don't need to handcarry, when you check it in you can request that it will be given fragile luggage treatment. they will put a 'fragile' tag or sticker on it and do accordingly. but always safer to put it in a harcase when travelling. can u imagine handcarrying a bass hardcase? lol insane man, it will take up an entire seat
the shortest time hiroaki took to reply me was 3 hours. longest probably around 3 days