I am wondering is it possible to be able to take a desktop computer on a flight and what things would you do to prevent the rough handling you often hear about if anyone has experience with this would be great..

Cheers

have done it before.
Take it in the box your case came in, get foam + bubble wrap. make sure everything si screwed in nicely.

all gooooood.

who are you flying with?

Pay for insurance, do it, do not ******* skimp out on that.

Pack it with proper packing foam, not a blanket or something, in its original box if possible,
Pack the inside of the pc with foam, but not too tight, should be easy if you have decent cable management, this'll stop the components moving around inside the case if it does get a little rough.

Haven't actually booked any flights yet but I'm going to England so possibly Qantas or Singapore as I'm going there for an extended period decided its somthing I can't live without and rather not wait a month to ship it

You can do it, i dont try the baggage ****s, they throw shit around like its theres, ide just carry it , but thats MY opinion, if you do give it to them, do what the above peeps said ^

might want to put a GPS on it / in it encase it gets lost or STOLEN... hey bob haha

I think b0b has enough salt in the wound mate.

get a laptop if you want to travel will be much easier