At last a subject I know inside and out.

first the rules:

For carry-on baggage (guitars) it must 'reasonably' fit in the overhead bin.
Reasonably is the key word. Sure the bin is 45 inches, and your travel guitar is only 44.2 inches long....but the airline has the discretion of deciding on whats appropriate or not.
Dont argue with the ticket agent. It could make things worse.

Best scenerio for 'travel' sized guitars, pack em in a backpack or other nondescript cover. Airline employees often view guitars in general. That is, they are too big to fit on board the passenger cabin. If you have a say, Baby Taylor, IT WILL fit in any overhead bin for a Boeing 737 and larger. The one exception is the Boeing 747 model 200 and 300. Those aircraft use 2/3 sized bins, but have more of them. Still most travel guitars wont fit in those 2 aircraft.

If you do check on your guitar as luggage, you have basically 3 choices.
A super case such as a Calton, the same, with a soft cover over the outside of the case, or, a shipping case. (think square or rectangular case with metal siding and corners that doesnt mimic the shape of the insturment. You can get away with your hardshell case, but you are taking some chances.
Airlines will not generally insure guitars. Not musical insturments, just guitars. And bicycles. Go figure. Present your guitar in the finest padded case, and they will tell you the liability on lost or damaged luggage does not apply. If you have a super case that doesnt resemble the shape of a guitar, dont tell em what it is. Should the worst happen, you will be covered under the airlines liability insurance.

General tips. If you travel, slack all of the strings. Its not the pressure difference, but the banging around on a high strung insturment that could cause damage.
Also, even if you have a super delux case, make sure there is no dead space under the body of the neck. Most cases protect the main body and the headstock......the length of the neck often has a gap under it. In a severe drop, the shock could cause the neck to break. Pack dense clothing under the length of the neck inside of the case. Support the guitar along its entire length.

And lastly, everyone hears only the horror stories, not the many thousands of guitars that make it safely every single day. Damage really is the exception.

Also, you can ask the airlines about suit racks. A lot of airplanes have a s pace in the front galley specifically for passengers garmet bags. Usually a space about 10 inches wide in the flight attendants area. Many airlines will let you stow a guitar case upright in this area, just ask.

United will insure guitars, etc., if they are
packed in an "acceptable manner", again this
according to the United manager. My chipboard
carry-on case didn't qualify. I did manage to
get the oversized baggage clerk to fix me up
with a big cardboard box and some styrofoam packing, so the the mando made it OK, thanks for asking

As I say, take this as you will. I have traveled many times with instruments on planes. I even switched to taking the mandolin after 9-11 just to be on the safe side. FAA regs mandate a 22" maximum, so be prepared to check it if you take it.

commander, I am duly impressed with your mastery of airline interior detail. Might you possibly have employment experience in the commercial aviation industry?

Jim

It tells me, that musical instruments always should be allowed as carry-ons.