Tip to butt tackled up, make sure the tip doesn't potrude below the handle. usually use those girlie hair bobble things to keep sections together, carry two - five made-up rods dep where I'm going and how far the walk is.
Always have a Breakaway clip at th end of the reel line, usually just snick it in the legs of a rod ring when moving around so I can tackle up quick on arrival, ie just snap a trace on and off you go.
Graham gave me ome of those tip top protector things a while back, brilliant idea. You can also get velcro bands but they can allow the tip to slip down, which is a recipe for breaking he top couple of inches off a rod.