Traveling with a Lens in a suitcase??

Scary stuff...I guess it's generally advisable NOT to put stuff in the suitcase! (Though I am putting in my flash bracket.)
I'm a bit surprised at the response. I actually thought that there would be more people saying they put lenses in their suitcases.
I guess I'll just have to decide, as usual, which lens to leave behind. It's just too much for me to lug along everything--besides, it won't fit into the bag that I'm taking.
And how many times do I bring along a lens only to watch it sit in my case for the entire time!?
Probably leave the Macro behind....though I love that lens! (I like the 300 zoom the least, but it gives me a desirable focal length IF I need it.)
Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Carry on is the way to go but does have its problems,ie 6KG limit on a lot of flights from the uk and that gives me a big problem at the end of the month.I want to take my 1dsmk2,40d,500f4,70-200f2.8Lis and 24-70L to the USA.500f4 in a lowepro lens trekker with no body on is 6KG so thats one hand luggage gone,the wifes slingshot 300 aint going to get the rest in and be under 6KG so I don't know what the hell i'm going to do.?I forgot to mention spare batterys, chargers flash and tripod.

For jobs courier your gear.

Wilt wrote in post #5246332
CT machines see inside checked baggage. Theft rings, such as at London Heathrow, have been known to use the CT to scout out which bags have items of interest!

Airport theft is very much spread out throughout the world. Here is a couple of links which talk about airport theft in the USA.

http://www.naturescape​s.net/phpBB2/viewtopic​.php?t=128013

http://www.naturescape​s.net/phpBB2/viewtopic​.php?t=128043

Looks like my peli case inside my case then.

Hogloff wrote in post #5247012
Airport theft is very much spread out throughout the world. Here is a couple of links which talk about airport theft in the USA.

http://www.naturescape​s.net/phpBB2/viewtopic​.php?t=128013

http://www.naturescape​s.net/phpBB2/viewtopic​.php?t=128043

...which is why I wrote "such as at Heathrow" with no statements about the absence of theft at other airports, too.

malla1962 wrote in post #5247273
Looks like my peli case inside my case then.

They just steal the case and then open it at home.

Unless you have a ton of equipment, carry your stuff with you whenever possible.

I try not to check anything I think I may want in the first couple of days. On one international trip, I didn't get my checked luggage until 4 days after I'd landed.

I NEVER check anything of value. Period.

I am traveling quite frequently with lot of equipment usually in LowePro back pack - CompuTrekker Plus AW, most of the airlines do not have problem with it even thou it is way heavier then max weight of carry-on. Few times in different international airports I have been told that it is to heavy during initial checking-in, I also wear photo-vest while traveling, so I am unloading the back pack, stuffing heaviest items – lenses, batteries, cameras, laptop in the pockets of the vest, go thru checking area to the gate and then will load the backpack again.

Interesting post on airport theft here http://flyingwithfish.​blogspot.com/

read 03march2008 post

After watching the way baggage "handlers" tossed suitcases over the top of a baggage cart onto the tarmac(at two different airports!), I won't check anything thats not expendable.

^ Just remember, 3 oz. or less.

I didn't read all the replies, but I say: get a Porter Case and carry it on! NO WAY any of my stuff goes in a suitcase. I have teh largest size allowed for carry-on.
The case ends up being heavy, but: it converts into a hand cart and you can stack all your other stuff on top of it! I have traveled to Europe by myself twice with my son and the Porter Case; once when he was 15 months and once when he was 3. The first time I lugged the Porter Case and a stroller, quite a sight, the second I just sat my son on top of it when he was too tired to walk (Caution: This is not a suggestion for anyone to try this! Children should be seated only in a safe place! Do not sue me because you read here that I did this and your child fell off your Porter Case and cried for 3 seconds!) And I could stack all my checked bags on top of it without having to get an airport cart. The best thing since sliced bread!!
When personnel questions me about the heavy carry-on I just say I'm a professional photographer and the gear is worth X amount, they frown but let me through. Not so much an issue in the States, a bit tougher within Europe (weight restrictions for things that go in overhead bins; the occasional stairs to maneuver. Only an issue if you're by yourself with a small child, though).