Carry On PS3? [Airport Security]

KrubicksCube

I live in the UK (mostly) full time as a student but I'm going home back to Colorado for about 2 1/2 months over the summer. In that time, it'd be good to relax with some games since I most likely will not be finding a job. I know back in the day they used to have no problem with PS2s and DVD Players being on a carry on luggage but I've got a 60 GB PS3 that is big and intimidating looking to the ridiculous security at Heathrow and was wondering if anyone knew what the policy was? Or, does anyone have any experience in this area?

Worse comes to worse I can always live without it for a few months, but if it wouldn't a problem I figured I may as well!

Thanks!

Drez

KrubicksCube wrote: »

I live in the UK (mostly) full time as a student but I'm going home back to Colorado for about 2 1/2 months over the summer. In that time, it'd be good to relax with some games since I most likely will not be finding a job. I know back in the day they used to have no problem with PS2s and DVD Players being on a carry on luggage but I've got a 60 GB PS3 that is big and intimidating looking to the ridiculous security at Heathrow and was wondering if anyone knew what the policy was? Or, does anyone have any experience in this area?

Worse comes to worse I can always live without it for a few months, but if it wouldn't a problem I figured I may as well!

Thanks!

I can't answer your specific question, but I can share this story with you...

In 2006, I was pulled aside by security for my regular luggage.

Them: "Sir, do you have any computers in your luggage?"
Me: (thinking - I had my laptop and other gadgetry in my carry-on) "Nope."
Them: "Hmm, well we're detecting a computer in your luggage. Can you please open it."
Me: (starting to panic because I definitely didn't pack "a computer" in my main luggage and also because airport security was investigating my luggage) "Uh...sure."

I don't remember the specifics after that but, long story short, I forgot I had wrapped my Slim PS2 in my clothes. I felt like an idiot. I didn't make the connection between "computer" and "PS2."

Now, that was my main luggage and not my carry-on, so I dunno. Best thing to do would probably be to call the airline maybe? Maybe they can tell you? Also maybe you could have a friend or family member there that can take it from you if they won't let you on the plane with it? I dunno.

JHunz

If you take it you for sure want to take it as a carry-on item rather than checking it in your luggage. That's a good policy for any expensive and complicated electronics, since the mouth-breathers who inspect your luggage will occasionally dismantle them for your safety.

Drez

JHunz wrote: »

If you take it you for sure want to take it as a carry-on item rather than checking it in your luggage. That's a good policy for any expensive and complicated electronics, since the mouth-breathers who inspect your luggage will occasionally dismantle them for your safety.

Ouch.

Willeth

Contact Heathrow. Honestly it shouldn't be a problem - if it goes through the scanner it's going to be a bunch of circuit boards just like any DVD player or laptop, and if I'm not mistaken they allow PCs as carry on anyway.

KrubicksCube

JHunz wrote: »

If you take it you for sure want to take it as a carry-on item rather than checking it in your luggage. That's a good policy for any expensive and complicated electronics, since the mouth-breathers who inspect your luggage will occasionally dismantle them for your safety.

Good thing that didn't happen the first time I brought my PS3 over @_@

Druhim

Keep in mind that you need to know both how they'll handle it as you fly out of the UK, as well as when you leave the US. So you need to know how both UK and US customs/security will view it.

Wezoin

Also, will it even work? I'm just thinking of the PAL/NTSC thing.

Drez

Wezoin wrote: »

Also, will it even work? I'm just thinking of the PAL/NTSC thing.

Good point. And a confusing one.

I think that in the US, an overwhelming majority - if not actually 100% - of TVs are NTSC only. In various parts of Europe, you may have a TV that can be switched into either mode.

The PS3 is, as far as I know, region-free. But if you have a PS3 game from the UK, I think you'll need to play it on a TV that supports PAL. You should be able to play NTSC games on TVs in the US, though.

Don't quote me on all this. It is worth looking into first.

TNTrooper

I haven't taken a PS3 through airport security before but i have flown with a SNES and N64 before. The general rule with electronics is that airport security likes it when people are upfront about what they have in their carry-ons and ask for advice on how to get it through the checkpoint rather then leave it in the suitcase and make them go WTF.

When you get to the security checkpoint open up your suitcase and show the PS3 and ask the guards how they want to scan it. Be prepared to take the PS3 and any accessories like the power supply and controllers out of the suitcase to be scanned individually also mention it has a hard drive.

rocketshipready

I've flown with my PS3 in my carry-on with no problem, and in fact will do so again in a week (domestic, but it should be the same). There were even signs at the security line that specifically mentioned treating video game systems like laptops, and just run them through the scanner separately. Shouldn't be a problem.

Hahnsoo1

I'm pretty sure that PAL-only/NTSC-only isn't a problem if you use the HDMI port to output your video. Not sure, though.

Forkes

Take the power supply, as you may be asked to turn it on.

Cokebotle

Drez wrote: »

Wezoin wrote: »

Also, will it even work? I'm just thinking of the PAL/NTSC thing.

Good point. And a confusing one.

I think that in the US, an overwhelming majority - if not actually 100% - of TVs are NTSC only. In various parts of Europe, you may have a TV that can be switched into either mode.

The PS3 is, as far as I know, region-free. But if you have a PS3 game from the UK, I think you'll need to play it on a TV that supports PAL. You should be able to play NTSC games on TVs in the US, though.

Don't quote me on all this. It is worth looking into first.

Something along these lines - my friend here in Japan is from the UK, and bought a PS3 here. Japan is NTSC, and he bought a game on the UK PSN store (PAL), only to find that it doesn't work on his TV here.

And I believe he is using an HDMI cable, but I'll double check.

cj iwakura

I've flown cross-country with a Dreamcast. They'll look at it kind of funny. Tell them it's a game console, they'll shrug and let you through.

strebalicious

I've flown with a bag nicely packed with 3 DSs, a Wii, two cell phones and all related acoutrement. They just made me take it all out to go through the machine.

Leracas

Wezoin wrote: »

Also, will it even work? I'm just thinking of the PAL/NTSC thing.

PAL/NTSC shouldn't be a problem as long as you output over HDMI because those are basically only output standards.

Also, the PS3 is more or less region-free. PS3 games will work, but PS2/1 games are locked and DLC most likely also will only work with games from the same region as the PSN store you bought it from. And don't forget DVDs, BDs etc. since they're definitely region locked.

Arrath

You'll be fine, just pack them in your carry ons such that they are easy to get out.

In the USA they have you pull out laptops/consoles and run them through the scanner on their own tray. Can't recall the practice in Europe. But, in Europe they may (will?) have you power the device on to prove that it works, and has been gutted and filled with explosives. I've had to boot up my laptop in every European airport I've gone through security in. So do bring your power cords.

rfalias

NTSC/PAL are analog broadcast standards and have no bearing on Digital output (HDMI)
Downloaded games may be region locked, but just make another account and make up an address to play them.
Did that for a UK demo here in the US, works fine.

KrubicksCube

Wezoin wrote: »

Also, will it even work? I'm just thinking of the PAL/NTSC thing.

Yes it will. HDMI ftw.

Good point on looking up the US and UK airports. If Computers and DVD players are allowed it SHOULD be fine. You just always have to worry about the odd dickish security person.