Originally Posted by
pdpgps
Boarding order shouldn't be relevant here.
How isn't it relevant? If they are last to board, and all space taken, then where would they put their instruments?
If they were first on the plane, perhaps they'd have pick of spots for them. Same as anyone else intending to put a bag in the overhead.
I did see the section on a US employee giving them a note. Yes, that was wrong. But space on the plane is space on the plane--first come, first served. I repeat my earlier question--should US ask someone else to gate check a bag to make space for a late-coming violin?