Alright, so you can tell I'm not a professional road warrior - please bear with what must be a silly question for most of you.

I have to go to New York in a few weeks for a professional board exam, and I was planning to bring my suit in a garment bag. Since I don't usually travel with formal clothes, I wanted to confirm that this was OK and called USAirways' call center. They advised that "it needs to be under 45 inches, length plus width plus height, when folded." Sensing my surprise, she confirmed that yes, it would have to be folded. D'oh! This is on a little regional jet (CRJ) and she stated that there's simply no closet anywhere on the airplane.

Alright, seasoned business travelers who wouldn't dream of leaving home without a suit - what do you do in this situation? Try to get on last so that your suit can at least be on top of the giant carryon in the luggage compartment, instead of under it? Or just check it in a hard-sided suitcase? Or is there some better way?

Thanks in advance!