i carry my FW on in special carrying bag i bought off internet. It is small enough to fit under the seats. I've never had to gate check it. I carried my Bernina on as well though it did have to go in the overhead and on a puddle jumper got gate checked. Just be sure it is well padded and the machine won't shift in the carrying case or something will get broken. I ended up with the area around the spool spindle cracked off when i took it in the original red carrying case with inadequate padding and it shifted and hit side of the case. have had the FW swiped for explosives etc. However i've also had my medium format camera swiped. Not every TSA agent knows what these antiques are for LOL