Woman Shares Horror Story of Laptop Getting Bent Inside MRT Scanner: Tips to Prevent Damage

In today's fast-paced world, many of us rely on our laptops for work and personal use. As commuters, we often bring our laptops with us, especially when we need to get some work done while on the go. However, incidents like what happened to Twitter user @allanamarieco can happen, where her laptop got bent and cracked inside the scanner at an MRT station.

Last Wednesday, March 15, 2023, I had my worst commuter experience at MRT 3 Taft Station. pic.twitter.com/OPQvRLKuNl

— ALLANA (@allanamarieco) March 19, 2023

This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of proper laptop handling and the need for commuters to take extra care when using public transportation. In this article, we'll discuss tips to prevent damage to your laptop while going through scanners at MRT stations.

Tip #1: Place your laptop flat inside the scanner

As mentioned by Allana, anyone with a laptop should know to lay it flat on its back to avoid damage because of how small the scanner is. Placing your laptop in an upright position can cause it to spring up and get jammed inside the scanner, which can result in damage.

Tip #2: Keep a safe distance from other passengers

When queueing up at the terminal, make sure to keep a safe distance from other passengers. This prevents your laptop bag from getting shoved and pushed by other people's bags. You can also politely ask the person behind you to give you some space when placing your bag inside the scanner.

Tip #3: Call for assistance from the guards

In case your laptop bag gets stuck inside the scanner or if you need assistance, call for help from the guards. They are there to assist passengers and ensure their safety. If they do not respond, ask other commuters or station personnel for help.

Tip #4: Inspect your laptop after going through the scanner

Once your laptop bag comes out of the scanner, inspect it immediately to see if there are any damages. If you notice any issues, inform the guards right away so they can assist you in filing a report.

In conclusion, incidents like what happened to Allana can be prevented by taking extra care when using public transportation. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of damage to your laptop while going through scanners at MRT stations.

As of now, there has been no statement from the management of MRT-3 regarding the incident.

UPDATE (MARCH 21, 2023 - 7:00PM): The Management of MRT-3 has just released a statement

MRT-3 Press Statement

22 March 2023

On March 20, 2023, the MRT-3 Management received a complaint in behalf of Ms. Allana Columbres, a passenger whose laptop unfortunately got damaged while lining up at one of MRT-3’s x-ray scanners.

Upon MRT-3's investigation, Ms. Columbres and a companion were found to have entered MRT-3 Taft premises on March 15, 2023 at around 8:05 p.m. The CCTV positioned at the x-ray scanner counter captured Ms. Columbres proceeding to place her backpack on the conveyor belt of the x-ray scanner. The security guards on duty, however, were not informed that the backpack contained a laptop. Hence, the electronic gadget was not put on a separate tray before it was placed on the conveyor belt.

MRT-3’s policy for electronic gadgets such as laptops, tablets, and iPads, is to have the passenger put them in a separate tray before the tray is placed on the conveyor belt for scanning. This is for the x-ray operators to be able to view the electronic gadgets more clearly as they pass through the x-ray scanner.

According to Ms. Columbres, another passenger went to place his own bag on the conveyor belt, causing her bag to be re-aligned vertically, instead of its original horizontal or flat lay position. Contrary to what Ms. Columbres has said, however, CCTV recording captured that her bag was already in an upright position when she placed it on the conveyor belt. There was also an adequate space between her bag and that of the passenger who was next in line to her. Moreover, MRT-3’s x-ray machine operator immediately stopped the x-ray scanner when the jam registered on the monitor, to prevent further pile-up. It was then that Ms. Columbres was able to retrieve her bag.

It is also worth noting that a tarpaulin signage bearing MRT-3's policy on electronic gadgets is positioned beside the x-ray scanner on both the Northbound and Southbound entries of MRT-3 stations. The signage also reminds passengers that MRT-3 will not be liable for any baggage losses or damages incurred while the x-ray scanner is in operation and also while the passenger is inside MRT-3 premises.

The MRT-3 has already reached out to Ms. Columbres to apologize for the unfortunate incident and the manner by which the on-duty personnel failed to act with more compassion towards her. It is MRT-3’s policy for the employees to extend utmost courtesy and tolerance to all passengers at all times. Hence, the MRT-3 assures the public that necessary steps will be taken to bring about improvements in MRT-3 employees’ handling of passenger complaints. Already, MRT-3’s security provider has been instructed to launch a series of customer service training for all security personnel of the rail line.

The MRT-3 puts premium on the well-being, safety, and security of its passengers. All security personnel have been instructed to consistently remind the passengers of the safety and security protocols inside the stations, which includes the protocol on how they should always place their electronic gadgets on a separate tray for x-ray scanning. At the same time, the MRT-3 appeals to the public to always be mindful of their luggage while inside all MRT-3 premises to prevent any loss or damage.