External drives (or internal ones - same drive, different case) will have zero problems with commercial air travel. X-rays don't affect them, and any in-flight vibrations capable of damaging a disk drive will also destroy the airplane.
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1 Answer. Should not be a problem. The security is trained to know these things and they won't offload your luggage because of this reason. I have personally carried hard disks in luggage several times.
Single Internal, External, and SSD DevicesPlace the drive in a bubble wrap envelope or a box lined with bubble wrap. Do not use packing pellets, peanuts, air bags, or newspaper. Place the packing slip inside the package, and seal the box with nylon or vinyl tape along all edges and openings.
It is advisable to keep them in carry on luggage as checked in luggage are at innate risk of getting misplaced. Be careful of the content inside them if you are traveling to Saudi Arabia. There have been instances with my friends when custom officers scan Hard Disks, CDs and USBs.
Damaged or recalled batteries and battery-powered devices, which are likely to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat must not be carried aboard an aircraft (e.g. carry-on or checked baggage) unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed, or otherwise made safe.
You will be asked to declare to a U.S. Customs Inspector what you have brought into the U.S. You may have to open your luggage to Customs Officers before it goes through the scanning machines. Customs Officers will also ask from you verbally what you have in your luggage.
Checked Bags: YesPlease remove the computer from your carry-on bag and place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
Removing laptops allows security staff to ensure that passengers are following airport rules and no dangerous items will be smuggled onto the plane. Michael continued: If I notice a laptop in a bag I'll either ask the owner to remove it or take the bag around again and turn it over to see from the other side.
Airport scanners have come a long wayThe machine your bags and devices pass through is an X-ray machine. The main reason you have to remove your laptop from your bag is because its battery and other mechanical components are too dense for X-rays to penetrate effectively – especially if the scanning system is old.