Ok, here's another one.
This isn't directly related to fiddling, per se, but rather to transport of a violin. I'm flying across the country for Christmas- to NY to visit my husband's family, and my mother in law wants me to bring my violin. I'm afraid that if I bring it on the flight, that I'm risking the death of my violin. My brother in law once brought his guitar on a flight, and had it returned to him broken, and the airline wouldn't pay for a replacement (a a good slice of the guitar had been chipped off). Additionally, I have a really crappy case and can't afford to get a better one. If I was able to carry it on, that would be one thing, but if I had to check it, it would be in the freezing cold weather, as we are going to Chicago O'Hare, and then to an airport in NY (I'm not sure which). I'm not happy about going to O'Hare, but I'm really concerned for my violin. Is there anything you can suggest to me? Should I ship it to my in laws instead of bringing it on the flight? Any other advice? TIA.