travelling with lots of gear

If this has been answered or addressed previously, my apologies but airline regs seem to change so fast...

I'm planning on (finally) making some time for some longer distance travel than I've ever done before and am not sure how to handle taking my gear along since now I'll have to fly. Up until now I've driven everywhere.

Was wondering how most of you handle travelling by air and taking your long lens/lots of lenses/bodies with you. Checking photo gear just doesn't seem like a comforting prospect since you can't lock it up after 9/11. (that is still the case I assume). And with a 500 taking up most of whatever bag used, seems like might not be possible to carry on everything.

I have read that some folks FedEx or UPS their gear to their destination. Anybody ever do that? Good experience/bad experience?

Finally, anybody have any experience travelling by rail as an alternative to both auto and air?

Geez, guess that's 3 questions...sorry.
JR

John, the first thing to do is weigh and measure the gear you want to take and then compare that with the airline baggage regs.

Budget airlines/low cost carriers can be a real pain when it comes to the size of your cabin bag, but I've found that 'real' airlines are far more forgiving as long as it fits in the overhead lockers.
I usually keep 2 camera bodies and shorter lenses in a compact camera bag. I carry the long lens in its own case as a separate item. I also carry a small laptop and an Epson photo store.
So far I've not been turned away.
BUT - I do not have any of the really long lenses (600mm or 700mm)

I use a 50 liter day pack. I put laptop in first right up against my back than I line the bottom with a light fleece jacket, than I load my 500mm lens wrapped in a soft carry sack. Than I put more soft clothing that I will need for trip and load camera medium zoom and one fixed wide angle lens inside all neatly packed with my clothes it works very well. In the outer pockets I carry ball head, chargers and all outer important gadgets. I have never had any problems with the airline with this and it never leaves my sight. Tripod and anything else can go in the checked luggage. This sounds alittle crude but I don't like to advertise what I am packing to the average thief. And I always have my gear , some clothes and daypack no matter what happens to luggage.

I carry all my photo gear and laptop in a Mountain Hardware backpack that meets carry-on requirements. The only camera-related gear I put in my check-in bag is my tripod. You may want to check your airlines policies as some airlines do not cover camera gear stolen from check-in bags. On a return flight from Iceland I packed my camera's charger in the check-in bag and it was missing when I picked up my bag and they refused to cover the loss, luckily it was less than $100.

I recently made a 4 month trip to South America using a Think Tank Airport Takeoff bag. It had enough room for my 5D and 4 lenses including a 70-200mm and a 15" laptop. I also packed ancillary stuff that could have gone in checked baggage like battery chargers, batteries, flash, hard drive and lots of cables. They have larger bags too that still meet airline carry-on regs. I'm impressed with their stuff. Check them out - no I don't work for them. www.thinktankphoto.com

John, I travel international and domestic all the time with my photo gear. I pack similar to Jack. I never check my photo gear, check any additional clothes left over after using them to wrap your gear. Weight is the secret. I just bring less clothes and carry one carry-on for everything. I use a Lowe Pro 40L travel bag. it is soft sided so it does not weigh a lot, but I carry it as a back pack and never have been questioned about weight. It is over the limit for low cost carriers, but since on my back is never questioned.. Never a problem for major carriers since most allow hand luggage and briefcase. One other thing, you need to carry all your batteries in your carry-on, most if not all airlines do not allow batteries for checked luggage. I sure you understand why.

I carry my gear in a Gura Gear Kiboko 22L (http://www.guragear.com/kiboko-22l/). It is within limits for all international carry-on, and holds a lot of equipment, including my 500mm and laptop. For overflow items I have a ScotteVest Expedition Jacket(http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_jackets_vests.shtml). I have even manged to get my tripod (Gitzo series 3) my Jobu gimbal head and one change of clothes within its 37 pockets.Where they weigh bags, it also works well to help get your bags within weight limits.
Check out Moose Petersen's bag: http://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/trading-post/mooses-photopacks-mp1/

I use the Think Tank Airport Antidote V2.0. I love the separate pocket with portable sleeve for my laptop. It is sized to fit overhead but if you end up on a "connecting flight" and the overhead is a tad smaller the sleeve comes out and fits easily in seatback area or under your seat, and is padded too.
I have managed D700+ 300mm f/2.8 with 2.0TC but nothing longer+all accessories;extra body, W> lens, 18-250mm lens, flash etc. I had a special case for my tripod and head and carry it as hand luggage. only had to check it once-detached shoulder strap and it arrived find. Secret is, it didn't look like tripod or something valuable.
I also shoot with digiscope. that camera a M4/3 GX1 goes in backpack along with misc. I did Fedx the scope in protective case within nondescript packaging, to Australia. yes it cost $75.00 but was insured and guaranteed. It beat me there and was waiting at my destination. Make sure you have gear insured and read policy as to what/when they will not cover-such as within a suitcase. I carried photos/ser.# of all gear, in iPod, in my pocket in case backpack somehow damaged or stolen etc.
I recommend separate travel medical ins. too. sprained knee in Aust. and ins. covered treatment and crutches for a week!
Have fun. think proactively. (-:

Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond. Your information has been very valuable to me. Be well all.