Travel Technology - Help! What's an efficent way to carry on all my portable electronics gear?

Next week I have to fly to do a presentation and I need to bring a laptop, portable printer, speakers, LCD projector, a large SLR digital camera, and assorted wires, connectors, etc. Most of this gear has its own carrying cases and I prefer not to check any of it. I am assuming the gate agents are going to enforce the two pieces of carry on rule and that I'll have to check all my non electronic gear. What's the most efficient way of getting all this gear into two carry on bags? What do FTers do when they have more than this amount of gear and don't want to check it?
Thanx, Paul

I've traveled with almost this much in a TravelPro 20" rollaboard. I put both the laptop and printer in separate padded cases inside.

I prefer not to check any of it

Get a big Pelican case and just check it all.

These guys make some very impressive computer travel cases:

McKlein Computer Cases (http://www.mckleinusa.com/)

Michael
http://www.biztrip.com

I would double check with your airline, most limit you to one carry on, not two. One carry on plus a personal item, which most airlines will allow a camera case, or a computer case. In addition, there is a weight limit on some airlines for the carry on, and while that isn't enforced all that much, I have seen scales at the boarding gates of some airlines.

Personally,when I was doing this, we used FedEx and a flight case for everything. I don't possibly see how you are going to get everything into a 14 x 9 x 22 package and not have it all destroyed.

Take a look at the Porter Case website: portercase.com

They have terrific rollies for electronic equipment. Highly recommended by photographers.

Here is the way they describe their luggage:
Porter Case is engineered as a hard sided wheeled carry-on that easily rolls down the aisle of an airplane and will fit under most seats and/or overhead compartments. Protect your most important and delicate valuables by rolling them on board. After the flight, see the real magic of Porter Case. Pull two pins and a heavy duty luggage carrier instantly appears to carry those extra suitcases, boxes, sales materials. Even skis or golf clubs! No more looking for a Skycap, airport cart rental, or Bellman. No more tipping. Porter Case is an invisible carrier, a protective carry-on, even a seat. It works equally well with trains, planes, ships or autos. With Porter Case your cart is always there. . . when you need it.

Next week I have to fly to do a presentation and I need to bring a laptop, portable printer, speakers, LCD projector, a large SLR digital camera, and assorted wires, connectors, etc. Most of this gear has its own carrying cases and I prefer not to check any of it. I am assuming the gate agents are going to enforce the two pieces of carry on rule and that I'll have to check all my non electronic gear. What's the most efficient way of getting all this gear into two carry on bags? What do FTers do when they have more than this amount of gear and don't want to check it?
Thanx, Paul


LOL... welcome to my life and every trip I take :D

I just put them all in a roller that fits in the overhead.

Whatever you do, don't draw attention to yourself, and never make it look heavy, try and pre-board to prevent having to do a gate check.

Not sure where/what you're presenting, but any chance you can ask the folks at your destination to bum the use of their projector & printer? Most people are empathetic towards lugging around equipment...

Hope you're not going to be on an RJ. That may complicate things.

Get a big Pelican case and just check it all.

Sorry, but that's a real bad idea. TSA can (and will) open the case and then it's a free-for-all for delicate and expensive electronics.

I've never had trouble carrying on enormous amounts of electronics. TUMI has a number of roomy and cleverly designed rollaboards that can manage the load you've described.