i always use bags like the big lowepro......pelican cases are too big and heavy....they also scream "check me, please!" at security....
i have flown US-europe at least one or twice a year for the last 20 years and always thought (to myself) that with the stuff i am carrying on, i should be able to hide a bomb without any problems....2 or 3 cameras, lenses, flashes (handheld), laptop, batteries, chargers, pdas, cellphone,.....i really want to know how they can tell a spare laptop battery from plastic explosives....
make sure you have the local rental place prepared or at least their number and have talked to them....
and of course: a 5DII is available and relatively cheap (almost) anywhere.....and will do almost any job....
as for security checks: i am always amazed by: how many people have to wear belts, (or have to wear clothing with metal rings, hooks, studs,....) have a large amount of change(!), shoes that take 5 min to get on and off and generally (after wasting 5 minutes putting all this in the trays) walk through the scanner with their wallet or cellphone, so the whole dance starts over.....those are the people responsible for half the time in line....