I think i’m entitled to my overhead space, and if that’s a canvas tote and a coat, that’s what I’m putting up there. Same amount of space as my roller bag, 1/3 of the overhead bin. Usually the stuff in my canvas bag can’t be checked, like a computer or tablet.
You are correct. Technically he could check it or have it shipped. I should have specified that he would never check an oboe. It is small, even in its temperature and humidity controlled case smaller than a briefcase.
It is unfortunately not uncommon for instruments to be damaged when checked, even when packed in shipping crates over their hard cases. So many horror stories. Large instrument cases are sometimes opened for inspection out of view of the musician and then not re packed in the correct way.
This is why musicians do everything they can to keep their instruments with them. Of course within the constraints of under the seat or in the overhead bin. Or they purchase an extra seat for their instrument to “sit” next to them.
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Don’t shoot the messenger 
thats the term used for them
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@abasket - I think the term is for people pushing/shoving, going into the wrong boarding group or cutting the line.
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I’ve seen flight attendants put instruments in the airplane “coat closet” (for lack of a better word). When my husband and I broke bones, one time they had us put the walker and crutches in the closet, and one time in the overhead!
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Yes - it’s still gross!! 
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Sure, some FA’s do what they can to make everyone as comfortable as possible by going above and beyond, to close teh door on time. But one can’t depend on it. (And I certainly wouldn’t with an expensive instrument.)
Last month I was on a UA flight where they were cracking down and following the rules – no exceptions. A young man in FC, who was a Global flyer – auto pre board, and FC upgrade. He had a rollabord, small backpack and suit bag, going to a wedding. UA aate agent stopped him during his pre board and politiely told him he’d have to consolidate to two. Then after he boarded, he put his rollaboard in the overhead and hung his suit bag on the coast hooks behind the last row of FC. FA said, ‘no, sorry, have to put it under your seat’. He asked if she could put in in the airplane ‘coat closet’, and the answer was, ‘No, sorry’. Again, this is one of UA’s top frequent flyers.
FC was not even full, and the FA would have known that. But strict adherence to rules are being enforced that day.
If you are in economy class, and the aircraft does not have the new Space Bins or Airspace XL bins, then there is likely only enough space for 2/3 as many full size carry ons as there are passenger seats.
With airlines charging for checked bags (and sometimes delaying or losing them), it is therefore not a surprise that getting overhead bin space is competitive.
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Probably only for those who don’t fly very often. Frequent flyers have a set routine and the boarding process doesn’t induce any additional anxiety.
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I wonder if this was an overzealous FA. Although I found United to be stricter in their policies than American or Delta.
When I fly it’s usually on tiny planes from a small regional airport. American and Delta let me gate check my carry on roller where United was strict on checking the bag or trying to squeeze all the roller bags into overhead bin space.
For me, I love the gate check. I don’t have to hoist my bag, my gate checked bag comes right off and is available almost as soon as I can get off the plane. United wouldn’t even let me carry on the Garrett’s popcorn I bought at ORD. I had to stuff it in my backpack! Travesty! 
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United was very accommodating to my DIL who boarded carrying her wedding dress- they very happily hung it up for her. I would not have counted on this!
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Probably true. I would guess though that the majority of flyers overall don’t fit in the “frequent flyers” category??? Maybe I’m wrong and more of those flyers are flying for work related business.
I am NOT a frequent flyer and yes, it cause me anxiety!
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A lot depends on the equipment that you are flying. Even though I’m a Diamond member on Delta, if I’m flying on a CRJ9000 or an Embraer 170, the bins fill up quickly so I will queue up.
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Frequent flyers also have perks that make the experience less stressful. Loosing even the lowest level perks I had when traveling for work is the thing I miss most now that I’m retired.
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On a flight not too long ago I gate checked my roller for this very reason. I was sitting toward the back and could see the bags coming off on arrival, spotting my bag. All good, you’d think. When I got to the carousel the checked bags were all off-loaded, but mine was nowhere to be found.
This was on American. They asked me to see if any of the leftover bags looked like mine. The closest was another navy blue carry on. They called the owner of the other blue bag. Yep, she took mine. Other than being navy blue, they were not even remotely alike. Her’s was very beat up, mine was brand new and had a huge orange tag on it. Luckily, she wasn’t too far from the airport and circled back around for the switch.
After a three hour flight delay, I had to add another hour and a half sorting this out. Not big on the gate check anymore.
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I remember when gate check meant they would have it for you when you exited the plane like they do with strollers. Now that they typically send everything to baggage claim I’m not a huge fan. You can save the cost of checking I suppose.
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One of the reasons we are happy we have chocolate brown suitcases is that the color is pretty distinctive and not too many others have suitcases in the color. We can generally spot our bags pretty easily and haven’t had other folks accidentally take our suitcases. Before this, we had royal blue suitcases, which were also fairly distinctive (brighter than navy). We didn’t get them mixed up either.
I generally can’t check my bag except when going home because I have important medical equipment in my bag. If it’s lost while we are heading home, it’s not as big a deal as I have more equipment at home and can get more as needed, but on the way to any destination, it definitely needs to stay with me or my trip will be spent trying to track down more medical equipment.
Fortunately, I’m allowed to pre-board and always am able to fit my carry on and roller suitcase above our seat. When things are crowded, I keep my backpack under the seat in front of me.
That’s what I was talking about. Like a stroller.
Maybe they don’t do that anymore? I don’t think it was that long ago that I gate checked like that on American.
I know my last domestic flight from a small regional airport was United.
My D purchased a sample wedding dress while visiting us in the US this August, and was flying back home to London that evening. The wedding shop instructed her to call the airline and request the “Captain’s Closet” for her wedding dress. She called and they approved her request.
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Good tip! Never knew one could specifically request “Captain’s Closet,” but I’d guess a wedding gown is as good a reason as any. Maybe people flying with valuable instruments might try that as well.