Hi,
I recently had an experience at the AA check in desk at Orlando(MCO) regarding a field hockey bag containing goalie equipment. My understanding is that the field hockey equipment bag my be checked in lieu of my baggage allowance. It would not incur an oversize fee if the dimensions were under 62 inches. This bag was 42"L x 20"W x 19"H and only weighed 39lbs. the Woman at the checkout actually got a tape measure out and measured it and assured me it was oversize. I refused to pay showing her the website on my phone explaining the rules for this sports equipment. The supervisor then said to me prove you do not have your regular clothes in the hockey bag. I stuck to my guns telling them to open it up and search it in front of everybody. They backed down a little at that and said they would waive the fee for oversized baggage this time.
Did I overreact? Was I wrong were they right? I have never had problems like this before flying AA with this bag.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated before I fire an email to customer service.

Thanks
Steve