Getting a bike to the airport

I've probably said this before somewhere on here, but in my experience of flying with a bike you've two options;

1. do as little as possible to package it, i.e. on of those CTC bags and no more, or
   
2. get a hard shell case, dismantle the bike and add as much protection as you can.
   
   

I've done both and, touch wood, have yet to have any problems.