As Todd indicated eariler, Alaska once allowed my "big 62 x 6 inch plus" tube to be hung (npi) in a closet in the back of the plane; the trick/requirement was to be able to have an appartus to hang it vertically; they would not just put it in the closet and lean it to the side; it had to have an actual hanging device to make it vertical. Thank god for zip ties and duck tape! That being said that was pre-911 and since they have only accepted it as one of my two allowable check-in bags.

Beezer

Beezer