Perhaps I'm just being naive here, regarding all of these packaging quest=
ions.
Can't you just place a huge "fragile - =A0handle with care" sticker on
Over here (at least), the phrase 'Fragile Scientfic Instrument' seems to
be postage-company-speak for 'This parcel is to be used for playing
(American) football' :-(
the box, and even pay some extra $$ for it? That way
all the people
along its shipping path will just pay more attention to it, instead
just throwing it in the back of the truck.
You _are_ kidding, right?
-tony