Likely this one has had at least a few go-rounds, so I apologize if this is redundant...

However, I will be flying to St. Louis for a gig on Memorial day, and I will probably have at least one bodhran in tow. Does anyone have any suggestions/recomendations/stories they can offer up that might be useful for flying with an instrment?

Would you check an instrument at all? I have seen what my luggage looks like after they're handlers get done with it, and I'm frankly a little afraid. But, conversely, how do you get away with carrying on something that is bigger than the allowable limit?

TIA!! :D