Thanks for the replies, especially yours, with positive suggestions, sdsearch. Because I've already taken the outbound flight with my rolling carryon (an ancient tumi that does weigh 11 pounds empty), GOL's policy leaves me with two choices: ditch the tumi or put it inside my checked bag, using up 11 lbs of allowed checked-bag weight.

The frustrating thing here is that DL assured me, before ticketing, that GOL was required to honor the DL limits for both checked and carryon luggage, and I received email from GOL assuring me that they do honor the DL limits on connecting flights. To avoid a situation at check-in, I printed that email. Only last week did I realize that they had not specifically repeated "for checked as well as carryon luggage," so I belatedly began trying to clarify. A DL supervisor named David in Salt Lake City reassured me that GOL would honor the partner carryon policy, and, "if not, then Delta will reimburse you for any extra fees charged." Imagining THAT could ever happen, I won't rely on it. (When I asked him to email that info to me so I could have it in writing, he replied that he "didn't have email capability.")

To your point on the long-term solution of replacing the tumi, I agree, of course. I've been waiting to learn the actual dimension changes rumored for several years, to be made final. Meanwhile, on GOL, I guess I'll fill my checked bag with my rolling carryon and the most dispensable of the electronic equipment, since GOL is not responsible for any of it that might go missing. I will carefully weigh the most important items, to sling over my shoulder, Santa-style, while hoping that Christmas doesn't come early to GOL's baggage handlers on my return flight in mid-December.