I only use glass for soda. Generally it isn't a problem.
Do they explode? YES. But generally it takes a few weeks to get it up to that amount of pressure. I get away with glass because I make small batches, check it often while it's carbing up and use it up within a week or so.
I also have switched from the bottles with metal caps, to EZ cap bottles, I can let the pressure off easily and recap it without breaking out the capper. Much like you would with plastic.
I've only ever had a few explode, and that was because they got left out of the fridge for a couple weeks or in the fridge without pressure release for a couple months.