jldodge

I have approached packing in a similar fashion, except I use materials which are a bit thicker than socks. I will usually put my lenses in a lens pouch but everything else, including cameras, are in some sort of wrap. I pack this way in backpacks and carryon suitcases. I do own bags with dividers but they have been collecting dust for years.

Dalbon

I think I would get a Pelican 510 case with the padded camera insert. I believe it can still be used as a carry on but not sure since they change things often. I think you can get everything you need in it except maybe the tripod. I have started checking my camera case and it goes through fine. I did have a problem with the customs, TSA, at the Chicago airport as they did over a thousand dollars in damage to my Nikon and one lens. It took me over a year to get my money and there was no doubt that it was their fault. I had to physically have it checked in China before loading the plane and watched the customs take everything out and then put it back but I also made sure everything was in it's place. It was fine when it was loaded but when I got home it wasn't. I did suggest several times to the director that TSA should assign identification numbers for their agents so that if something happened then they would know which agent was responsible. The last time I flew I noticed they had added the identification for each of their agents.
Good Luck, David

aardq

Agree with those that like the shock absorbing capability of a regular camera bag. The dividers keep things from moving around. As one who has had TSA idiots inspect my luggage, and damage a lens, they will tear apart your packing, remove the socks, and just put everything back into the back pack without any concern as to how they are "repacking". Small insurance to have a camera bag.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

You are a braver man than I, Gunga Din.

rambler Loc: Masssachusetts

"I would be concerned about the lint from the socks getting into the lenses." a comment from above...hopefully your socks are smart wool. Original wool does have fibers that can get into a lens! This happened to me when I used wool gloves while photographing in cold weather.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I hate when my old joints get stiff. It nice to have a warm bath of Epsom salt and nothing else to do.

But onto the matter at hand. Log onto MyCaseBuilder.com. You can customize the foam for a nice hard plastic case. You won't need to use that "pluck the squares" silliness.
Now if the socks work for you, great!
I hope that you don't have one of those vests that has a bajillion pockets and zippers. I though that would be a great idea until a friend told me i would look like a terrorist with a suicide bomb. Definitely, not the fashion statement I was angling for!

Get some ginger candy before the flight so you don't get nauseous. Pick up a good book to read. Try "The Man He Became," by James Tobin. Have a safe flight!

Happy Shooting!

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Me too. The use of socks could result in one of each pair escaping to that place in the ozone where all lost single socks reside, never to be found again.