I said it before and I'll say it again.

Don't put anything of value in your checked baggage.
If you can't/shouldn't carry it on with you, don't bring it.
Look for alternatives. Can you buy it there?

Can you ship it separately? There are many ways to do this.
You can ship to hotels in advance of your arrival.
FedEx/UPS both do pick and will call.
Your shipment is/can be insured.

This way, items of value, equipment, tools, etc. that you might not be able to carry on, but will need at your destination, or need to get back home, will arrive safe and secure, unmolested by the TSA or baggage handlers.

Believe me, the cost is worth it.

I teach technical classes all over the country and this is how my "stuff" gets from place to place. Get an account with one of the shipping companies, get a stack of their shipping forms, and get the number for their pick up request. You should know the address/phone# of your destination, right (you've got a reservation don't you)? A phone call is usually all it takes to make the necessary arrangment.

I know this won't work for everyone, but it may help a few.
And that is what FT is all about.