I’ve carried my laptop a few times in checked in baggage to/from USA and it survived. I know … probably not the best place for a laptop but the camera gear was staying with me :) If it’s a matter of convenience, it probably could survive. Bags are randomly searched in the USA by the TSA and there’s always the potential for theft. Gotta weigh that into consideration.
Speaking as someone who used to work as a baggage handler – I’d never put anything into checked luggage unless it was packed to survive rolling down a hill :D
For carry-on just be a wary of any storage devices like SD cards in over head lockers as there can be quite strong EM fields running the length of the plane – best put it under your seat/in your pocket.
If you are buying lenses in the States because they are cheaper, and will travel back and forth frequently you may want to remember that on any subsequent search, customs can identify the fact that this set of potential lenses can be identified as not officially imported and hence could be liable for duty.
It’s not something that I would worry about, but some might…
Carry it on Ali – on all trips abroad I bring my trusty D70. I remove the lens and bring the two together as carry on in my Laptop bag. The camera and lens won’t fit into it when attached.