how to take a mattress in your carry on (not really, but almost)

Yes!  We actually managed to carry a queen sized mattress in our checked baggage when we all flew out for the wedding!!  Here's how...

First of all, it was a sleep number bed, which means it can be dis-assembled and packed into several boxes; the cover (2 pieces), the foam 'baffles', the 'air chambers' and the pump.  Since there were 7 of us flying, and most of us were not staying for more than a few days, we were able to do most of our 'needed' packing into our carry-ons, so that our checked bags could be for Annie's things.  So, a total of 14 boxes (well, maybe 11, we did need a FEW suitcases that didn't have to be lugged through the airport!).  And honestly, the mattress parts were bulky, but not heavy, so they worked well, when most of the stuff Annie wanted brought out was books, and or fragile stuff.  We packed it all up and miraculously, it all fit in exactly the number of boxes we had available for her stuff!! 

When we got there, Lon and Wade (Josh's Dad) built a platform for it, and assembled it, after Annie and Josh left on the honeymoon, so when they returned the had effectively 'inherited' the queen sized bed that survived the tornado!  (we had moved up to a King, thinking kids would end up in bed with us whenever there was a storm.  All we have ever ended up having in bed with us has been a bunch of CATS!)