I cannot imagine how my guitar in its case, and banjo in its case would FIT in the cabin of an airplane ... even if they were allowed. Most instruments are old with high quality, well fitted and insulated cases that are made to protect them in the normal airline handling enviroments, and experience has shown me that the instruments travel well as checked baggage. I do make sure they are insured, because mishaps happen ... but I cannot imagine imposing the burden to my fellow passengers, not mention stressing the security check-point risks of trying to carry on my guitar/s or banjo. In fact, while it is an incovenience to me (they even made me check my harmonicas on the last flight) it better serves the rest of the passengers in the cabin, and the safety issues if they always make toters of guitars (ie., large, acoustic guitars) check them.Not that I'm opposed to writing my congressman, I'd just rather write about something else!