If I am transporting the machine then the foot and needle are down with fabric inbetween. Usually tho, not only do I leave the foot up, but I take the foot off too. The reason I do this is because when the machine is turned on the needle defaults to the left side. Usually I have my 1/4 inch piecing foot on the machine which needs the needle to be in the center position. I take the foot off so that I don't accidently break the needle when I start sewing.