No Gadgets On-Board Flights? Here's an Idea...

As you now know, electronic devices, including iPods, laptops, and cell phones have been banned from being carried onboard British flights after the latest terrorist plot unfolded. It's really just a matter of time before all electronics end up joining the rest of the luggage down below, especially with recent reports of exploding notebooks. The fear of terrorists using cell phones to detonate a bomb in mid-flight are quite real, and the safest thing security officials can do is to ask flight passengers to check in all carry-ons items until further notice.

As of this posting, gadgets are still allowed onboard U.S. flights, and even on flights to the U.K., but it's not guaranteed they will travel onboard with you on the way back. CNN's Gerri Willis has also warned the public "not to use your cell phone within 15 feet of any suspicious object, you could unexpectedly detonate something." Oh great, one more thing to worry about.

But let's suppose for a moment, that someday, we're all required to check in our gadgets with the rest of our luggage, what will we do then? I for one am not willing to check in my MacBook Pro so it ends up all mangled like this poor lady's notebook.

So I'm gearing up. I decided to check out some heavy-duty cases, and was pleasantly surprised to see that the prices are not that bad. I was expecting to see astronomical prices in these times of uncertainty when we have to part from our gadgets, but maybe reality hasn't kicked in yet, so I better make a move.

I searched online for crush-proof laptop cases, and it seems Pelican is one of the only companies that makes plenty of rugged, watertight, crush-proof, corrosion-proof, shock-absorbing, heavy-duty laptop cases. You could probably throw these suckers from the top of your second-floor apartment with no harm done (not that I recommend that). That's the kind of design I like. My favorite is their i1010 iPod case (under $30) that lovingly protects your iPod inside a crush-proof cocoon. If you have to pack it, do it right.

I also found this Laptop Armor aluminum case—which looks like those silver cases filled with $100 bills in Hollywood movies—that claims to protect your laptop from a 10-foot drop onto concrete (they have a video). The case is roomy enough to hold power adapters, mobile phones, iPods, or other tech-necessities, and is padded on the inside for extra protection against bumps.

But if these CIA-looking cases cramp your hipster style, check out the MacTruck. This "work-in" enclosure is for Mac users only since it functions as a shell that protects any Powerbook or Macbook. It's claim to toughness is that it is "rugged enough to drive a truck over it." Apart from protecting your precious notebook, it also cools it and provides full access to all ports. Once you pack it, it can be stowed away inside your own backpack or tote bag.

There's no need to get one just yet—unless you're traveling to the U.K.—so keep this in the back of your mind, just in case you ever need one.

If you have any other suggestions, share them with me in the comments below.