This summer I purchased a hardcase for bicycles, one of Supergo's on sale, for a trip to a family vacation home that I previously drove to before moving across the country. The instructions on packing the case that came with it were pretty crappy, so I had my LBS help show me what to do and that went pretty smoothly. I flew on American, which says if you have a bike case that is 50 pounds or less and fits in their specified dimensions, it can go in place of one regular piece of luggage, otherwise its $80 charge. by packing my pedals and saddle in my baggage, my case weighed in at 47.5 lbs. Flying out of Santa Barbara, the airline clerk at checkin seemed very familiar with how to deal with bike cases and I had no problem whatsoever. The airline clerks in Albany NY, were a different story and I ended up having to pay the $80 fee, because the guy refused to look up the airline's policy on checking bikes. I later submitted a complaint to AA and shortly thereafter received a refund for that charge. So all in all it was fairly easy and worth it for me. I didn't have time to be without my bike, which a weeks notice on either end for shipping would require, but I also didn't have to deal with the misfortune of lost luggage, something that probably could have happened. I can't give you much advice either way, other than if you need it for a race I would probably ship it in plenty of time for it to arrive safely, or travel with it early enough for it to get lost and found again.

I've only flown never shipped. I didn't have any problems flying. This year I am using TriBikeTransport for a race. I have heard good things about them and really like the idea of not having to take my bike apart.