[MQAAord]

If it's at all possible, try to find a hard case for it. Call a guitar shop, try Craigslist, something.

I would not recommend gate checking a soft-side case. There may be closet space available, but there may not be. It's not something you can really count on being available to you, as bags can only be 1 layer deep on the floor (stacking not allowed) and they fill up QUICK. Sometimes the only place crews have to put their bags is the closet floor, or the closet may be the wheelchair stowage location and a pax wheelchair surpasses any other luggage for "rights" to that stowage location.

Since you're going to be going somewhere for an extended time, can you ship it to your location? Send it UPS or FedEx the day before you leave, it'll arrive a day or two after you get there. Pack it up real good with bubble wrap in a box. Your chances of it being damaged are diminished if it travels cargo well-packed like that. Don't know where you'd get a box that big, but there are places that specialize in odd-shaped boxes......

If it was me, and I really wanted it there, I'd ship it. Sad to say, but I'd totally send it UPS or FedEx.