Others have suggested shipping ahead and I just recently read about a man who hasn't checked a bag in over ten years. He ships ahead, breezes through security, and never waits at the luggage area. His luggage is waiting on him at his destination.
If you are going to have lots of down time, it might be worth the trouble and expense to ship your machine and packed up project(s) ahead. And ship them home when you're done. Just think of all that time without interruptions. . . .Bliss! But I would insure my shipment! Most shipping companies will pick up including USPS.