What is the best way to travel on a plane with your machine? And can you take it on the plane?

First -- I've never traveled with a sewing machine. But, I think it would be considered a carry-on. So you would have to check your luggage. I'd consider leaving the needle in your checked baggage. I would NEVER put my machine in the baggage claim. TOOOOOO rough on luggage...it would destroy the machine! I've watched the way they toss our luggage around.......oooooo [shiver] scary to think about!

I agree with amandasgramma. I've never traveled with a sewing machine but if I ever do it will be a carry on. Even if I have to pay to check my luggage it would be worth it to make sure my machine survives the trip.

P.S. The machine would have to be small so I'd take my FW.

IŽd buy a cheap one at destiny.

Then how would you get it home?

You could send Bonnie Hunter an email, asking her. Actually, I think she's addressed this on her blog somewhere.

As a former "ramp agent", aka person on the ground who actually loads planes, I would NOT check my machine. I'd carry it on.

I've taken my machine on a plane. I had it in a nice traveling machine bag on wheels. It was my carry-on and it fit in the overhead compartment. The security people did a bit of a double-take when they saw it go through the xray machine, but they didn't make me take it out. I did not have any scissors or needles in the case (even took the needle out of the machine).

If you bought a brand new one there, it should come with packing so you could just mail/ship it back. If you got a used one, just donate it to a local charity.

I suppose you could also buy one just for travel and keep the packing so you could ship it ahead then ship it home. Might be just as cheap as checking your bags each way.

Flying, where a Featherweight pays for itself! Not so bad to carry and lift into an overhead bin. Might fit under seat in a softy bag. Might even qualify for the "personal" carry-on, like a purse or computer or briefcase. Then you could have your carry-on luggage, AND your Featherweight!