No experience with carry on, but I would recommend that is the way to go. I just took a band trip (MA-CA), in which our jazz band, chorus, and orchestra went as well (big trip). Key point of the trip....one gibson les paul ($900), snapped headstock, trombone ($2,000), bell completely dented, basically stomped on, and a sax case that was trashed. Hopefully carry on can be used so things like this don't happen. Or else, make sure you have your luggage insured. Either way, you gotta be careful.