Ukuleles, fiddles, mandolins and, of course, harmonicas seem to make it through the gauntlet unscathed as carry-ons, although this is not universally true. I've seen a power-hungry counter agent in Seattle force a friend of mine to check a fiddle that's worth about 10 grand.

If my dreadnought guitar in a hard case will fit in the overhead (it will) then a fiddle ought to be able to fit in there no problem (it does). So, armed with the knowledge that Alaska Airlines employees enforce their carry-on policy arbitrarily, I have developed a few techniques for at least increasing your chances of carrying on a banjo, guitar, electric bass, etc.

The best way to bypass this whole problem is to check in via the Web, and don't check any bags. Proceed directly to security.

Nevertheless, with increased restrictions on what you can carry on the plane, this is becoming more and more difficult.

Since you can't take your nail clippers and wire cutters (both essential tools for players of stringed instruments), you pretty much have to check a bag unless you just re-buy accessories at your destination (which also is an option).

So if you have to check a bag, the best way to approach this situation is to never let the agent see your instrument.

Mix your guitar up in the confusion of everyone's piles of carry-ons and checked bags, or leave it with a friend who's not waiting in line with you. Out of sight, out of mind.

If the agents don't see the instrument, they won't start making up policies about why you can't carry it on.

Getting through the security line is no big deal. As long as it's not a Bic lighter or a bottle of root beer, they'll let you through with a damn tuba. But you're not on yet.

The last hurtle is the ticket beeper chick at the gate. You have the advantage at this point because the worst they can make you do is gate-check the instrument, which is much more preferable. They take the instrument from you at the gate and load it into the cargo hold last, so that it comes off first and is in the jet-way when you disembark. Although not ideal because the instrument still goes into someone else's hands, this is still a much better option because it isn't running the gauntlet of several conveyor belts and baggage "handlers."

Using these techniques is not a guarantee that you won't get burned every once in a while. A really nice (expensive) hard-shell case, an inferior quality or half-size instrument, and/or a fatalistic attitude are about the only things you can count on to get you through the travel quagmire with either your instrument or your mind (rarely both) fairly intact.

• Sean Tracey is a local musician with a hot wife, receiving e-mails via crabgrassalaska@gmail.com.