This has absolutely become true in recent years: the airline wine shippers aren't as prevalent as they were 10-15 years ago, even in huge wine regions like Napa or Sonoma. One of the Kinko's where we had bought a shipper before said they stopped carrying them shortly after the airlines imposed bag fees: that killed off 75% of the demand for them.

Some wineries will have them onsite in their tasting rooms, but many don't - especially if they do their shipping out of a warehouse in a different location.

We always bring empties with us on wine trips. Sometimes garners a surprised look from a counter agent. Yes, I would like to check these empty boxes. One of these years, we will buy the nice rolling case (a more permanent piece of luggage). Perhaps when our existing supply of airline shippers becomes worn out.

We've used these shippers for probably 10-12 trips. WA, NY, multiple VA, and multiple CA. Never a casualty. We also carry a few sleeves for sparking wine bottles...we put those into our other checked luggage since they don't usually fit in the shipper case.

Yeah it's a hassle, but worth it since we do a lot of our wine trips in the summer. Shipping via UPS would be a long hot ride across the plains from either coast.