Originally Posted by rybolt

Thanks for the very helpful comments.
I've looked into other carriers. My issue is that I am a photographer and travel with a rolling case that I don't want to gate check. Delta flies MD88's on the DAY-ATL leg and they fit in the overheads. United Express is the other carrier out of DAY and they fly either CRJ700 or Embraers and they don't have the overhead space.
When I worked I traveled extensively and sometimes bought an extra seat for the gear when i had to fly the smaller planes. Now I can't justify doing that so I limit my own choices.
Aer Lingus has some very attractive fares. If I can get over the fact that it's a 5:15am arrival in DUB I might do that and gate check the case on the one leg of the smaller plane.
Thanks again. I do appreciate the advice.