did your little Sister feel left behind? LOL

Actually, Bonnie's experience was with a carryon that they made her gate-check at the last minute because the plane was full. Just another risk if you plan to carry it on - on smaller planes, or really full ones, if they think the bins are going to be too full they will force you to gate check your carryon.

I took my Kenmore as a carryon to Texas (from Canada) one year. It worked, but I don't know that I'd do it again. And on a couple of flights I did have to gate check it.

Would never check a machine as they throw bag around. Would wait until arrival at your sisters and purchase a small machine and then ship it home when you leave.

I'm with the folks suggesting you buy a used machine there, or have one shipped separately. I've read too many horror stories (including Bonnie Hunter's) about bringing a machine on a plane to feel good about it. If you do bring one...make sure it's not one you're terribly attached to.

Isn't it a shame that we can't trust our luggage anymore? I like the suggestion of buying a used machine to keep at your sister's house or buying a small one and shipping it there and back home. Better yet, get your sister interested in making quilts and she will buy one that you can use when you are there. Have fun and I hope everything works out for you.

I'm with scrapinmema, I would purchase a cheapy at a box store when I was there. Since you will be gone the entire summer, you will more than get enough use out of it.

Possibly you could purchase one and leave at your sister's for the time's you house sit. Just store it in the back of a closet. You could buy a quilting/sewing kit to use and leave at her house. Something that would take up little space.

I took a small janome to my DIL last Feb. I carried it on the plane knowing that it would fit under the seat if the overhead bins were full. You always have the space under the seat in front of you but otherwise I would caution because of Bonnie's experience.

I gave my Singer 301to my DSD and she carried it onto the plane when she flew home to Kansas. She packed it into a rolling bag and padded it well with clothes. She had no trouble from the airline.

I've carried on a featherweight, and a 1970's kenmore on the plane, well padded... I was fortunate that I did not have to gate check either of them... The kenmore was just September 2013, so I doubt you'll have problems... But I would not bring your expensive machine...