Preventing damage...

[dneal]

...from the baggage handlers. Here’s a technique

[Rockysdad]

Not sure I'd like to carry that through an airport though

[619TF]

Originally Posted by dneal

...from the baggage handlers. Here’s a technique

An oldie but a goodie (I think I've seen that pic right here at the AGF at least twice before).

In fact you are legally allowed to bring a guitar (or other instrument) on board and avoid handlers entirely provided:

1. There's room for it at the time you board (so board early)
2. It fits in the overhead or, if they're nice, the crew closet. This is getting trickier as some of the newer planes have bins that are simply too small to fit a regular sized guitar.