The unibody aluminum chassis of Apple’s MacBook family offers sufficient durability, but it’s always a good practice to carry a bag with plenty of padding for that extra layer of cushioning when you go through airport security. Unfortunately, one event that cannot be avoided is when you’re forced to offload laptops onto a bin, which then goes through a belt during the security check.
Sadly, one owner has shown evidence that his MacBook was dented after it fell off that very belt, and the airport staff were the least accommodating about the damage to expensive hardware. Fortunately, there’s a way you can be compensated if you go through the same ordeal, but it’s a painful reminder of the risks passengers must undertake and the potential damage that can result from haste and negligence.
TSA has a process in which owners can file a claim if they are injured, or if their property is lost or damaged
The painful story was narrated by Reddit user ‘ginadoug63,’ who mentions that after the MacBook fell from the security belt, the staff picked it up and handed it to the owner without so much as offering an apology. A visible dent on the portable Mac is a design blemish that the individual will have to bear witness to daily when opening and closing the lid, but what’s strange is how the staff member brushed off the incident as if nothing had happened.
Typically, the belt operator is responsible for how quickly items are removed from the screening area, and since there are cameras all over the airport, it shouldn’t take long for the MacBook owner to take action by gathering the necessary evidence. Fortunately, some helpful Redditors have come to the aid of ginadoug63, with the following reply providing a summary of the steps required to receive compensation from TSA.
“File a damage claim with the TSA, give them the time you went through security and a description of yourself, what happened, and where. TSA has 100% camera coverage and can roll footage back. Their cameras can literally zoom into your watch and tell the time, they will have footage and will compensate if it’s on the X-ray operator for sending too much shit through the belt.”
In a separate reply, another Redditor has mentioned a useful link in which TSA has outlined steps on how to file a claim if the person has been injured or if their belongings are damaged. Another piece of advice that we’ll provide to readers who are frequent flyers is that you can request the screening crew to go through your luggage without putting the laptops in the bin. Maybe if you begin explaining that you’re worried about damage being caused to your hardware, the staff may cooperate.
These incidents are certainly rare, but when they do occur, we can understand the agony people go through. After all, despite Apple making its MacBooks more competitive, they are still expensive, and the damage they sustain is a sight for sore eyes.
News Source: Reddit
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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