A good friend has done it and said it was actually very easy.  Declared the pistol at the check-in counter.  Locked in case with ammo separate.  The airline reviewed his CCW (legal in the state from which he was departing and recognized by the state to which he was going), and said have a nice day.

I will be traveling to FLA this fall (specifically, Miami), and would feel alot better about having the good ol' .45 with me.

Anyone done this and care to share their thoughts?

I've done it several times, including in very anti-gun states.
I used to fly Philadelphia to Boston all the time with a Glock (or two) and ammo, no problems. I'd tell them at the counter, they say "OK, sign this declaration that it's unloaded", then the declaration goes in the locked carrier.
They never checked my MA LTC (at either end) which is required to even touch a handgun in MA and they never checked the gun to see that it was unloaded. I would get off at Logan, go to a bathroom in the non-secure area, load up/holster, and be on my way.

This was all Pre-9/11. I don't think I've flown with a gun since then, I do a lot more driving these days.

You can transport any firearm as long as you declare it at the checkin counter. In other words, you can put it in your check in baggage.
(Although there is a possibility an airline might not like it...read the company's policy)

just dont try to carry it onboard the plane [BD]