I am going on vacation with my family later this month and we will be flying there. I want to bring a couple games with me. Any of you kind folks have any advise for getting them to our destination without damage/TSA hassle? I would like to bring them on in my carry-on if possible. Will some dude likely rummage through them?
I have flown with games within the continental states as carry on and in luggage. No issues. If it is swaddled well in the luggage, no crushing issues should occur.
I always wrap them in a clear plastic trash bag (individually) with rubber bands. That keeps bits from exploding into your bag, and if the Thousands Standing Around brownshirt fascists decide they HAVE to open it in order to detain the meeples inside (especially if they're brown) you can put it back together fast.
Just don't travel with Rogue Agent. The bomb board inside will probably have you being whipped with a garden hose while some flabby, flat-topped, fascist ex-high school quarterback with a micropenis and chip on his shoulder fat pocket asks you WHERE'S THE DETONATOR.
I've never had any problems when I've taken games home to show my dad/brother. They will usually just scan it and let you move on. I like the idea of a trash bag in case they decide to search it, you can throw it in in there and sort later.
I've taken minis and card extensive games in checked in as well as carry on.
If I'm bringing like one game I'll just through the box in my bag/suitcase. If I'm brining several games I try to condense into a single box or plastic container. Leave those box inserts at home people.
One time I was flying back from visiting my brother and he'd given me his FFG Netrunner core set, but I didn't have space for the box so I threw them in one of those long card boxes you get for Magic or baseball cards. Security gave me a hassle because on the x-ray it just shows up as this massive, solid block.
I've flown with games a LOT over the years. Never had any issues. I tend to de-box them and consolidate them down to as small a space as possible - this also inhibits the parts from moving around. I then put them in blank boxes like the sturdy 3" ones GMT sells.
Occasionally, for larger wargames, I carry the maps rolled up in a large diameter shipping tube, then I can stuff the components in zip lock bags down the center. Sometimes you can share components - for instance, if multiple games have dice, just bring one set; if multiple games have coins/chips, same thing.
Occasionally, all the dense cardboard shows up as a big blob on the X-ray as Metalface says, but when they ask and I tell them, ain't no big thing.