@JoshFossgreen Hey, Josh! That’s what we used to do . . . pile all our equipment into a van and to to the gig, so all I’ve ever known or used have been hardshell cases. I had both a J and a P bass and they came with hardshell cases. My current guitar came in a cardboard box! LOL
I guess I’m showing my age 
But there’s SO much stuff out there that is “new” to me (like clip-on tuners, which are fantastic). I guess what I was trying to ask in my OP was if there were any significant advantages to one over the other. I just can’t see how a soft bag could protect as well as a nice sturdy hardshell, but you gave me some food for thought from your perspective (clunkier, harder to fit in your car, etc.), which I appreciate. 
For myself, when and/or if I need to move my gear, I need to go DOWN 7 floors, cross the tracks, go into the garage, go UP 5 floors, and then load into the back of my Jeep. God help me when either elevator is out of service!! (and that HAS happened 
)
At the moment, I’m just thinking ahead. I guess I should see these things in person rather than blindly buying them on-line.
Thanks for your response and signing up for your course this weekend, Joe