Southwest airlines and my bass

[pcollin]

I got a last minute invite to play in Chicago this past weekend for a fund raising event organized by a group of friends. I really wanted to do it and flew out on Southwest Airlines. I don't own a heavy duty travel case for my bass but was told I could gate-check it to avoid unwanted handling. Southwest was awesome! their agents at the gates were totally cool and handled my bass with respect. I actually saw them transfer my bass by hand from one plane to another and carefully load it. My bass was fine, I had a great time and we raised some good money.

[XylemBassGuitar]

That's good to know they handled it carefully. I've always been worried about flying with instruments....

[ZonGuy]

I travel a lot. SWA is the best airline to fly IMHO.

I have a gold membership with Continental - when I can get upgraded to 1st class, its good; otherwise, miserable. Worst thing about Continental is that they must have a policy to use the loudspeaker every 30 minutes, so kiss off getting a decent nap. SWA used to be very courteous about not disturbing the passengers, although recently they seem to have drifted this way.

[rfclef]

(Before you guys beat me up, I have searched, and found a mind-numbingly large amount of input, but would appreciate some real-time {more or less} input)... (OH!!! and notice i did not start a new thread???)I have always been pleased with SW, but I have never flown with a bass. I am leaving for Texas in a week on Southwest and I am trying to decide if I should:
A: Try to carry on my bass in a bag (it is a Birdsong shortscale, so is roughly guitar sized...) and would fit in a guitar bag... in fact, has a standard guitar harshell case.
B: get a flight case, and check my Birdsong as baggage (I am looking at a couple at GC and Portland music... an SKB guitar flight case (poly...proliehip... plastic) and a Warwick RockCase, with the metal corners and edges and butterfly latches and nice interior... both around $130-140. )
C: Just take one of my cheapos instead... get a flight case and check it or try to carry on in a gig bag.
D: just hit a pawn shop and buy a beater to practice on down there...

HAs anyone flown with a bass on Southwest (checked OR carryin) RECENTLY?
HAS ANYONE had a bass in a flight case (as opposed to your normal hardshell) get damaged?

I WILL be calling Southwest... BUT I also read around here that no matter what the phone people say, it has no bearing on what the people at the airport do. I have also read that people do get to take their basses on, and have them put with the strollers, but I also have the current carryon policy from the SW website. (Pasted below)

Thanks for the input

[Flight Time]

I have flown on SWA twice. Both times I have checked my bass. Both times, I have had no problems with its handling. TSA did look in my bass case though which is probably standard procedure. They left a card saying that the case had been inspected.

[rfclef]

I think I am gonna take my good bass and a cheapo down to Portland Music tomorrow and check and see if they fit in the flight case. I would really love to take my Birdsong, but I got a feeling i am gonna wimp out and take a cheapo and check it and see how it goes... If I were actually gonna be gigging, I might take the Birdsong, but this'll be a "dry run"... If disaster strikes, it'll be a cheapo that goes down...