Topics says it all.  I'm wondering if you can carry on a two ball tote?   I don't want to check them, due to one of them being unreplacable.  You input is greatly appreciated. 

This one's been debated, discussed, dissected, and disagreed with over the years.
Answer is simple.... you probably can.
It depends on the airline, the city, and mostly the TSA agents you run into. Odds are about 90% favorable, and some airlines have a better record than others, but that's really a TSA co-incidence, not the airline itself unless you are going thru security at a checkpoint that only serves that particular airline (like Phoenix for example). Agents won't stop you... They won't even know. There are no airlines that specifically prohibit bowling balls.
Personally, I've been stopped only one time, San Diego outbound to Nats, because TSA said they couldn't see thru the object. After 2-3 minutes of insulting his heritage, he let me thru.
With all the success stories, you've got a great chance of having no trouble at all, but it is, based on all reports, not a 100% percent lock....

I've heard all of the same; it's really a toss up. Many people seem to have been able to do this with no problems, but I've heard of issues concerning the TSA when the balls go through the x-ray. If it were me, I wouldn't want to risk it because you're pretty much screwed if you happen to catch that one batch of agents who want to give you grief about it. As such, I'd either put them in a 3-ball tourney bag and check them (Southwest), or I'd ship them ahead using BBE. Then again, maybe you're more of a risk taker than I am.

As all of the replies above have said, it all boils down to money and timing.  If you are still bowling leagues and need your equipment, shipping may not work in time for you or be too costly.  BBE is a good option but there are fees on top of the shipping fee USBC adds to pay their shipping employees who work at the tournament.  Not a lot but be it there.

As far as carry ons, if you live in a mid-size city or larger the TSA has probably seen bowlers and bowling balls many times and will not have any issues.  They may scan your balls for bomb materials.  They wipe them with a swap and stick it in an analyzer.  Maybe an extra 3 minutes through security.  The ones I have heard about having issues with TSA is small town airports where TSA just isn't used to dealing with bowling equipment.  Either be prepared to negotiate with TSA or leave yourself enough time and have the money to go back to ticketing and check the bowling balls.

Now, I have carried on bowling balls many times and I have never had an airline let me put them in the overhead.  As I am struggling to lift them up there the flight attendant will ask me what they are and when I say bowling balls, they always tell me, under the seat.  But others above have got them in the overhead.  Maybe it's how strong you are and not drawing attention.  LOL

I have used BBE and have taken them on the plane.  I prefer BBE, but the last couple of years we were in the last couple of weeks of league and I needed the balls for league.  I have checked 3 ball totes and carried on 2 ball totes without any problems.  They will pull you aside and check the 2 ball tote.  The only issue I ever had was in Reno of all places.  The TSA agents questioned my interchangeable thumbs. 

Problem solved, upgraded to 1st class for a reasonable amount.   Free bags!  Oh yea!

I usually fly Southwest when I go to nationals.  Typically I bring 4 balls.  I check 2, as well as a piece of luggage with all my clothes, and I always carry a 2 ball tote on the plane.  Also, another tip, bring a backpack or something on the plane as well since that is considered a personal item and keep your shoes in there.  This way if for some reason the airlines do lose your luggage, you at least have 2 balls and your shoes.  The only thing I have been told is that I have to keep the balls under the seat, that I can't put it in the overhead compartment because of the weight.  Once in a while I'll run into an issue at the x-ray machine.  Once the TSA agent told me that I had to "open up the ball" because the core looked funny.  After a minute or two of attempting to explain to the woman why that isn't possible, a second agent came over, called the first agent an idiot and let me through.   

... a DHS attorney appeared before a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and boldly claimed DHS has the authority to strip search every airline passenger. Although it hit the news, I was surprised by the lack of media coverage.

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2469069/endpoint-security/does-dhs-have-the-authority-to-strip-search-passengers-like-it-claims-.html


http://tsanewsblog.com/12916/news/tsa-strip-searches-another-victim/