so ive been flying for about two years now mostly local stuff but i started doing more trips and my current setup is just embarrassing honestly. im using this cheap rolling pelican knockoff i got on amazon and every single time i go through security they pull it aside and i have to unpack basically everything in front of everyone. its not even about the batteries i think its the way all the foam cutouts look when xrayed, like a bunch of weird shapes crammed together.

anyway im thinking about upgrading but i dont really know where to start. i have a mini 3 pro and two sets of batteries, nd filters, a couple extra props, charging hub, the usual stuff. does anyone travel regularly with their kit and have a case recommendation that doesnt look like a bomb on xray lol. also curious if anyone uses those backpack style cases vs hard shell rolling cases for flights, seems like backpacks would be easier but im not sure about protection

the airport thing is just kind of unavoidable sometimes tbh, ive been flying for years and still get pulled occasionally. that said i switched to a Nanuk 935 a while back and it made a huge difference just in terms of how organized everything looks when they open it. the foam is tight, nothing rattles around, and i think TSA agents relax a bit when they can actually see what everything is clearly. worth every penny over those knockoff cases.

for the backpack question ? i use a Shimoda for day hikes and local stuff but for actual flights i always check the hard case. too nervous about overhead bin space and honestly the airlines are getting more aggressive about personal item sizes. just not worth the stress on top of everything else you deal with traveling with a drone.

i just shove mine in my backpack with some bubble wrap lol, but i only have a mini 2 so maybe thats not super helpful. i did see someone on here a while back mention putting a little printed card inside the case with a diagram of everything so agents know what theyre looking at. seemed like a good idea though ive never actually done it