Originally Posted by scnzzz

In your case, I would suggest (depending on your class of travel and aircraft type) considering purchasing a second seat for the instrument if you are able and avoid this entire hypothetical. I think those with larger instruments (violas, guitars, etc.) of value commonly do so.

For instance, if you get held up in traffic, are one of the last to board, and there's no overhead space for your instrument - what would you do?

Even if you are able to board on time, are you comfortable putting a half a million dollar instrument into an overhead bin with others shoving and pushing heavy rollaboards in there? I would fear damage were I in your shoes.

Now, if you are in J or F on a widebody you're probably okay, since the cabin crew will usually help you out...but given that AA has limited closet space on narrowbodies, even if you are in J/F on one of those, you may be out of luck.

But if you are unable to do so, I suggest (a) checking your rollaboard and (b) making sure you have lots of buffer time at the gate, just in case.

If you lack elite status (I cannot tell from your post), and are in Y, then selecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft maximizes your chance of finding overhead space at or near your seat, so you can keep an eye on things.