[Anduril]

I went there last year and they were wanting then. I anticipated it and as such left my hardware in the car. What pissed me off was their treatment of my camera gear. They were extremely7 careless taking gear out of the bag almost dropping one of my bodies. I tried to complain to management once inside and they literally said that they "could do nothing" and if I didn't like it we could leave...so I did. Never to return! I won't share my money with idiots.

I never let any of those metal detector monkeys touch any of my camera gear. Even TSA.
If it becomes an issue, I'll ask for their supervisor, then explain the replacement costs involved.
For a zoo, that might mean my Nikon 200 f/2 (with a D850 body, in the neighborhood of $8,200).

I'm OK for an inspection, but we'll agree up front exactly how that will be performed.

 

[Anduril]

Checked luggage, and you'll have packed it correctly so no matter of mishandling the bag will damage the equipment

The problem with that approach, at least concerning some high-end camera lenses, is that the lead in the glass (sometimes) makes the item opaque to x-ray scanners -- and then they open the bag for a manual search. I never bag-check camera gear. 100% carry on, or I find another way to get it to my destination. (I don't trust the airlines, cruise lines, etc...)

 

[Anduril]

That's the thing, Brownie. The TSA will "undo" all that good packing. If I had a dive computer, say, packed very carefully and sealied in bubble wrap, they would tear away at that bubble wrap and not replace it when they're done. They might put it back in the box it came in, but not re-wrap it.That's a problem.

...of they might not re-wrap it up at all and just put it in their pocket instead.
Baggage handler theft is not a new thing.

And I hear you about the carry-on "pack mule" thing.

 

[Anduril]

I had an interesting experience years ago at Tampa International. (post 9/11).
Basically, I was transporting a demo unit which was housed in a blank 8"x10"x4" NEMA-4 metal box.
Of course, they could not see into it via x-rays.
I offered to open it up for them to peek inside -- but they DID NOT want to do that (which I thought at the time was very odd).
They actually stopped me from opening it.
They swabbed the outside, ran it though the x-ray a couple more times, and then sent me on my way.

Still not as interesting as the Atlanta airport story where they TSA agent was wanding my shoes / feet and could not understand why the handheld wand kept going off.
Hint: I was sitting next to one of their metal file cabinets.

 

[Anduril]

Maybe someone could rub gunpowder residue all over the lock, and then sit back while the TSA tries to find the illicit contraband.
I'd be willing to supply the popcorn for something like that.