- use Truecrypt to create an encrypted partition on your laptop, place all personal info there.
- give the partition file an ambiguous name and location on your computer to decrease the likeliness of it being found.
- try to leave the laptop off for an hour or so before bringing it into the airport (usually a few minutes is good, but better safe than sorry!) this will be sure any residual charge in your RAM has had time to dissipate.
- try to disable virtual memory on your laptop, at least before you take it to the airport, and try to wipe the contents of your page file. (this is easy to let slip, pretty much any pc will have virtual memory enabled by default and most will require it to some extent to operate normally, you should be able to disable it and, i think, delete pagefile.sys) I have to admit that i avoid the hassle of removing the pagefile by just getting machines that have enough RAM that I can keep virtual memory disabled all the time, so i've never actually tried to delete it, you may have trouble here.
-probably a good idea to delete the truecrypt software from your machine before you go to the airport, you can always download another copy and reinstall it on the other side.

- if you do get your laptop seized, and then get it back, be VERY cautious, it probably has "fedware" installed on it

thats what comes to mind right off... anybody else have any tips to add?

The criminally insane are running the asylum. Not one individual will put up such a fuss as to cause a scene. If/When they do they will be tased and the bystanders will do nothing, will offer no help. Let's see they are stealing, I believe that is how it is defined. If I siezed a laptop it would be stealing because I don't have a tin TSA badge. I am so sick of this.
When I was a kid I was bullied. Finally I was cornered one afternoon and I beat the shit out of that bully and I have never forgotten the feeling of liberation that came with it. Now everywhere I look there are bullys.