Hi all -
I will add my voice to the consensus. I have done a lot of trips in
North America and Central America. I always take two bins, cameras,
film, scope, and field guides and notebook in my carry-on - weighs a
ton. But the combination seems to explain a lot and I have had no
problems, other than people looking through the equipment. Tripod has
gone in my checked bag if it's a small one, or attached to the scope
and into the overhead if it's a big one. The only incident I had was
when I was killing some time before a flight out of San Juan del Cabo,
and set up the scope outside the terminal to watch some of the scrub
birds, and some un-uniformed but purposeful fellows came out to see
what was up. As often happens, they were more bemused than concerned. I
also always go through security early so they have lots of time to look
and ask questions.

Bruce Whittington
Victoria, BC
mailto: fieldnat at pacificcoast.net