have a letter confirming this, nobody can guarantee that you'll be allowed to carry it on board. I have been made to check in a bag that was smaller and lighter than the allowed limits, and there was nothing I could do about it. Good luck! __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

May 9th, 2009, 13:00	#4
navinkurian2002 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai,India Posts: 863	let us know if they allow you to take in the server cabinet into the cabin. __________________ It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare dream of meeting your heart's longing.

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May 9th, 2009, 12:58	#3
qwan Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mangalore Posts: 76	Thank Haylo. I got my hands on the allowed list on airindia. A laptop computer is listed there and can be carried or checkin. I think I should prepare my bag to be checked in. SO I will pack it properly just in case they decide to check it in. What I wanted to know is what dimension bag would fit in the luggage rack above you in an AIR India flight..

May 9th, 2009, 18:45	#5
obione980 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brisbane Posts: 379	Laptops are fine - and - frankly, in most Asian countries it is possible to carry on huge packages. I've travelled with 30kg brass crocodiles firmly esconced (more or less) in the locker above my head. I've travelled in Myanmar with an outdoor dining setting loaded into the corridor of the aircraft (minister's personal luggage). Might depend on where you're going.

May 10th, 2009, 00:42	#6
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,833	Could check the server and hand carry the hard drive..