Airport Security Information for Optima Centoris KN Series Notebooks
Please keep this information sheet with your notebook if you intend to travel via air. The
Optima KN Series of notebooks including the KN-1, KN-P and KN-R has caused a number of
Optima customers to be delayed by Airport Security due to the appearance of the internal
components when passed through an X-ray machine. To reduce the inconvenience to our
customers, Optima has prepared this information sheet which you can present to Airport
Security personnel so that they can effectively screen your notebook without causing you to
be excessively delayed.
The heatpipe (cooling device) inside the notebook may appear to be shaped like a handgun
with a trigger guard when the notebook is placed flat on an X-ray machine. The images
below show the internal components, image #4 clearly displaying that the heatpipe is very
flat and can’t possibly be a handgun.
Image #1:Internal components Image #2: Heatsink inside the Notebook
Image #3: Close up of Heatsink Image #4: Profile of Heatsink
Qantas Airport Security in Sydney has been cooperating with Optima to develop a more
precise method of screening notebooks by placing them in a bracket that stands the
notebook on its end. This process will show the heatsink in profile without the need to open
the notebook and view the internal components. Domestic Airport Security in Australia should
be aware of this but you may encounter some that have not yet been informed.
If you are questioned about your notebook, it may help to suggest that Airport Security test
the notebook in one of the following two ways: -
1. Run the notebook through the X-ray on its end or on an angle so that the width of
the heat pipe is clearly visible. This shows that the heat pipe is not round and is
definitely not a small handgun.
2. Test for explosive residue, this should assure them that you are not concealing a
firearm in your notebook. This test is normally randomly conducted.
11/09/2007 Airport Security Information
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