Stricks, I haven't checked the guitar-packing site yet, but your chances of getting a guitar on board as hand luggage these days are becoming pretty damned slim. I have crossed the Atlantic several times with a guitar, and had no problems taking it as hand luggage( always in a SOFT bag btw), but now that most of the airlines are using these templates through which all hand luggage must pass, things have become different. If you are flying American Airlines, you have no chance. I can't speak for the others at present, but they will ALL be adopting this system eventually. to comply with the new FAA regulations.

You just need to be aware of this. I would like to hear of anyone who has successfully pleaded with the security staff and got a guitar on board by bypassing the template.

Murray