Comment Re:How insightful (Score 1) 940
I've traveled out of the U.S. and back in five or six times so far this year--I have traveled outside the U.S. dozens of times over the past fifteen years.
Every single time I was carrying a notebook or portable PC. I have never, ever been stopped, searched, or seen anyone else get hassled.
That said, though:
One thing I have observed at border control in several countries (most notably Japan) is that if the authorities feel you are being disrepectful, they will become far more inquisitive. And if you get "uppity"--particularly if you start shooting off your mouth about your constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms (while entering another country) you are just begging to get hassled.
My sense of the horror stories about notebook seizures, etc., is that somebody made an ass of himself, and the feds decided to make his life miserable. That's not to excuse what they're doing--but a suggestion that if you make even the slightest effort to act and dress presentably, you're not likely to have a problem.