any scissors or rotary cutters will have to go in checked baggage. The only thread cutter they will allow is a clover thread cutter. ( At least mine has made it through several times) I hung it aroung my neck with a ribbon) I don't think I would take a big embroidery machine with me. 1) I don't know if it will fit under the seat infront of you 2) stuff gets shuffled around in the overhead compartment. I have traveled with my featherweight on the plane and made it ok. Do what you think is best.Normally I would suggest you ship by fex ex or ups, but I have received 2 machines this way one was damaged and the other was ok. Both were well packaged and marked this side up (It was upside down on my front porch)