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[renji]

Yes, I'd pay the $15.

[tee_bee]

Geez. $15 whole U.S. dollars? Things must be really bad! How many of us buy our own office supplies, home internet access, professional dues, etc? $15 to transport a poster is chump change. If the research is grant funded, the postage is chargable to the grant. If the travel is on grant money, the extra bag charge should be charged. Science isn't just hard, it's also expensive, sometimes.

One of the best "how to be a junior faculty member" books I ever read--title of which I have forgotten--said it's sometimes important to spend one's own money. Some folks actually pay out of pocket to go to conferences (which may be a norm at some schools for the next few years). 

Bottom line: do whatever it takes to reduce your stress and worry. The cost is a very small fraction of the total cost of the trip, of the research, etc.

[sundog]

To all of you who have successfully carried a rolled up poster onto a plane: How long was it when rolled up? Do you think 4 ft would be too long to try to get on board?

[abitatd]

My posters are usually 4' (h) x 6' (w). I will roll my posters up and put them into a poster tube - which measures 3" wide x 37.25" long. Often, you can buy relatively cheap cardboard poster tubes from the post office or office supply stores and/or University bookstores. I got my tube from Ultrecht (art-supply store) online for less than than the seemingly magical 15 dollars.

If laminated, I do make sure to remove it the night before and lay it down to flatten it out (which is done anytime I travel overseas to protect it from damage).

[sundog]

My posters are usually 4' (h) x 6' (w). I will roll my posters up and put them into a poster tube - which measures 3" wide x 37.25" long.

Wait, how do you fit a 4' X 6' poster into a tube that's only just over 3'?

[abitatd]

Oops... sorry about that mistake. The 4' x 6' posters go into an adjustable length tube that will expand in length upto 54 (4.5' in 6" increments). I have 3' x 6' posters that go into the 3" x 37.25" tube.

[science_expat]

I've carried many a 4 x 6 foot poster on planes and have checked them as well. Am always worried about the latter option due to the possibility of the tube being lost or crushed.

My annual conference now has a facility that you upload your poster online and they print it for $75. Doesn't work too well if you want to bring it back, however, no tube.

In your case, I'd pay to check it going out and post it back. Oh, and tape up the tube well - they tend to pull apart and/or have the end caps come off.

[johnstevenson]

I would mail it as well.

[inthelab]

To all of you who have successfully carried a rolled up poster onto a plane: How long was it when rolled up? Do you think 4 ft would be too long to try to get on board?

Sundog, I bought a luggage-thing to carry my poster in.
http://www.duall.com/store/product/115878.115898/tube-storage-carrying.html
My actual one is a little fancier and was more money than this one.

I am going to bring my poster as carry-on item, with my overstuffed briefcase serving as my 1 personal item.  My empty purse will go into the lone checked bag.  My briefcase will be overstuffed with purse items, iPod + headphones, travel info, and sundry other necessary items.  Labspouse has graciously volunteered to schlep food for both of us on the flight.  We might have to break down and buy drinks on board.  We're leaving Monday.  Will report back when we return.