ddavis;
ABM had some good advice in double gun case. I fly with my shooter every year and I always use a big double case and fill it full of gear. I can usually get most of my hunting gear ( binocs,knives,etc) in there as well as some of my clothes. The clothes help to give your gun a little extra padding. Only problem I've found is that you cannot have any ammo in your luggage. I shoot premium factory loads so I've never had trouble stocking up at the destination. If you shoot handloads, you may have to make some arrangements for getting your ammo there. As far as checking the gun in, it's a piece of cake. They'll give you a tag to sign declaring that there is no ammo in the case and off it goes.