First time travel with my gear. HELP

Ok, so I am flying out Sat morning to go see moms. I am flying SWA straight shot. Do I get to take my camera bag on board with me? I am just taking my 7D and couple lenses and my 580EX, all of which fits in my camera bag.

Is there anything I need to do special? Will they make me check it? It's smaller then a carry on, or at least the same size as.

Any advise for traveling and packing would be great.

you wouldn't have any issue passing through tsa as a carry-on.

Now I am contemplating taking my SLIK TP.

Any tips on the best way there with that?

definitely bring the main gear carry on, and I assume you mean a tripod by TP? I usually pack mine diagonally in my checked bag(it has its own case so it makes it a bit easier)

I normally travel with camera, lenses etc as my carry on and tripod (within a tripod bag) within my checked in luggage.

Reason for the tripod bag is twofold: added protection for the tripod (its a CF tripod) and stops any leak of grease/oil/dirt onto my clothes!

You time travel?
Excellent!

I never liked that slick TP, I prefer the 2 ply quilted.

Sorry, this thread is going down the *****!

My camera gear goes with me on the plane, and I have never had a problem with security. They did swab it for explosives, though. If for some reason I don't want to carry it, it goes UPS Blue insured.

That's funny lol, thanks guys, making me feel better about it now.