So, here's what ended up happening . . .

When I arrived at the gate for the domestic flight, the GA was calling for vols. I inquired, and told her that I was in row 1 (on a B753) and would need bin space. At boarding, she told me to board, and she would come and get me if she needed me. (I had a bad feeling that, that would be too complicated at the last minute) - but, I did.

When boarding seemed to end, I walked back to the boarding door, and asked a GA what the volunteer situation was. She said it was all finished! I told her that the other GA said she'd get me. She said - Are you going to Paris? It would have been too complicated to take your bag off the plane. I told her I didn't care about the bag. Oh well. It was too late.

I flew to hub #2.

My flight to CDG was overbooked. GA offering $400 for an overnight! Wow! I told her that I vol'd online, and I thought that seemed low for an overnight and arriving a day late in Europe. She said it could go higher. I told her I had heard of $1200 & $1400 VDBs. She said they were only authorized to go to $1000 "at this station" (ATL). After that, it would be IDB.

No takers at $400. Five minutes later . . .

$600 announcement. - - NO takers.

$800 announcement - - NO takers, but a few inquiries.

$1000 announcement - - NO serious takers, at first.

After some research, and a couple of no-shows, I think they took 5 or 6 VDBs at $1000. Yay!

They DID, INDEED have to pull my bag and retag if for today's flight.

To FlyerCO - - My function in Berlin is on Thursday, so, I really couldn't change my flights to stay a day in Paris, but I did have her put me on a later flight to Berlin, so I can at least run into Paris VERY briefly (after a trip to the AF long haul arrivals lounge) to go to a couple of stores I like.

My lesson: On the B753 - I wasn't thinking. Since you turn left when you board, bin / bag space wouldn't have been as hard to get as I was thinking. I should have just stayed at the gate . . . But, I did OK - at $1000 + $30 in meals + a very nice room at the airport Marriott! I have another overnight in Paris next month. I can live til then!