I have a targus backpack as my carry-on, and it has all the electronics the wife and I are taking with us on our trip to Japan. I'm worried about all these electronics and how exactly they will handle them. Also, will it be tough to get through security with all this stuff? I mean will they want me to turn everything on, plug everything in, etc?

I personally don't trust packing my electronics in check-in luggage.

My wife's backpack just has snacks and what not.

Would appreciate your experiences with this and any suggestions you may have to make it easier on them, and me.

Thanks!

I often travel with anywhere from 3-7 notebooks. I use a different bin for each item at security, so you don't want to be behind me in line.

But, security doens't cause any problems.

I do normally check my power supplies and cables beacause they're less likely to be stolen, and it saves a little bit of weight.

Cromely.

I'm traveling with an incredible amount of electronics in my carry-on. I have never had a problem.

At TSA checkpoints, all the stuff just goes through w/o manual checks.

International checkpoints rarely want to have a second look, which takes between 30 and 60 seconds.

On my last flight, my carry-on held
Laptop
Palm pilot (with cradle)
digi camera
MP3 player
cell phone
webcam (for Laptop)
power converter
and cables/power supplies/connectors for all

They didn't even blink at me. I'm pretty sure there are people with even more.

Laptop + power supply
Digital Camera
8 AA batteries
bluetooth adapter x2 + power supplies
binoculars
spare laptop battery
scanning radio receiver
GPS
portable numeric keypad
USB hub
mini optical mouse
laptop CD drive
portable DVD player
cell phone
misc cables and adapters

Only time I ever had a problem was when I accidentally left a screwdriver in the bag. It was confiscated. No other issues before or since. Only about one out of five times do they even take an extra moment to look at it on the X-ray screen.

I have no problems, I do allow some extra time though,

My usual carry on is the following

3 (or 4) - Digital SLR Cameras
6 - Lenses
2 (or 3) - Electronic Flashes
9 - Batteries for Digital SLR cameras
24 - sets of rechargable "AA" batteries
3 - Pocket Wizard Radio recievers
1 - Pokcet Wizard Radio Transmitter
1 (or 2) - Apple PowerBooks
1 - Radio Scanner (domestic travel)
1 - Palm Treo
1 - iPod
1 - Car/Plane power inverter
6 - Chargers/Power Supplies
1 - Ethernet Hub
12 - Cables for various things

There are a few other things I know I am leaving out (like optical mouse).

I travel heavily domestically and internationally with no problems. I get stopped at SFO somewhat often, but most photographers I know get stopped at SFO often to have their gear swabbed. At Narita if you have a lot of gear they may empty your bag into trays then x-ray the bag empy.

would agree with both posts listing their sundry carryon contents. I tend to travel with a similar load overseas and domestic -- never a big issue, going to UK at least. However i would say stashing all the chargers except the laptop in my check in bag seems to ensure it does get opened by TSA 1/2 the time.

I never met with any problem or any delay with:
laptop & adapter
ipod
PDA
DC
DV
Lots of batteries

Just need to take the laptop out of my bag when passing the check point

On my last trip to Hawaii I had a backpack loaded up with SLR, 6 lenses, batteries, cards, and a bunch of ancillaries. Leave the Big Island, the TSA agent spent at least 20 minutes swabbing and scanning evey single piece of equipment. She said it was "the rules" - I feel sooooo safe. 4 other flights had no such search.

You won't have problems, just possible delays.

IME, Hawaii and TSA is a nightmare, no matter what. Security harassement on inter-island flights surpassed everything I have ever witnessed anywhere in the world.

Have you ever carried on a monopod with your photo gear? Any experiences to share?

I traveled with a lot of electronics this weekend and didn't have any problems. I also packed the bags in such a way that everything was lying flat as it went through the x-ray machine so to give them a clear view of what's in there. The bag was re-scanned on one leg but I was expecting nothing less.