Having just returned from 2 flights with pins, I think I can speak on this topic.
1) Pins are
HEAVY - weighing between 1 - 5 ounces EACH. Depending on how many your are planning to take this can add up more quickly than you expect, especially if you are taking a large number in pin books / lanyards. This means that 2 - 4 moderately sized pins can equal a pound in your bag. Even at about an ounce per pin, a good large trading selection of say 200 pins checks in at say roughly 15 pounds, nearly 30% of your luggage allowance in that bag. And you do plan to take along clothing and personal items? All US airlines are weighing bags and have a surcharge if you go over 50lbs. You will also want to make allowances for the new pins that you will be acquiring at the park via purchases.
2)
Packing
You should always have a TSA approved lock on any bag that you check for your flight. Be certain that you have your name/address/contact data on an external luggage tag as well as an internal tag. With digital scanning and tracking, lost luggage is becoming increasingly rare,
WHEN PROPERLY TAGGED. On the other hand, you need to remember comment #1.
Pins are heavier than you think. It is to your advantage if you can keep them in a carry on bag. It also saves you the potential extra baggage fee. Not to mention that if you are delayed being able to check into your hotel, the pins are close at hand and ready to be traded.
Take advantage of the machines that are now located in Downtown Disney and have an engraved luggage tag made for both your luggage and pin bags, or even your lanyard. While a touch expensive at the parks $11 - $13 for a large 5 line BRASS luggage tag and wire connector, they're worth the investment. Even the 3 line dog collar style tag can be the difference between your bag / lanyard coming back to you or being gone forever. Disney's Lost and Found department is
LEGENDARY at their ability to reunite a lost treasure with its owner,
if they have something to work with and know where/how to return it to the owner.
3)
Airport Security
If you have pins in your checked bag and are under weight, you are home free. Should TSA feel the necessity to examine your bag, they will include a tag indicating that the bag has been opened. While pins are valuable and precious beyond gold and platinum to us, the reality is they're just tiny bits of metal to a potential thief and not worth the effort to take. (A thief would want your camera, jewelry, or other more precious items). You precious pins are most at risk in the baggage claim area, where most thefts occur.
If your pins are in the carry on bag, your main obstacle is the Departure Airport security check point. You are already asked to arrive early and the extra time will make it easier for you. At
worst, your bag will draw extra attention from all the small metal pieces that will show on the X-ray scanner. You will be asked to have your bag returned for a second X-ray check. Failing the 2nd check, you will be asked to open the bag for physical examination. Expect a few conversational questions about being a pin trader as well as admiration for any prettier pins. If you are really unlucky, you'll get to watch them do a nitrate swab check for your bag. Having passed all these checks - about 5 to 10 minutes which take place while you are getting dressed again after having to remove your coat / shoes / belt / hat / bags and return your computer to its own bag, you will be free to go.
Coming back from Santa Ana (John Wayne) or Orlando and to a lesser extend Los Angeles International and Long Beach airports, you'll go through security much faster as they deal with pins on a more regular basis than your departure airport.
4)
US Postal Service
As a helpful hint, before you go pick up a
Fixed rate US Priority Mail box and create a profile on the
US Postal Service web page. Then before you are ready to fly home, package all of your precious pins and park mementos in the box. Visit your hotel business center and print out a prepaid mailing label. After securing the label to your box you may A) have the hotel add it to their outgoing mail for the day - helpful hint: many hotels routinely mail items that guests leave behind and may even have packing material you can have for the asking, B) take it to a nearby post office - helpful hint: The Anaheim (Holiday Station) Post office is only a short bus ride away from the typical hotel areas, or C) arrange for the Postal Service to "pick it up" from the front desk when they do their normal mail delivery to the hotel.