planning a trip to Florida for some light touring and such, and am really wondering about how the TSA goes through checked bags. In order to get everything I need in one bag I was going to use some Event compression sacks. Then I realized that if an inspector unpacks everything, there is no way it will ever get back in the compression sack, or my bag(I was going to use my swiss army engineers bag http://www.keepshooting.com/blog/swi...neer-rucksack/ Its what I always flew with, but things have changed since my last flight fifteen years ago ) Back when, I just flung this thing on the trolley and no problems.

I figure that as I will also have a hammock, pad, tarp, silk liner and sleeping bag in tightly wrapped and finickly packed bags, things could get messy.

I am not flying with a bike, it is waiting for me at a friends house.

So how likely is it that they will unpack a backback on a domestic flight from Fayettville AR to Sarasota Fl, with one stop in Charlotte NC? I was thinking about how my bike pump, trecking poles, and some tools might look funny in an xray

I would use a duffle or suitcase, but I am wanting to take the pack because I will be doing some swamp hiking/airboating/camping as well, and its indestructable and water proof.

I know that the obvious advice is to suck up an extra checked bag, leaving the gear and clothing packed looser, but would like to avoid that extra fee if possible. And as I am hiking ten or so miles from the airport, I wanted to keep it simple. Packing it all back up into the one bag at the airport does not sound like fun.

The reason I need so much stuff that it has to be compacted is that after all the swamp/everglade/beach stuff, I am road tripping to New York, and will need a couple of warmer things.

So, how do you pack your gear for flying to a tour? Do they unpack tents and everything? Any thoughts on what I can expect? Yes, I did try a search, but it did not seem to come up with much.