In this day in age, it seems that everyone has at least once piece of electronic equipment with them every waking hour. Maybe an MP3 player, mobile phone, blackberry, laptop or camera. If you are one of the individuals that regularly travel around with one or more of these electronic items, there is a good chance that you will be taking them with you when you catch a flight. If so, there is a chance that you may have questions as to with whether or not they are a violation of air travel rules.

In face, the majority of electrical equipment is allowed on national and international flights.  However, it is always a good idea that you check with your airline or airport, in advance.  Since most electronic items are expensive, you not want to get to the airport only to learn that you are prohibited from bringing all of your belongings with you, especially something as expensive as most electronic equipment. 

As discussed earlier, many travelers have a mobile or pager with them at all times.  All mobile phones and pagers are permitted aboard airplanes. In addition to being permitted onboard, they are allowed to be stored in your carryon baggage. Your mobile phone or pager, like most other electrical equipment, will be suspect to inspection if required by security staff.

Laptops and personal data assistants, commonly known as PDA’s, are also allowed aboard the plane.  You are also allowed to store them in your carryon baggage if you choose to.  If stored in your carryon luggage, your laptop or personal data assistant machine will need to be checked by customs along with the rest of your carryon luggage. This screening process is safe and should not hurt your equipment.

As previously mentioned, many of the above mentioned electronics can either be stored in your carryon luggage or your checked baggage.  If you are able to store the items in your carryon luggage, you are advised to do so. It is no secret that checked baggage gets tossed around in a number of various fashions.  With expensive electronic equipment, your equipment is unlikely to endure damage if you are the one in charge of caring for it.  In addition to avoiding damage, most airlines are restricting the use of baggage locks.  This means that it may be unwise for you to store expensive equipment in your checked baggage, especially if you cannot lock it.  Honestly, you never know who may have access to it.

While the screening process is safe for most electronic equipment, it isn’t for all.  There is a chance that your film, especially film that hasn\'t been developed, could be damaged by the x-ray machinery.  In the event that you have a digital or film camera in your carryon baggage, you will need to let airport security staff know.  They have alternative ways of checking your camera or film equipment. Other recording devices, such as digital cameras or camcorders, are also permitted aboard an airplane, even in your carryon luggage.

By keeping the above mentioned information in mind, you should be able to pack correctly for your next trip, whether or not that trip is a business trip. Although most airlines do not have restrictions on the electronic equipment that you bring onboard, you will find that the use of these items is often restricted.  A large number of airlines will only let you power up your camcorder, cell phone, pager, PDA, or laptop during specified times.

Most importantly, remember to obey the captains’ directions in regards to electrical equipment while taking off - so you\'re not the one responsible for flight interruptions and delaying takeoff.