Some of my drums have bags ( some never see shows though ) But I've always been a neat,tidy,and meticulous packer. So I make sure stands are on floor or in trunk, drums are stacked neatly with towels between so they don't clank into each other. Always have my cymbals in a bag, and just bring out what I need for said show and leave the remained in a hard case at home. I've seen some guys toss their drums around, other guys take excessive care ( little too far in some cases ) ( what I mean by that is they have 5 minutes to take down for the next band, and they feel the need to take 15 minutes because everything needs to be done before going off stage for fear of damage )

I think to each his own, and it's like everything. My car is always neat and clean. Nothing on the floor, no crap strewn about. I have friends who you get in and it's a shuffle to get your feet on the floor because there is so much trash. People see their things in different ways. To some " It's just a drum set " to us, they are a whole lot more.

My car is just a car, so I use my garage for the drums. All are in Protection Racket bags. Cymbals also travel in a bag (a really nice Paiste one) and there are several other lesser bags for those that are staying home.

If I had a van, I'd probably have a case for hardware, but it's too much of a hassle to lift such a thing into the trunk of a Corolla. Too bad, because I have a superb Yamaha rolling bag for the one gig a year when someone else moves my gear. So stands go in the trunk with as much care as I can muster.

I'll get off a stage quickly when the situation warrants it. Otherwise I like to take my time. It assures that everything is done correctly and it's also relaxing. Conversely, I give myself plenty of time before a gig for a stress-free set-up. In a perfect world, the drums are set up with enough time left for a relaxing meal. I hate arriving at the last minute and having to squeeze my stuff between the amps and then having to play immediately.

Al

Up until the 90's I used gig bags always for gigs and then I switched to hard cases. My drums don't leave the house unless they are in hard cases and cymbals in a cymbal bag. Stands and snare were in a roll-away hard case. Everything protected. Anything else is kinda irresponsible, but then hey, it's their money.

John

in the 80's with a beater pearl kit with oil heads shotgun style i put them in my van trying to be neat but the pies always kept nestled.

I use those Protection Racket bags too, I reckon they're brilliant. For my traps I use the soft case for one of those pull-up banners you see in banks and stuff. I try and keep things lightweight as well. I've been lugging the bloody things around for 30 odd years and have decided no more heavy stuff! So, small(ish) kit (12/14/20"), lightweight hardware and soft cases!

I went to a jam once and spoke to the drummer as he was packing up. He literally tossed his DW double braced stands about six feet into a trap case as we were talking. I tried to play it cool because I know everybody's different about such things, but I was slack-jaw-horrified inside.

I put my drums in vinyl bags, hard cases are too much for my car and overkill for playing small venues. I do have a nice cymbal bag and my lightweight cymbal and snare stands go into a small suitcase, the kind with the handle and wheels. I'm usally the only one handling my equipment and I take care that nothing gets damaged. With that being said, I'm going to start using my "Frankenstein" kit for gigging, no bags, just going to put them neatly in the car and go. I don't have much in them and none are collectable, so I'm not so worried about a scratch or a potential drunken patron doing what they do.

I'm a soft case(protection racket) fan if I'M moving my drums about. Light, pliable and kind to the back seat. Easy to stuff into a corner to hide them during the gig etc.

I've never understood HARDCASE. To me they're not only heavy and bulky, each case uses the drum for stacking integrity. Useless for the back of the band van. I guess it's so the cases flat pack as much as possible when empty. Might as well use soft cases.

Otherwise if I'm away its proper flight cases. Expensive but worth it if you can. I have 2. One is upright like a wardrobe with bespoke shelving for each drum to sit in, and the other is a traps case.

I'll have to try a find some pictures.

I use both Skb hard cases and warwick soft cases, they both have a purpose. Depending on driving distance and venues.