Originally Posted by
aztimm
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?
Yes they should. A violin is a very expensive, quite fragile heat/humidity sensitive item. Most carry-on luggage isn't. A violin cannot safely be checked in. Most carry-on luggage can be checked in, but isn't, as the owner considers it inconvenient (or doesn't want to pay extra for the service).
In this case the airline should (after stopping lying to the customer about FAA-regulations) get some of the other passengers to gate check their (less fragile) carry-ons, free of charge, of course.