I sometimes carry a camera through airports professionally (I do some freelance magazine writing/photography) and here's what I've done when carrying my trusty Nikon and etc. through airport security, including two trips post-Sept. 11th.

First, there's no harm in letting your lenses, camera bodies and other equipment through the X-Ray machine. It's only the film you have to worry about. Just be sure not to have a roll loaded before you go through security. I've never seen or heard of the security types disassembling a camera body, but if they're feeling really suspicious they may ask you to dry fire a few frames (another reason not to have any film inside).

Second, I've asked for hand inspections of my film and gotten it each time. One airport security guard, in Denver, tried to insist on putting my film through the X-Ray but I calmly said "no," pointed out that FAA regulations permit travelers to request a hand search of photographic film and asked to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor performed a hand inspection of my film and told the original screener that I or anyone else who asked for a hand inspection of film was within their rights. I've heard apocryphal accounts of a USAToday photog who carries a printout of the relevant regs from FAA's website in his camera bag, but I've never needed it. You can also get a lead foil film storage bag at any well-stocked camera store and put your film in that (which will result in a more intense hand inspection when they can't see through the blob in your baggage) but I have had no difficulties using a plastic 'ziploc' bag and insisting on my right to a hand inspection.

You might consider the possibility of mailing your exposed rolls home or (unless you've got a lab you regularly use or you're doing something tricky) having the film developed while you're on vacation. This eliminates the return half of the problem.