Just to add fuel to the fire, some airlines are deliberately holding checked bags for a later flight, even if their cargo holds aren't full.

Why? It eases their fuel burn. They aren't filling their cargo holds because the added weight makes for higher fuel burns on climb out, and more drag at altitude, so they want to lighten the load to make room for commercial cargo/mail loads they're contracted to fly with.

Basically, they want to weigh down the rear of the plane and lighten the front, so they can use less elevator trim at cruise, which reduces drag.

I'm getting this from professional airline pilots, btw, it's not an urban myth. It's one reason why so many carriers are charging for checked bags now. The media plays it up as a revenue thing but it's also an aerodynamic thing - they just don't want you to check bags so they have options when loading the planes to save money.

FedEx AIR (Express) is a good option I've used a few times. I'd avoid UPS because of they way they physically handle their cargo (quite badly), and I'd avoid FedEx Ground because it's a sub-contracted subsidiary, which can lead to nightmares if something doesn't show up or is damaged. Had some real bad luck with that in the past. DHL has a pretty good rep now though, never had a problem with them before. And don't rule out the USPS for domestic shipping, their rates are good and they don't screw up very often.

re - they want to weigh down the rear of the plane and lighten the front, so they can use less elevator trim at cruise, which reduces drag.

I used to be in air exports and familiar with getting cargo containers on wide body passenger jumbos.
And on cargo planes, they have load masters in charge of coordinating the weight distribution.

re- I'd avoid FedEx Ground because it's a sub-contracted subsidiary

I found out about this only recently when I got to chatting with one of the delivery drivers about the gas guzzling vehicles they drive.
The Mercedes (Dodge) diesel Sprinter FedX vans are all FedX owned, which explains why none of the contract delivery folks for ground service drive any of them. And thanks for the suggestion to avoid ground service.

RD3F,
I have used FEDEX ground several times. I would time it so it was at the hotel at least one day prior to my arrival.
The client usually picked up the shipping cost through their corporate account.
I never sent cameras, but all my lighting equipment. tripods, etc.
Sometimes, my clothes were sent in a Pelican case as well.

Richard

thanks, all, again for all the feedbacks.

i certainly am not at the scale of needing to ship equipment on top of carryon loads.
this is a family trip so they are not about to let me get bogged down with gear and ruin their fun.
(lessons from the past....)

was mainly concerned about potential perils of traveling these days with computer/camera gear and wanting to ship if it ends up being a major hassle.

i think i can narrow stuff down to what i need and be able to put up with the security check routine with the allowed carry on loads.