I bought this case a few years back, seems similar to WineCruzer, and have flown it internationally without issue. Have not used the Wine Check, so I can’t comment on it’s effectiveness.
http://www.travelwithwine.com/wine_carriers/travelwithwine_cases/tww_va_excursion.html
That is one serious case you have there.
I usually only take three bottles, so the standard styrofoam/cardboard container works fine . . . I just stick it inside the luggage.
When we came back from Italy this spring, we put four bottles in one suitcase and five in the other. We packed them in clothes and put them in trash bags. All bottles made it fine. We have done this a number of times from Europe and cross country. When we came back from Walla Walla in October we put a case and a half on the plane in regular shippers and all bottles made it fine. I would like to get a wine check to make it easier though, maybe on Bezerkers day 2014.
I have both the wine Check and the 8 bottle WineCruzer and both are great. Wine Check has clear weight advantage, and the Cruzer is somewhat smaller, which is an advantage if you are driving around and need to minimize space (not that it’s small)
I just use a cardboard shipper with inserts. Disposable once you are done with it.
If I am only taking a few bottles I use something called Travelon Wine Case (Amazon.com)… Great alternative for checking inside a regular bag - also is a nice wine bag once you arrive at your destination. Triple packed and in thick leak proof zip lock type bag there is almost no chance of a leak let alone breakage … Well worth the cost. If I am taking 6 or fewer bottles and a couple checked bags, I go this route.
+1 for wine cruzer. I love my 8 bottle pro version for air travel. The thing is a tank. Cannot believe anyone has had breakage as Andy mentions.
+1
I use this case when traveling with high end wines and recently purchased another foam sleeve that holds 2 magnums and 4 each 750s. It’s very heavy duty! When doing quick trips I use wine check; great bag and it holds 12.
While the wine luggage is great when I’m hauling wine both directions, I have to admit I ship a case of wine to my annual golf outing on the East Coast because I don’t want to try to cram the folded Wine Check into my suitcase, nor pay for the extra bag each way. But on the other hand, it’s the Wine Check for trips to Hawaii. Need the extra bag for everything we can’t live without, (Macadamia nuts, new shirts & shorts, Kona coffee and tubs of carmel Macadamia nut popcorn).
I remember taking an empty shipper with me to California (before I bought my Wine Check, maybe before Todd was born). I go to check the empty in on this end. She asks, what’s in the box (esp. since it weighed almost nothing). I said “styrofoam”. She looked at me funny, so I said “It’s been in my family for years.” (which may have been true).
Get a pelican case with the pick and pack foam liner - then pick it out to make a six pack. Cheaper than the things with "wine’ in the name and absurdly sturdy.
Yup - I can certainly recall the funny looks about “why are you checking a bag that has no weight?”
The key to any system when traveling in the US is that it has to be supremely easy to repack or else TSA will screw it up. I was sending a bunch of wine to an NYC tasting years ago – using the “lay flat” Styrofoam system and one of the cases was delivered without the top piece of foam. TSA had unloaded the box to examine what was in it, and as they repacked it I guess they turned around one layer of foam and when they got to the top, the last piece wouldn’t fit in the box. So they just threw it away, shut the cardboard box and sent it on. To the airline’s credit, all of the bottles arrived in one piece, but it was a shock to open the box and see three bottles of '82 Mouton with no layer of foam on top!
As a matter of fact, I use a Pelican case these days - my kids call it “the Wine Bunker” – seems about right. I’ve got space for eight bottles in mine.
I use horizontal styrofoam shippers in a canvas bag. It weighs exactly 50 lbs with 15 bottles. Have used this going to Europe several times without problems.
When I go to Europe, I take a full case of wine in my Wine Check, and usually 3 more bottles in a 3 pack styrofoam in my luggage. Since I usually only bring back a few bottles, I use the 3 pack for the wine… and I toss the stryofoam from the Wine Check, so then it folds up and goes into my luggage. Saves the hassle of checking that extra item on the way home.
The proper answer is “my grandmother’s ashes.” You won’t get any more questions after that 
My though also. Initially, I put on “Fragile” stickers but no longer do so as I believe it invites those disgruntled baggage handlers to see if they can break the contents. Early on, Styrofoam was getting smashed (stickers on) but no longer without labeling.
Same thing. I was flying to Porto, through Germany, and my extra shipper box was empty going over. I was told by the ticket person to put it on the weight machine and it was all of about 2 pounds. She looked at it, then at me, with that “whats going on” look. I laughed and said I needed it coming back. She thought that was funny and said she couldn’t charge me an extra baggage fee for something that weighted almost nothing. Saved me $50.00 