Here are some photos of a Martin D35 that belonged to a member at AGF:
http://s724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/BaylinerCapri/ Enlarge the last 4 photos for a clear view of the whole ugly mess. This was a new or nearly new guitar that was shipped in cold weather. He waited only 4 hours to open it up.
When I bought my D17 from Fungus, in mid December last year we waited to ship it until after Christmas to avoid the risk of damage in the holiday shipping chaos. We lucked out with the weather, as when it shipped temperatures between here and PA were barely freezing. I still waited 36 hours to unpack the guitar, 12 hrs. in the package, the duration in the unopened case. Better safe than sorry.
The temperature in the cargo hold of an airplane can easily plummet below zero any time of year. This was told to me by my brother in law, ex-USAF, and 30 years with an airline.
We take our guitars out in sub zero weather up here. The drill goes like this: Warm the car up. Warm it up
good, as in drive it around for 10-15 min., or whatever it takes. With the car idling go in and get your axe, in its case, wrapped in an old blanket or something. Step briskly to your vehicle and put guitar inside. Put guitar on the seat, not on the cold floor. Drive directly to your destination. Upon arrival, take guitar indoors at once. Don't park half a mile away and walk, risk a parking ticket for a few moments if need be. Don't screw around, don't b.s. yourself, and all will be well. Some folks like to wait 15 min., crack the case open a quarter inch and wait another 15. I know people who have guitars 50 or more years old and only have minor finish checks, if any. Professionals who gig a lot usually can't or don't do these things and have cracks in their finish.
The bottom line is: WINTER SUCKS! :roll: