Back to Basics: 10 Tips for Laptop Use on the Plane

Using your laptop while flying requires a little common sense, practical considerations, and some basic etiquette.  The competing interests are protecting your privacy, keeping your “stuff” contained within your personal space and not spilling out into other’s space, and making sure that you keep your laptop protected from damage.

Here are a few tips, most of which I’ve mentioned before, to keep in mind when whipping out your laptop onboard:

1. As you are boarding the plane, keep your laptop in its bag.  Don’t try to be working on something as your are locating your seat and getting settled it.  I have seen a passenger holding up the boarding process as he tried to turn on his laptop.
2. Watch your laptop bag as you proceed down the aisle.  Turning from side to side without giving thought to your surrounding may result in your bag hitting passengers that you are walking by.
3. Turn off your laptop when asked to do so.  That means power off, not just put into sleep mode.  I know that you think it doesn’t matter, and it may not, but the Flight Attendants are required to make sure that you comply before shutting the main cabin door.  Do them, yourself, and everyone else a favor — turn it off.
4. Your laptop is considered carry on baggage.  This means that it needs to be stowed for take off and landing.  So put it in the overhead or beneath the seat in front of you when requested to do so.
5. Don’t stuff you laptop into the seat pocket.  It’s too large and heavy to be restrained there, and it just rips up the seat pocket.
6. Protect personal and confidential information on your screen.  Whether your seat mates are intentionally peering at your work, or are just casually looking around and have to glance at your screen, keep your private stuff private.  The easiest option, in my opinion, is to use one of the many privacy screen guards that are on the market.  A friend also suggested doing your typing in a very small font so that it’s not as easily seen.  The only downside to this, however, is that you may not be able to see it yourself!
7. Keep your laptop out of the aisle.  I know that there isn’t much room at your seat, but letting it creep out into the aisle is a recipe for disaster.  It’s likely to get hit my someone walking by, or get thwacked by the beverage cart.
8. Close the top when the Flight Attendant is serving your row.  I continue to be amazed at how often I have to tell people to watch the keyboard as I hand something across.  We try very hard not to spill, but accidents and turbulence happen.
9. Use earplugs.  If you are watching a movie, playing a game with sound, or listening to music, most airlines require that you use earplugs.  It’s annoying to everyone around you, and we don’t need any more noise pollution in such a contained environment.
10. Leave the porn for another time.  Adult rated content is not acceptable for viewing in a public location, and that means its off limits for the airplane.  N one likes to be a tattler, but someone will mention it to the Flight Attendants, and you will be asked to turn it off.  Failure to comply may result in the police chatting with you about it upon arrival at your destination.

Sound like a lot of rules?  I travel with my laptop regularly, and have never found them that difficult to comply with.  Next time, give it a try!

Photo credit: morgueFile

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