All right—you’ve got a flight in 45 minutes, a client call in six hours, and TSA just pulled your bag because your power bank was in the “wrong” pocket. Welcome to airport security: the ultimate team-building exercise you never signed up for.
If you travel for business, remote work, or just don’t go anywhere without a laptop and five charging cables, you already know that technology makes airport security… interesting. Can you bring two laptops? What about a drone? Why can’t your power bank go in your checked bag? And is that portable projector going to freak out the scanner?
Good news: none of this has to be a mystery. Once you understand TSA’s rules for electronics and batteries, you’ll sail through security without the sweaty panic of pulling half your gear onto the belt while 50 people sigh behind you. Let’s break it down.
The Laptop Shuffle
TSA’s golden rule: if it’s bigger than a cell phone, it comes out of the bag.
That means laptops, tablets, portable monitors, and big e-readers. Each one gets its own bin. Yes, even if you’re traveling with multiple laptops—every single one needs its own tray.
Pro tips:
If it’s paperback-sized or smaller, it usually stays in.
Use a TSA-compliant laptop backpack that unzips flat. No one likes digging an iPad out from under socks.
Those big new jet-engine-looking scanners? Sometimes they let you leave devices in your bag—but don’t count on it.
Battery Basics
Lithium-ion batteries are TSA’s second favorite thing to flag (right after oversized shampoo). Here’s the deal:
Under 100 watt-hours? Totally fine, but carry-on only.
Common items: power banks, spare laptop batteries, drone batteries, camera batteries, external drives with built-in power.
Over 100 watt-hours? You need airline approval, which you probably don’t have.
Pro tips:
Label your batteries. If TSA can’t see the watt-hour rating, they may confiscate it.
Carry multiple drone/camera batteries in a fire-safe bag. TSA likes it, and it keeps you safer.
Charge your power bank before the flight. TSA doesn’t care about battery level, but your sanity will at hour 6 of a 10-hour flight.
Never put lithium batteries in checked luggage. If you forget, TSA may pull them—and your bag might not make it with you.
Gadgets, Gizmos & Presentation Gear
Business travelers carry more than laptops. Here’s what flies:
✅ Wireless clickers, projectors, foldable keyboards.
✅ USB drives, external hard drives, SD cards.
✅ Headphones, earbuds, mics, portable speakers.
✅ Drones (in carry-on) — but batteries must stay with you.
✅ Tripods, gimbals, and stabilizers — smaller ones are usually fine; bulky ones may need to be checked.
⚠️ What gets flagged:
Tech repair kits, mini-tools, screwdrivers. Blades = checked bag only.
Big desktop-style hard drives. TSA will swab them every time.
Anything that looks like spy gear. Label it, or keep it in original packaging if possible.
Rule of thumb: if it looks weird, separate it and be ready to explain.
What Goes in Checked Bags
Not much, honestly.
✅ Clothes, toiletries, office supplies, paper files.
❌ Laptops (they have batteries).
❌ Power banks and spares.
❌ Anything you’d panic losing.
Checked bags are for suits and shoes—not sensitive client data or thousand-dollar cameras.
TSA Pro Moves
If you want to fly like a pro, remember:
Global Entry > TSA PreCheck. Global Entry gives you both. Shoes stay on, laptops stay in, lines move faster.
Build a tech pouch. Keep cords, chargers, drives, and SD cards together. TSA loves organization. So will you when you’re repacking at the belt.
Don’t overthink it. TSA isn’t out to ruin your life—they’re just trying to keep planes safe. Make their job easy, and your trip will be easier, too.
The Bottom Line
Traveling with tech doesn’t have to feel like auditioning for a reality show called Airport Panic. Know the rules, pack smart, and you’ll get through security with your gadgets, your dignity, and your caffeine window intact.