You have all given me good information. While I don't have the nerve to appear at the gate, when it's too late to shift gears, with a 5-kg carryon AND a purse containing another 4-5 kg of things I don't want to trust to baggage handlers, I just might wear a photographer's vest loaded with small, heavier items such as battery packs. The empty 11-lb tumi carryon will, unfortunately, have to go into one of my checked bags. Not the way I'd prefer to fill my weight allowance, but since I began the trip with conflicting info from DL and GOL, it looks as if there's little choice at this point.

I appreciate all of your experience sharing.