After reading so many airline shipping horror stories over the past couple of years, I bought the Scicon Evolution and have only used FedX to ship my bike. Anything that involves the TSA you want to try and avoid......I know contacts inside and the entire organization, from their perspective and experience, is ridiculous. So far, I've shipped my bike via FedX 9 times last year and this year, so far without any issues. I don't know if the TSA checks the case but it appears not......everything has been in place when I open it up.....have it shipped directly to hotel. There have been threads in this forum on shipping by FedX through a couple of vendors that provide discounted rates. I get a discount through my company but I have checked these two vendors pricing recently and they both charge about the same (for FedX Ground).......example, around $80 from Philadelphia to Florida and Philadelphia to Milwaukee......and only takes two days. I don't doubt I may have an issue someday but I don't think its totally avoidable......shipping a fragile bike is somewhat risky......especially when you do it several times a year. But based on your experience and so many others in the past.....I think FedX might be the cheaper and less risky way to go. By the way, the Scicon has been great......hardshell......everything tied down.....easy locking......easy carry/transport. Easy packing.....I just remove wheels and loosen basebar. Was hesitant to spend the $750.....but well worth it so far. Hope this helps and glad you had success with your persistence.