Flying Internationally with a bass,best non-flight case?

[willyrep]

Ok, I've done some searching and found some valuable info here but nothing seems to go directly with my situation, which is...
I've flown several times domestic with my bass (USA) and just recently finished a quick 2 day festival slot in India. I flew my Fender in an ATA certified Road Ready flight case borrowed from a friend. Pros-i had piece of mind, it's nearly indestructable and very professionally built. Cons, WAY too heavy and ran into problems with it being "oversized" trying to check it in the Airport at Mumbai. I ended up shelling out 150 USD to make sure it left Mumbai due to "Continental's international oversized standards", which i currently am going to fight.
All in all, i may be going back to India(beautiful experience and country) for a tour spanning a few weeks in March and April and dont want to be charged for an oversized case or lug a 50lb flight case around the airport. Any suggestions as to a generic( as in can fit my Fenders or a Peavey 5string) hardcase thats reasonably light, good for checked baggage and can guarantee peace of mind?
Or should i just dismantle the neck and pack it as carryon luggage? Wait...then i'd need to pack a screwdriver that wont go through the security checkpoints... Sorry for the long rant. Please feel free to share your experiences! Thanks

[Dr_Funkdamental]

Maybe I was just blessed, but Ive flown with my bass ALOT, and I always manage to get it in the overhead, or one of those closets near the front of the plane. I try to get on the plane as soon as I can to get an empty compartment. If its the small ones where everyone's carry on gets packed, I wait til the end and emphasize the importance of the bass in the gig bag. The ground guys usually understand. Sometimes slipping them a 10 doesnt hurt either.

[elros]

I've also always gone for the carry-on option. It has never failed me. Bass in a good leather gig bag (LowEnd in my case) and a smile on my face. Perhaps they'll say it doesn't fit in the overhead, but it always does (so far at least).

[Phil Smith]

SKB Bass Safe.