diff --git a/apps/app_chanspy.c b/apps/app_chanspy.c
index 4e241b96f649192049e004556bfa85d9682c22ab..0f40e319369ed1a1bbd46a50e7225629d9b5fd89 100644
--- a/apps/app_chanspy.c
+++ b/apps/app_chanspy.c
@@ -637,12 +637,14 @@ static int channel_spy(struct ast_channel *chan, struct ast_autochan *spyee_auto
 	}
 
 	if (ast_test_flag(flags, OPTION_BARGE | OPTION_DTMF_SWITCH_MODES)) {
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, ast_channel_bridge_peer(spyee_autochan->chan), ast_channel_cleanup);
+
 		/* And this hook lets us inject audio into the channel that the spied on
 		   channel is currently bridged with.
 		*/
 		ast_audiohook_init(&csth.bridge_whisper_audiohook, AST_AUDIOHOOK_TYPE_WHISPER, "Chanspy", 0);
 
-		if ((spyee_bridge_autochan = ast_autochan_setup(ast_bridged_channel(spyee_autochan->chan)))) {
+		if ((spyee_bridge_autochan = ast_autochan_setup(bridged))) {
 			ast_channel_lock(spyee_bridge_autochan->chan);
 			if (start_spying(spyee_bridge_autochan, spyer_name, &csth.bridge_whisper_audiohook)) {
 				ast_log(LOG_WARNING, "Unable to attach barge audiohook on spyee %s. Barge mode disabled!\n", name);
@@ -935,7 +937,7 @@ static int common_exec(struct ast_channel *chan, struct ast_flags *flags,
 				break;
 			}
 
-			if (ast_test_flag(flags, OPTION_BRIDGED) && !ast_bridged_channel(autochan->chan)) {
+			if (ast_test_flag(flags, OPTION_BRIDGED) && !ast_channel_is_bridged(autochan->chan)) {
 				continue;
 			}
 
diff --git a/channels/chan_dahdi.c b/channels/chan_dahdi.c
index 15726e110a85afdf2f448e17fa71527268983d80..8ce700c2f059c1831ad1cadb5bed97e891b3dfe7 100644
--- a/channels/chan_dahdi.c
+++ b/channels/chan_dahdi.c
@@ -1742,7 +1742,7 @@ static void my_get_and_handle_alarms(void *pvt)
 
 static void *my_get_sigpvt_bridged_channel(struct ast_channel *chan)
 {
-	struct ast_channel *bridged = ast_bridged_channel(chan);
+	RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, ast_channel_bridge_peer(chan), ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 	if (bridged && ast_channel_tech(bridged) == &dahdi_tech) {
 		struct dahdi_pvt *p = ast_channel_tech_pvt(bridged);
@@ -9737,12 +9737,15 @@ static void *analog_ss_thread(void *data)
 				struct ast_channel *nbridge =
 					p->subs[SUB_THREEWAY].owner;
 				struct dahdi_pvt *pbridge = NULL;
+				RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, nbridge ? ast_channel_bridge_peer(nbridge) : NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
+
 				/* set up the private struct of the bridged one, if any */
-				if (nbridge && ast_bridged_channel(nbridge))
-					pbridge = ast_channel_tech_pvt(ast_bridged_channel(nbridge));
+				if (nbridge && bridged) {
+					pbridge = ast_channel_tech_pvt(bridged);
+				}
 				if (nbridge && pbridge &&
 					(ast_channel_tech(nbridge) == &dahdi_tech) &&
-					(ast_channel_tech(ast_bridged_channel(nbridge)) == &dahdi_tech) &&
+					(ast_channel_tech(bridged) == &dahdi_tech) &&
 					ISTRUNK(pbridge)) {
 					int func = DAHDI_FLASH;
 					/* Clear out the dial buffer */
diff --git a/channels/chan_iax2.c b/channels/chan_iax2.c
index 1ae5505e3b921ca05d1ac3fe9932f31fdc0fcd6b..faad641bb7e2ff416c220b0dfa1232a2981bf42f 100644
--- a/channels/chan_iax2.c
+++ b/channels/chan_iax2.c
@@ -4049,7 +4049,7 @@ static int schedule_delivery(struct iax_frame *fr, int updatehistory, int fromtr
 	int ret;
 	int needfree = 0;
 	struct ast_channel *owner = NULL;
-	struct ast_channel *bridge = NULL;
+	RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridge, NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 	/*
 	 * Clear fr->af.data if there is no data in the buffer.  Things
@@ -4096,8 +4096,9 @@ static int schedule_delivery(struct iax_frame *fr, int updatehistory, int fromtr
 		iax2_frame_free(fr);
 		return -1;
 	}
-	if ((owner = iaxs[fr->callno]->owner))
-		bridge = ast_bridged_channel(owner);
+	if ((owner = iaxs[fr->callno]->owner)) {
+		bridge = ast_channel_bridge_peer(owner);
+	}
 
 	/* if the user hasn't requested we force the use of the jitterbuffer, and we're bridged to
 	 * a channel that can accept jitter, then flush and suspend the jb, and send this frame straight through */
diff --git a/channels/chan_mgcp.c b/channels/chan_mgcp.c
index b9906464621bd53a5c88ac31697c0e859658d53f..07d8434cb23e02bbc6e7e9e9947b2cbd2742d945 100644
--- a/channels/chan_mgcp.c
+++ b/channels/chan_mgcp.c
@@ -922,7 +922,6 @@ static int mgcp_hangup(struct ast_channel *ast)
 {
 	struct mgcp_subchannel *sub = ast_channel_tech_pvt(ast);
 	struct mgcp_endpoint *p = sub->parent;
-	struct ast_channel *bridged;
 
 	ast_debug(1, "mgcp_hangup(%s)\n", ast_channel_name(ast));
 	if (!ast_channel_tech_pvt(ast)) {
@@ -969,10 +968,11 @@ static int mgcp_hangup(struct ast_channel *ast)
 	}
 	sub->cxident[0] = '\0';
 	if ((sub == p->sub) && sub->next->owner) {
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, ast_channel_bridge_peer(sub->next->owner), ast_channel_cleanup);
+
 		if (p->hookstate == MGCP_OFFHOOK) {
-			if (sub->next->owner && ast_bridged_channel(sub->next->owner)) {
+			if (sub->next->owner && bridged) {
 				/* ncs fix! */
-				bridged = ast_bridged_channel(sub->next->owner);
 				transmit_notify_request_with_callerid(p->sub, (p->ncs ? "L/wt1" : "L/wt"),
 					S_COR(ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.number.valid, ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.number.str, ""),
 					S_COR(ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.name.valid, ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.name.str, ""));
@@ -982,8 +982,7 @@ static int mgcp_hangup(struct ast_channel *ast)
 			p->sub = sub->next;
 			p->sub->cxmode = MGCP_CX_RECVONLY;
 			transmit_modify_request(p->sub);
-			if (sub->next->owner && ast_bridged_channel(sub->next->owner)) {
-				bridged = ast_bridged_channel(sub->next->owner);
+			if (sub->next->owner && bridged) {
 				transmit_notify_request_with_callerid(p->sub, "L/rg",
 					S_COR(ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.number.valid, ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.number.str, ""),
 					S_COR(ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.name.valid, ast_channel_caller(bridged)->id.name.str, ""));
diff --git a/channels/chan_misdn.c b/channels/chan_misdn.c
index 34a134eb4f631f63852f6c5d62acc23f65efbb8f..8eaf19600db1b499d0d82490fa36f7e78cf94ed3 100644
--- a/channels/chan_misdn.c
+++ b/channels/chan_misdn.c
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ ASTERISK_FILE_VERSION(__FILE__, "$Revision$")
 #include "asterisk/format_cap.h"
 #include "asterisk/features_config.h"
 #include "asterisk/bridge.h"
+#include "asterisk/pickup.h"
 
 #include "chan_misdn_config.h"
 #include "isdn_lib.h"
@@ -3442,6 +3443,7 @@ static void misdn_add_number_prefix(int port, enum mISDN_NUMBER_TYPE number_type
 
 static void export_aoc_vars(int originator, struct ast_channel *ast, struct misdn_bchannel *bc)
 {
+	RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, chan, NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
 	char buf[128];
 
 	if (!bc->AOCD_need_export || !ast) {
@@ -3449,46 +3451,48 @@ static void export_aoc_vars(int originator, struct ast_channel *ast, struct misd
 	}
 
 	if (originator == ORG_AST) {
-		ast = ast_bridged_channel(ast);
-		if (!ast) {
+		chan = ast_channel_bridge_peer(ast);
+		if (!chan) {
 			return;
 		}
+	} else {
+		chan = ast_channel_ref(ast);
 	}
 
 	switch (bc->AOCDtype) {
 	case Fac_AOCDCurrency:
-		pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_Type", "currency");
+		pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_Type", "currency");
 		if (bc->AOCD.currency.chargeNotAvailable) {
-			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "no");
+			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "no");
 		} else {
-			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "yes");
+			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "yes");
 			if (bc->AOCD.currency.freeOfCharge) {
-				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "yes");
+				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "yes");
 			} else {
-				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "no");
+				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "no");
 				if (snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%d %s", bc->AOCD.currency.currencyAmount * bc->AOCD.currency.multiplier, bc->AOCD.currency.currency) < sizeof(buf)) {
-					pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_Amount", buf);
+					pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_Amount", buf);
 					if (bc->AOCD.currency.billingId >= 0 && snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%d", bc->AOCD.currency.billingId) < sizeof(buf)) {
-						pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_BillingId", buf);
+						pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_BillingId", buf);
 					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
 		break;
 	case Fac_AOCDChargingUnit:
-		pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_Type", "charging_unit");
+		pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_Type", "charging_unit");
 		if (bc->AOCD.chargingUnit.chargeNotAvailable) {
-			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "no");
+			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "no");
 		} else {
-			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "yes");
+			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_ChargeAvailable", "yes");
 			if (bc->AOCD.chargingUnit.freeOfCharge) {
-				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "yes");
+				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "yes");
 			} else {
-				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "no");
+				pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_FreeOfCharge", "no");
 				if (snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%d", bc->AOCD.chargingUnit.recordedUnits) < sizeof(buf)) {
-					pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_RecordedUnits", buf);
+					pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_RecordedUnits", buf);
 					if (bc->AOCD.chargingUnit.billingId >= 0 && snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%d", bc->AOCD.chargingUnit.billingId) < sizeof(buf)) {
-						pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(ast, "AOCD_BillingId", buf);
+						pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "AOCD_BillingId", buf);
 					}
 				}
 			}
@@ -10943,7 +10947,7 @@ cb_events(enum event_e event, struct misdn_bchannel *bc, void *user_data)
 	case EVENT_HOLD:
 	{
 		int hold_allowed;
-		struct ast_channel *bridged;
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 		misdn_cfg_get(bc->port, MISDN_CFG_HOLD_ALLOWED, &hold_allowed, sizeof(hold_allowed));
 		if (!hold_allowed) {
@@ -10952,7 +10956,7 @@ cb_events(enum event_e event, struct misdn_bchannel *bc, void *user_data)
 			break;
 		}
 
-		bridged = ast_bridged_channel(ch->ast);
+		bridged = ast_channel_bridge_peer(ch->ast);
 		if (bridged) {
 			chan_misdn_log(2, bc->port, "Bridge Partner is of type: %s\n", ast_channel_tech(bridged)->type);
 			ch->l3id = bc->l3_id;
diff --git a/channels/chan_oss.c b/channels/chan_oss.c
index 2545138b148248f5d1da176033ee50fa123fd574..f8e67e59e800a1180842a899596882781936b40d 100644
--- a/channels/chan_oss.c
+++ b/channels/chan_oss.c
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ ASTERISK_FILE_VERSION(__FILE__, "$Revision$")
 #include "asterisk/causes.h"
 #include "asterisk/musiconhold.h"
 #include "asterisk/app.h"
+#include "asterisk/bridge.h"
 
 #include "console_video.h"
 
@@ -1173,7 +1174,7 @@ static char *console_mute(struct ast_cli_entry *e, int cmd, struct ast_cli_args
 static char *console_transfer(struct ast_cli_entry *e, int cmd, struct ast_cli_args *a)
 {
 	struct chan_oss_pvt *o = find_desc(oss_active);
-	struct ast_channel *b = NULL;
+	RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, b, NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
 	char *tmp, *ext, *ctx;
 
 	switch (cmd) {
@@ -1192,24 +1193,19 @@ static char *console_transfer(struct ast_cli_entry *e, int cmd, struct ast_cli_a
 		return CLI_SHOWUSAGE;
 	if (o == NULL)
 		return CLI_FAILURE;
-	if (o->owner == NULL || (b = ast_bridged_channel(o->owner)) == NULL) {
+	if (o->owner == NULL || !ast_channel_is_bridged(o->owner)) {
 		ast_cli(a->fd, "There is no call to transfer\n");
 		return CLI_SUCCESS;
 	}
 
 	tmp = ast_ext_ctx(a->argv[2], &ext, &ctx);
-	if (ctx == NULL)			/* supply default context if needed */
+	if (ctx == NULL) {			/* supply default context if needed */
 		ctx = ast_strdupa(ast_channel_context(o->owner));
-	if (!ast_exists_extension(b, ctx, ext, 1,
-		S_COR(ast_channel_caller(b)->id.number.valid, ast_channel_caller(b)->id.number.str, NULL))) {
-		ast_cli(a->fd, "No such extension exists\n");
-	} else {
-		ast_cli(a->fd, "Whee, transferring %s to %s@%s.\n", ast_channel_name(b), ext, ctx);
-		if (ast_async_goto(b, ctx, ext, 1))
-			ast_cli(a->fd, "Failed to transfer :(\n");
 	}
-	if (tmp)
-		ast_free(tmp);
+	if (ast_bridge_transfer_blind(1, o->owner, ext, ctx, NULL, NULL) != AST_BRIDGE_TRANSFER_SUCCESS) {
+		ast_log(LOG_WARNING, "Unable to transfer call from channel %s\n", ast_channel_name(o->owner));
+	}
+	ast_free(tmp);
 	return CLI_SUCCESS;
 }
 
diff --git a/channels/chan_sip.c b/channels/chan_sip.c
index 1b5f104e05e18354bc420e4a7ae029aa8a73c0b2..736c15005c343c3ab82a4669cdb66863487490fb 100644
--- a/channels/chan_sip.c
+++ b/channels/chan_sip.c
@@ -7271,7 +7271,7 @@ static int sip_hangup(struct ast_channel *ast)
 			}
 
 			if (!p->pendinginvite) {
-				struct ast_channel *bridge = ast_bridged_channel(oldowner);
+				RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridge, ast_channel_bridge_peer(oldowner), ast_channel_cleanup);
 				char quality_buf[AST_MAX_USER_FIELD], *quality;
 
 				/* We need to get the lock on bridge because ast_rtp_instance_set_stats_vars will attempt
@@ -7282,7 +7282,6 @@ static int sip_hangup(struct ast_channel *ast)
 					do {
 						CHANNEL_DEADLOCK_AVOIDANCE(oldowner);
 					} while (sip_pvt_trylock(p));
-					bridge = ast_bridged_channel(oldowner);
 				}
 
 				if (p->rtp) {
@@ -18007,10 +18006,22 @@ static int get_refer_info(struct sip_pvt *transferer, struct sip_request *outgoi
 
 	/* Give useful transfer information to the dialplan */
 	if (transferer->owner) {
-		struct ast_channel *peer = ast_bridged_channel(transferer->owner);
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, peer, ast_channel_bridge_peer(transferer->owner), ast_channel_cleanup);
+
+		/*! pbx_builtin_setvar_helper will attempt to lock the channel. We need
+		 * to be sure it's already locked here so we don't deadlock.
+		 */
+		while (peer && ast_channel_trylock(peer)) {
+			sip_pvt_unlock(transferer);
+			do {
+				CHANNEL_DEADLOCK_AVOIDANCE(transferer->owner);
+			} while (sip_pvt_trylock(transferer));
+		}
+
 		if (peer) {
 			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(peer, "SIPREFERRINGCONTEXT", transferer->context);
 			pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(peer, "SIPREFERREDBYHDR", p_referred_by);
+			ast_channel_unlock(peer);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -26354,7 +26365,6 @@ static int handle_request_bye(struct sip_pvt *p, struct sip_request *req)
 {
 	struct ast_channel *c=NULL;
 	int res;
-	struct ast_channel *bridged_to;
 	const char *required;
 
 	/* If we have an INCOMING invite that we haven't answered, terminate that transaction */
@@ -26375,7 +26385,7 @@ static int handle_request_bye(struct sip_pvt *p, struct sip_request *req)
 	/* Get RTCP quality before end of call */
 	if (p->do_history || p->owner) {
 		char quality_buf[AST_MAX_USER_FIELD], *quality;
-		struct ast_channel *bridge = p->owner ? ast_bridged_channel(p->owner) : NULL;
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridge, p->owner ? ast_channel_bridge_peer(p->owner) : NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 		/* We need to get the lock on bridge because ast_rtp_instance_set_stats_vars will attempt
 		 * to lock the bridge. This may get hairy...
@@ -26388,7 +26398,6 @@ static int handle_request_bye(struct sip_pvt *p, struct sip_request *req)
 				usleep(1);
 				sip_pvt_lock(p);
 			} while (p->owner && ast_channel_trylock(p->owner));
-			bridge = p->owner ? ast_bridged_channel(p->owner) : NULL;
 		}
 
 
@@ -26452,7 +26461,7 @@ static int handle_request_bye(struct sip_pvt *p, struct sip_request *req)
 		if (!res) {
 			c = p->owner;
 			if (c) {
-				bridged_to = ast_bridged_channel(c);
+				RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged_to, ast_channel_bridge_peer(c), ast_channel_cleanup);
 				if (bridged_to) {
 					/* Don't actually hangup here... */
 					ast_queue_unhold(c);
diff --git a/channels/chan_skinny.c b/channels/chan_skinny.c
index 1237c7869f32b2a8c2da3964668efc740a6301f5..35da7bf8a52957fea18b50bbb05ecce251f75438 100644
--- a/channels/chan_skinny.c
+++ b/channels/chan_skinny.c
@@ -4357,10 +4357,12 @@ static char *_skinny_show_lines(int fd, int *total, struct mansession *s, const
 				l->label);
 			if (verbose) {
 				AST_LIST_TRAVERSE(&l->sub, sub, list) {
+					RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, ast_channel_bridge_peer(sub->owner), ao2_cleanup);
+
 					ast_cli(fd, "  %s> %s to %s\n",
 						(sub == l->activesub?"Active  ":"Inactive"),
 						ast_channel_name(sub->owner),
-						(ast_bridged_channel(sub->owner)?ast_channel_name(ast_bridged_channel(sub->owner)):"")
+						bridged ? ast_channel_name(bridged) : ""
 					);
 				}
 			}
@@ -7170,6 +7172,8 @@ static int handle_soft_key_event_message(struct skinny_req *req, struct skinnyse
 		}
 
 		if ((sub && sub->owner) && (ast_channel_state(sub->owner) ==  AST_STATE_UP)) {
+			RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridged, NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
+
 			c = sub->owner;
 			ast_channel_lock(c);
 			bridge_channel = ast_channel_get_bridge_channel(c);
diff --git a/funcs/func_channel.c b/funcs/func_channel.c
index 3f2ef5cb633c382eec0e482b4f2e6ceab761256f..ccdbb6e7d373ed4b369e54c58028586d589dc2f2 100644
--- a/funcs/func_channel.c
+++ b/funcs/func_channel.c
@@ -495,10 +495,10 @@ static int func_channel_read(struct ast_channel *chan, const char *function,
 		}
 		ast_channel_unlock(chan);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(data, "peer")) {
-		struct ast_channel *p;
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, p, NULL, ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 		ast_channel_lock(chan);
-		p = ast_bridged_channel(chan);
+		p = ast_channel_bridge_peer(chan);
 		if (p || ast_channel_tech(chan)) /* dummy channel? if so, we hid the peer name in the language */
 			ast_copy_string(buf, (p ? ast_channel_name(p) : ""), len);
 		else {
diff --git a/include/asterisk/channel.h b/include/asterisk/channel.h
index 282230a02d07e8f8176d2637870c481b7840bef3..cc60debfdb77bddad0f5d9da84156acb20711d48 100644
--- a/include/asterisk/channel.h
+++ b/include/asterisk/channel.h
@@ -2329,26 +2329,6 @@ int ast_transfer(struct ast_channel *chan, char *dest);
  */
 void ast_do_masquerade(struct ast_channel *chan);
 
-/*!
- * \brief Find bridged channel
- *
- * \note This function does _not_ return a reference to the bridged channel.
- * The reason for this is mostly historical.  It _should_ return a reference,
- * but it will take a lot of work to make the code base account for that.
- * So, for now, the old rules still apply for how to handle this function.
- * If this function is being used from the channel thread that owns the channel,
- * then a reference is already held, and channel locking is not required to
- * guarantee that the channel will stay around.  If this function is used
- * outside of the associated channel thread, the channel parameter 'chan'
- * MUST be locked before calling this function.  Also, 'chan' must remain locked
- * for the entire time that the result of this function is being used.
- *
- * \param chan Current channel
- *
- * \return A pointer to the bridged channel
-*/
-struct ast_channel *ast_bridged_channel(struct ast_channel *chan);
-
 /*!
  * \brief Inherits channel variable from parent to child channel
  * \param parent Parent channel
diff --git a/main/channel.c b/main/channel.c
index 9c4a0ba7aeff218a451b6bbdf25af345f7e6ef8c..95d0a5dccdf2f8958f174d88e06687b365fab539 100644
--- a/main/channel.c
+++ b/main/channel.c
@@ -2606,16 +2606,12 @@ static void free_translation(struct ast_channel *clonechan)
 
 void ast_set_hangupsource(struct ast_channel *chan, const char *source, int force)
 {
-	struct ast_channel *bridge;
+	RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridge, ast_channel_bridge_peer(chan), ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 	ast_channel_lock(chan);
 	if (force || ast_strlen_zero(ast_channel_hangupsource(chan))) {
 		ast_channel_hangupsource_set(chan, source);
 	}
-	bridge = ast_bridged_channel(chan);
-	if (bridge) {
-		ast_channel_ref(bridge);
-	}
 	ast_channel_unlock(chan);
 
 	if (bridge) {
@@ -2624,7 +2620,6 @@ void ast_set_hangupsource(struct ast_channel *chan, const char *source, int forc
 			ast_channel_hangupsource_set(bridge, source);
 		}
 		ast_channel_unlock(bridge);
-		ast_channel_unref(bridge);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -3942,7 +3937,7 @@ static struct ast_frame *__ast_read(struct ast_channel *chan, int dropaudio)
 					ast_debug(1, "Ignoring answer on an inbound call!\n");
 					ast_frfree(f);
 					f = &ast_null_frame;
-				} else if (prestate == AST_STATE_UP && ast_bridged_channel(chan)) {
+				} else if (prestate == AST_STATE_UP && ast_channel_is_bridged(chan)) {
 					ast_debug(1, "Dropping duplicate answer!\n");
 					ast_frfree(f);
 					f = &ast_null_frame;
@@ -6766,8 +6761,7 @@ void ast_do_masquerade(struct ast_channel *original)
 
 	ast_debug(1, "Done Masquerading %s (%d)\n", ast_channel_name(original), ast_channel_state(original));
 
-	if ((bridged = ast_bridged_channel(original))) {
-		ast_channel_ref(bridged);
+	if ((bridged = ast_channel_bridge_peer(original))) {
 		ast_channel_unlock(original);
 		ast_indicate(bridged, AST_CONTROL_SRCCHANGE);
 		ast_channel_unref(bridged);
@@ -6868,12 +6862,6 @@ int ast_setstate(struct ast_channel *chan, enum ast_channel_state state)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-/*! BUGBUG ast_bridged_channel() is to be removed. */
-struct ast_channel *ast_bridged_channel(struct ast_channel *chan)
-{
-	return NULL;
-}
-
 /*! \brief Bridge two channels together (early) */
 int ast_channel_early_bridge(struct ast_channel *c0, struct ast_channel *c1)
 {
diff --git a/main/channel_internal_api.c b/main/channel_internal_api.c
index 35bcb187dd4fa8069876552dca30166f02d9c4af..698783707a9dcf79d58c3dbbc8b1a362742d99a8 100644
--- a/main/channel_internal_api.c
+++ b/main/channel_internal_api.c
@@ -67,10 +67,6 @@ struct ast_channel {
 	void *music_state;				/*!< Music State*/
 	void *generatordata;				/*!< Current generator data if there is any */
 	struct ast_generator *generator;		/*!< Current active data generator */
-/* BUGBUG bridged_channel must be eliminated from ast_channel */
-	struct ast_channel * bridged_channel;			/*!< Who are we bridged to, if we're bridged.
-							 *   Who is proxying for us, if we are proxied (i.e. chan_agent).
-							 *   Do not access directly, use ast_bridged_channel(chan) */
 	struct ast_channel *masq;			/*!< Channel that will masquerade as us */
 	struct ast_channel *masqr;			/*!< Who we are masquerading as */
 	const char *blockproc;				/*!< Procedure causing blocking */
@@ -290,7 +286,6 @@ static void channel_data_add_flags(struct ast_data *tree,
 int ast_channel_data_add_structure(struct ast_data *tree,
 	struct ast_channel *chan, int add_bridged)
 {
-	struct ast_channel *bc;
 	struct ast_data *data_bridged;
 	struct ast_data *data_cdr;
 	struct ast_data *data_flags;
@@ -309,7 +304,7 @@ int ast_channel_data_add_structure(struct ast_data *tree,
 	ast_data_add_structure(ast_channel, tree, chan);
 
 	if (add_bridged) {
-		bc = ast_bridged_channel(chan);
+		RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bc, ast_channel_bridge_peer(chan), ast_channel_cleanup);
 		if (bc) {
 			data_bridged = ast_data_add_node(tree, "bridged");
 			if (!data_bridged) {
@@ -1304,15 +1299,6 @@ void ast_channel_internal_bridge_channel_set(struct ast_channel *chan, struct as
 	chan->bridge_channel = value;
 }
 
-struct ast_channel *ast_channel_internal_bridged_channel(const struct ast_channel *chan)
-{
-	return chan->bridged_channel;
-}
-void ast_channel_internal_bridged_channel_set(struct ast_channel *chan, struct ast_channel *value)
-{
-	chan->bridged_channel = value;
-}
-
 struct ast_flags *ast_channel_flags(struct ast_channel *chan)
 {
 	return &chan->flags;
diff --git a/main/rtp_engine.c b/main/rtp_engine.c
index 907cb271a0553c1363f93f8d0e095aa70fb19353..1a5333ebdc58605c1383d9de9f7fc4a6e1b574f1 100644
--- a/main/rtp_engine.c
+++ b/main/rtp_engine.c
@@ -1298,7 +1298,7 @@ char *ast_rtp_instance_get_quality(struct ast_rtp_instance *instance, enum ast_r
 void ast_rtp_instance_set_stats_vars(struct ast_channel *chan, struct ast_rtp_instance *instance)
 {
 	char quality_buf[AST_MAX_USER_FIELD], *quality;
-	struct ast_channel *bridge = ast_bridged_channel(chan);
+	RAII_VAR(struct ast_channel *, bridge, ast_channel_bridge_peer(chan), ast_channel_cleanup);
 
 	if ((quality = ast_rtp_instance_get_quality(instance, AST_RTP_INSTANCE_STAT_FIELD_QUALITY, quality_buf, sizeof(quality_buf)))) {
 		pbx_builtin_setvar_helper(chan, "RTPAUDIOQOS", quality);