Originally Posted by
Blackberry
My sister is flying back to Racine Wisconsin and she is taking a 301A sewing machine with her. She will be flying on Southwest Airlines. Does anyone have any experience flying with a sewing machine. In other words, will the airlines let you put the sewing machine in the overhead compartments? Is there a problem with checking it thru the scanner? If you have to check it, is insurance available for purchase in case they damage it while loading it with other bags? Should it be marked with a fragile sign in case she has to check it? Would stuffing clothing in and around it protect it enough if it has to be checked. It will be traveling in a soft sided machine case? Lots of questions but we are looking for some help.
If the machine is in a case that qualifies size-wise as a "carry-on" there will be no problem. If it's a portable 301A (I have one), it will be okay. I put my Innovis in a carry-on bag and took it on Southwest from Vegas to Seattle and back. Had no problem with the airline - however, the TSA had to open the bag and swab it for explosive residue. Putting it in the overhead was only a problem for me because of the weight. The 301A is light enough that it should be easy to handle.