Thanks again to everyone for your comments, feedback and suggestions. Just to clarify I am thinking of leaving the iPhone home for a couple of reasons. First of all, I hear that TSA is taking phones away and copying information, contacts, etc. Please don't misunderstand, I have nothing ON my phone except my own photos, and my mom's phone number, but I am peeved that I would have to have to deal with that. . Secondly - although I know that the iPhone 7 is supposed to have one of the best cameras - mine just is not. (I do have Verizon FYI)

I see all of those billboards that show stunning pix and the caption is "Taken by an iPhone 7," but - my pictures just don't look any where near good. That's one reason why I think the suggestions to get a camera are a good idea.

The reason why I posted about the Google Pixel is that I want to be able to send emails, take pictures and call my family. But I think from reading all of the above information, it would probably just be best to get a digital camera and bring the iPhone. Thanks again to everyone.

Susan, all of this nonsense about TSA insisting you unlock your phone for them is just hyperbole. It's not happening routinely to travelers; it has probably happened a few times in a few rare cases - maybe someone got flagged as a terrorism suspect. And those very rare cases have generated an inordinate amount of publicity.

If it were happening more than rarely, we'd be hearing about it constantly. But I've never heard of it happening to ANYONE I know - and I know a lot of people who travel more than I do, who post on Facebook, who would be ranting about it if it happened to them.

I'm not a big Apple fan and wouldn't dream of buying an iPhone myself- but if you are having trouble taking decent pictures with it, I suggest you either don't know how to use it properly or that there is something wrong with it. It should be able to take very decent pictures, even if not quite billboard quality every time out. If you don't know how to use the iPhone 7 camera properly, I can't see a Pixel or any other phone doing much better.

Nothing wrong with buying/bringing a separate camera, though.

Hey Andrew - I hope you are right. I am seeing all of these stories about travelers who miss their flights when the TSA dudes take their phones and detain them (the phones.) Ugh. I am just going to bring it.

The pictures are DECENT. Just not great. My dad is a photographer so I like great. And if you are in Italy - the pix should be great. I think the idea of a separate camera is a good one.

Susan, the stories you have heard have been about customs and border agents - NOT TSA - searching phones. (Big difference, actually.) And they are not searching them in the United States proper - in the rare cases I have heard about, at least, they have been by customs agents inspecting phones of a few travelers entering the US from another country, before they have legally re-entered.

In other words, the only flight you'd risk missing - if this were really happening more than very, very rarely - would be a connection after returning to the US, not on the way to Europe or something. TSA operates in the United States, and they do not have any right to search your phone without a warrant. But before you re-enter the US in the legally murky area of an airport right before you pass through immigration and customs, it is claimed that you lose some constitutional rights you'd have in the US proper. I say "claimed" because I don't think this has been challenged in court yet.

Susan, every single person on every plane has a phone. You should have yours with you, for use in an urgent situation or an emergency. The stories you have read, while worrisome, are insufficient reason to abandon your phone.

The camera is neither here nor there--as you say, just bring a camera that takes pictures you're happy with.

If you want "great" pictures, a dedicated camera helps but you have to practice.

Not only taking pictures but post-processing them, learning to use programs like Adobe Lightroom.

As for restrictive border security, now there's talk that they want to extend the electronics ban not just from Middle Eastern countries but all countries. So no laptops or iPads in the cabin, you have to put them in checked luggage, where they're more likely to be stolen.

Just back from Italy. I bought the $10. per 24 hour period international plan that Verizon offers. I used it for both my iPhone and iPad (so essentially $20./day). A little expensive but I liked that my phone/iPad worked as it does here in the US.

carolsc

When I had T-Mobile on my last two trips to Europe, it was nice to have my Android phone work about the same as in the US - very simple. So I can understand why people might choose the ease of the Verizon or AT&T international roaming plans. If you don't mind the extra expense, they are great. But I'm far too frugal myself to pay $20 USD per day to use my devices on a trip!

And being a techy person myself, I actually kind of enjoy the challenge of making this stuff work. I'll be tickled if I can get away with spending about $30 USD on this Vodafone SIM for 2.5 weeks in Europe. I wonder how much longer it will be until international roaming is automatically included in all wireless plans, in the way that "long distance" within the US was once an extra cost but is now considered a routine part of any basic mobile phone service.

I am with Andrew. I am going to try to get by with 3 Freedompop GSMglobal SIMs (that work off 3UK). I have been using them for data in the US for the last year. If they don't work, or if my 17 year old daughter burns through that I will have to find something. But I don't expect to go much beyond $20 for the week.

Yes, it is a challenge...