Transporting instruments

[galonia]

Hi,

This is not about moving pianos, but smaller, yet still biggish musical instruments.

Has anyone taken an instrument on a plane such as a cello?  I am needing to move a guzheng, which is even bigger than a cello - perhaps almost as big as a double bass.  What do you do?  Do you check it in, or do you take it onto the plane with you?  What sort of extra charges do you pay to the airline?

I know someone who took a baritone saxophone on a trip - it was checked-in, but it came back with some damage.  I cannot imagine how a wooden instrument would fare!