Back from the trip without incident. I stuck the radio in my small go bag with a small battery, 10m dipole and a small tri-band whip. The go back went in my checked luggage and arrived to and from O'Hare un-harassed. The funny part was that a co-worker traveling with me had his luggage searched on the way back and the most dangerous thing he was carrying with him was a few pairs of dirt undies.

Thanks guys. I was thinking about putting it in my checked bag also but am worried about damage. I don't think that electronics are covered for damages in transit. I suppose I could wrap it up in my undies and hope for the best. Sticking a copy of the manual and my license with it is definitely a good idea.

Does anyone have recent experience flying with a portable rig? I'm getting shipped off for a business trip in a few weeks and thought I'd bring my ft817 and a 10m dipole to hang out the window of the hotel assuming it opens.

The plan is to put all of the cables and whatnot in my checked luggage and the radio in my carry on bag. The airport said it would be fine but the tsa being what it is these days, I thought it would be good to see what others have to say.