Ha ha--you're tellin' me, V?
I routinely travel by air with a small backpack expressly reserved for a 'bell (a single 53-pounder by itself in a pack checks in very nicely). For your purposes, a female-friendly size would have no trouble at all!
Boring anecdote, but several months ago while on the way across the country, the folks at the Southwest check-in counter got curious, so I unzipped the bag, gave them a quick run-down of what it was and what it could do for them, and even proceeded to demonstrate a few swings and snatches right there at the front of the queue (much to the incredulity of the tourists, I'm sure).
Heh, even had a few of the luggage handlers recognize it's potential for the kind of labor they do, and kindly asked for me to jot down the website for them! I do love makin' believers out of folks.

