Is it safe to pack a laptop in a suitcase?

[butterfly]

I'm afraid I booked a flight with Thomson before I read the small print about their baggage allowance.  Be warned everybody this information is well hidden and, in fact, when I booked I thought I would be allowed to take two suitcases for only an extra £18.  You can but do this but your baggage allowance doesn't increase from 20 kilos.  Since most suitcases weigh between 4-6 kilos this really isn't much help and they won't allow any individual suitcase to weigh more than 23 kilos.  Its costs £17.50 for the extra 3 kilos.  In additional, they only allow 5 kilos of handbaggage in a single bag and that includes laptops.   

I don't think I am going to be able to keep under the 5 kilo limit if I carry my laptop. If I packed the laptop in my hard suitcase padded all around with clothes, do you think it would survive?

I do hope there is somebody who can advise me.  I fly tomorrow.

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=4518.0

[Brooksie]

It will be fine inside a laptop case in your suitcase, just make sure your insurance covers you.

[MartynE]

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Have you seen the way they throw those cases around? Plus the suitcases spend four hours in an unpressurised, freezing-cold hold in the aircraft. 

We decided to leave my laptop at home last visit, for exactly the same reason!

[streety]

I personally wouldn't pack a laptop in my suitcase as it is very likely your case will be thrown around by baggage personnel.  Also, if it is damaged you will have to claim through your travel insurance - does that cover a broken laptop that has not been secured properly?
Thomson are really strict on hold baggage allowance. We were once pulled up over 1.5 kilos over.  Just to be as difficult as them, we stood and unpacked the case selecting which addtional items of clothing we would like to wear rather than put in the case, with a huge queue behind us - the check-in lady was not best pleased - shame!
I have never had my hand baggage checked, maybe someone else has? I would go with putting the laptop with hand baggage and putting as little as poss in with it.  Once through customs you can purchase any small extras you need both in the airport or when you get to Kalkan

[jofoss]

Personally I wouldn't. One of our cases didn't arrive in Kalkan on our September trip.  :'( Took 4 days to get it back!! The panic and hassle was horrendous. And, on checking our insurance, we were covered for a max of £2k for lost luggage, yet only £200 per individual item and this was a premium policy. So do check, as you may not be covered. 

[itstime]

I'd also take it on as hand luggage. Anything you want as hand luggage could be put in your case presumably? Laptops can be a bit fragile and if you look at how suitcases are thrown around by baggage handlers then definitely not worth the risk

[butterfly]

Thank you very much everybody for your prompt advice.

Tog Meister,(sorry I should have said Brooksie) although I'd love to take yours, I've gone with the majority opinion. 

By the way, Streetie, that was a fantastic ruse and if I get pulled up over an extra half kilo or so, I'm going to do the same as you and put the clothes on.

[Pauline]

When buying a suitcase I ALWAYS check the weight - there can be such a difference.   I also have to admit that  - when I have a lot of things to bring out- i have used one of those laundry bags which weigh nothing!!   I know they don't look too elegant but I get over that when I think of the extra weight I can carry.