Originally Posted by
AppleApe
Aren't those two conflicting answers?
In fact, that's the kind of conflicting answers I've gotten after speaking with three AA agents on the phone.
(1) violin + 21" carry-on, not allowed, because both are counted as carry-ons
(2) violin + 21" carry-on, allowed, because violin is a personal item and the 21" carry is carry-on
Actually, the third agent(who took position 1) suggested that it was up to the airport agent and flight attendants because they have the discretion.
Under no circumstance can I check a $450,000 violin.... so I guess I'll have to check the 21" carry-on.
The violin case is just a standard one-violin case measuring appx 29" x 9" x 5" in size.
Well, if you can fit the violin under the seat in front of you, it could indeed be brought on as a "personal item".
XTRASEAT might not be such a bad idea. An FA on an AF Concorde (F-BVFF) told me Mr. Rostropovich always did that for his cello, perhaps twice monthly.