I've had three mini-mag flashlights and a multitool vanish when my bags have had the "searched by the TSA" tag inside. Yes, carryons are getting to be a bigger and bigger problem. It is really bad when I travel since I refuse to check all expensive gear that I need for my work when I travel. I've actually shipped some things FedEX a day ahead if they have been a big possible problem.

It's weird the differences between over there and over here. All the low-cost airlines over here are trying to eliminate hold baggage to lower their turn-around times.

Sean, how frustrating! I fold and roll my clothes, but when I arrive, I unpack EVERYTHING. I put underwear in drawers and hang everything up, and shoes in the closet. Then I stow the bag. Otherwise I can't keep track of what clothes are clean, and on a business trip, I need to look spiffy every day. Also it saves on the "digging through the suitcase" time.

I've actually shipped some things FedEX a day ahead if they have been a big possible problem.

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I would guess that the White House/TSA and FedEx had some sort of thing going - I know a lot of people who do send their bags this way, rather than worrying about them. At least with FedEx, if you're missing anything, there are ways to get it back, or get a replacement.

But government/private corporations in secret handshake deals? nah....

The costume designers I work with have started shipping things, too. Even though costumes are not necessarily expensive, the last thing you want to do is have to re-shop things in Rochester that you already shopped for in NYC.

Robin is me! I totally unpack and put everything in its place. GF used to mock me for this but now she does it, too. It just makes things nicer. I even do it if we're in a hotel for one night (see overnight Disneyland trip a couple of weeks ago). I am my mother's daughter, after all.

Years and years ago, people routinely checked just about everything - you carried on a purse or briefcase, your coat and hat, but nothing else. Checked luggage went on locked. Then the airlines started taking a good while to unload the luggage and there were more problems with lost luggage, so people who traveled a lot took to carrying on everything and it kind of went downhill from there. Now, with luggage unlocked and likely to circumnavigate the globe before turning up where you want it (I know someone who, flying from NY to Columbus, OH, had her luggage go to Rome), people want to carry on everything. And I know people who FedEx their stuff routinely, just to make sure it actually gets there at all.

Random fraud checks require them to SEE the credit card used to purchase the ticket.

this is bullshit. It makes no sense. What about tickets purchased through a travel agency? or a corporate travel office? There is nothing on the TSA website about having the card with you. BULLSHIT.

I like it when you carry on but they check your oversized items at the gate. You don't have to deal with getting it up in the overhead and you avoid the baggage claim area when you land. Win!

See, I can't unpack and put stuff in drawers. I'd have to clean the dresser first, etc. I'm just paranoid like that. Plus, I pack in outfits, so it's not a problem for me to remember what's clean.