Sachin Walls
Whether or not you can keep your Surface Pro in your bag when passing through airport security seems to depend on the airport, the individual screening officer, and whether or not the keyboard is attached. Some travellers have reported that their Surface Pro was considered a laptop by security and needed to be removed from their bag, while others have reported that it was considered a tablet and could remain in their bag. Some sources suggest that the keyboard mechanism makes it look like a laptop on the X-ray, so it is more likely to be checked if left in the bag. However, others suggest that the Surface Pro's small size and lack of easily replaceable parts mean that it is not considered a security risk and does not need to be removed. Ultimately, it is up to the discretion of the individual screening officer whether or not you need to remove your Surface Pro from your bag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do you need to take it out of your bag? | Responses vary. Some sources say they were told by TSA that they didn't need to take their Surface Pro out of their bag. Others say they were asked to take it out. Some say they were told to take it out of their bag but leave it in its sleeve. |
| Do you need to take it out of its sleeve? | No, this is not required. |
| Does it need to be treated like a laptop? | Some sources say their Surface Pro was considered a laptop by TSA, while others say it was considered a tablet. |
| Does it need to be treated like an iPad? | One source says they were asked to take their iPad out of their carry-on, even though they knew this wasn't the official policy. |
| Does it need to be removed from the bag at the security checkpoint? | One source says their Surface Pro was removed from their bag by TSA at the security checkpoint. |
| Does it need to be removed from the bag during takeoff and landing? | One source says they were allowed to use their Surface Pro during takeoff and landing without removing it from their bag. |
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What You'll Learn
Do I need to remove my Surface Pro from its sleeve?
Whether or not you need to remove your Surface Pro from its sleeve when going through airport security seems to depend on various factors. Firstly, the device's keyboard mechanism can make it look like a laptop on the X-ray, so some travellers choose to remove it from its sleeve to avoid confusion. However, others report that they have never had to take their Surface Pro out of its sleeve and that doing so could risk theft or damage. Some travellers have also reported being told to remove their device from its sleeve, only to then be told that this was unnecessary.
To avoid confusion, some travellers recommend treating the Surface Pro like any other laptop and placing it in its own tub for scanning. Others suggest that signing up for pre-check or global entry can help to streamline the process and avoid the need to remove the device from its bag or sleeve. Ultimately, it appears that the decision on whether or not to remove the Surface Pro from its sleeve may depend on the specific airport, the individual screener, and whether or not the keyboard is attached.
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Do I need to remove my Surface Pro from my bag?
Whether or not you need to remove your Surface Pro from your bag during airport security checks depends on various factors. Some sources claim that the Surface Pro is considered a tablet, and therefore does not need to be removed from your bag or sleeve. However, others have stated that they were asked to remove their device and have it scanned separately, just like a laptop.
The rule to take laptops and similarly-sized devices out of a bag exists because larger devices can obscure the view of other objects in the bag and make it difficult to distinguish the shapes and densities of the components typically found in consumer electronics. The keyboard mechanism on the Surface Pro may make it look like a laptop in the X-ray scan, which could prompt security staff to ask you to remove it for separate scanning.
Ultimately, it seems that different airports and security staff have different interpretations of the rules. Some sources suggest that you should treat the Surface Pro like any other laptop and remove it from your bag for scanning, to avoid any potential issues or delays. Others suggest leaving it in your bag, as they claim it is not considered a laptop and does not need to be removed.
To ensure a smooth security screening process, it may be advisable to check the guidelines of the specific airport you are travelling from, or to contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for clarification. Additionally, consider investing in a TSA-friendly bag with a separate laptop compartment that can be easily accessed and scanned.
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Do I need to remove the keyboard from my Surface Pro?
Whether you need to remove the keyboard from your Surface Pro depends on the situation.
At Airport Security
Some sources suggest that you should treat your Surface Pro like any other laptop at airport security and remove it from your bag for scanning. This is because larger devices can obscure the view of other objects in the bag and make it difficult to distinguish the shapes and densities of the components typically found in consumer electronics. However, other sources claim that you do not need to remove your Surface Pro from your bag, as it is considered a tablet, and they have experienced no issues with leaving it in their bag. One source suggests that the keyboard mechanism makes the device look like a laptop on the X-ray, so it may be checked if you leave it attached. Another source suggests that you can detach the keyboard, send it through the scanner separately, and leave the tablet in your bag, but they are unsure how airport security staff would react to this.
For Writing with a Stylus
Some users find that the keyboard gets in the way when writing with a stylus, so they detach it.
For Using the Surface Pro as a Tablet
Some users prefer to remove the keyboard when using the Surface Pro as a tablet because it is easier to hold. However, other users suggest that it is unnecessary to remove the keyboard because it automatically disables when folded back, meaning that the keys will not work and there is no risk of pressing buttons accidentally. One user notes that they sometimes flip the keyboard around when folded back, so that the magnet holds it in place and they do not feel the keys.
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Do I need to turn my Surface Pro off?
It is not necessary to turn off your Surface Pro, as it can be left in sleep mode without any issues. However, some users have reported a sleep issue where the device wakes up in their bag and drains the battery. To avoid this, some users choose to turn off their device completely before placing it in their bag. Ultimately, it is up to the user's preference and whether they will need to use the device during their travel or not.
When going through airport security, there are varying reports on whether a Surface Pro needs to be removed from its bag or sleeve. Some users report that they have never had any issues leaving their device in their bag, while others have been told to remove it and have it scanned separately, similar to a laptop. The decision on whether to remove the device from its bag during security screening appears to depend on the individual airport and the personnel conducting the screening.
To turn off a Surface Pro, press and hold the power button until the device shuts down and restarts, displaying the Windows logo screen (this should take about 20 seconds). If your device is not responding, you can force a shutdown by simultaneously pressing and holding the volume-up button and the power button for about 15 seconds until the screen turns off, then releasing both buttons.
It is worth noting that some users have reported that turning off their Surface Pro does not result in a full boot but instead closes running programs while hibernating the operating system, services, and drivers. Therefore, if you need to completely shut down your device, you may need to use a command-line executable.
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Can I use my Surface Pro during takeoff and landing?
Whether or not you can use your Surface Pro during takeoff and landing depends on a few factors, including the airline you're flying with, the device model, and the preferences of the person inspecting your bag.
Some sources suggest that the Surface Pro is considered a "tablet" by the TSA, which means you may not need to turn it off during takeoff and landing, unlike a laptop. However, there have been instances where individuals have been asked to shut down their Surface Pro devices during these times. It's worth noting that some airlines, like Delta, seem to allow the use of phones and tablets in airplane mode during takeoff and landing, while others, like United, may have different rules.
To increase the chances of using your device during these times, you can try placing it in your bag separately from its keyboard, as the keyboard may draw extra attention from TSA agents. Additionally, using a sleeve for your device may be allowed, although some airports will require you to power up the Surface Pro during security screening.
It's always a good idea to check with the specific airline and airport you're travelling through for their latest guidelines and regulations regarding the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airport and the person doing the screening. Some people report being told that they don't need to take their Surface Pro out of their bag, while others are told to treat it like a laptop and put it in its own tub for scanning.
Yes, as long as it's on airplane mode.
No, you don't need to take your Surface Pro out of its sleeve.
