That's certainly clearer when they had two. Some folks would still have more than one overhead mind you, if they had a coat and purse as well.

It sounds like you have never had someone next to you drop a drink all over your laptop bag under the seat in front! I have, which is why I no longer put my bags there. On my next trip I expect to have a family photo album with me - it will be in the cabin, and whilst it will be wrapped in a plastic bag, it will also be in the overhead just in case the guy next to me drops his red wine. Your violin, presumably insured, is expensive. The family album has no cash value, but is very valuable in other ways. Each person values things differently, doesn't make any one person more right than another.

Agreed.. as much as the instrument is of value (and I'm a musician, hence my name.. a pianist.. and my wife is a pianist and violinist), everyone on board has a right to OH space as much as OP does..

so boarding first, or arranging special transportation for the violin will ensure safe travels.:)

You are not alone, my brother....

The only time a bulkhead pax in front of me put his backpack in my legroom space, I waited a few minutes then took the backpack to an overhead bin in the back of the plane. And I didn't tell him where I put it. I did get lots of smiles of approval from people in my row.

Yes, this.

Why not just get a more secure case with more padding? I'm sure you could find something with a rigid body (I'm thinking aluminum or steel) and lots of nice foam padding would be plenty of protection for an instrument. It probably wouldn't be super cheap, but if the violin is as valuable as you say it is, it would probably be worth the cost.

If there is anything in my foot area I ask whose is it and hand it to them. No need to excuse or apologize yourself. You haven't done anything to anyone.

Agreed.. if the cargo is as valuable as it is, then the carrying case should have extra padding or foam absorption..

I would do as OP did.. ensure that the instrument is extra careful.. but must make sure all passenger belongings are respected.. I would try to do an early boarding and get good appropriate OH space if possible..

I once traveled with M. Rostropovich on the Concorde. One seat for him and one seat for his cello. Although the Concorde was thrilling, seeing M. Rostropovich with his cello made it that much more so. I can understand wanting to protect your violin and am not suggesting you buy an extra seat. Just thought I would share a kind-of-nice memory.

It's a good thought, and definitely a good idea, to have a great case, and I'm lucky to have a very protective one. Unfortunately they are not immune to every collision. To give you an example, one day I was carrying my case on my back as I always do and one of the straps broke somehow. The case went directly backwards and hit the pavement relatively hard. I shakily opened the case when I got inside, and every string had broken, and the soundpost was slightly damaged. It wasn't a big deal, as the cost to replace everything and have the soundpost moved was around $250 but it just goes to show you that these things are REALLY fragile. Also most insurance does not cover putting an instrument in a cargo hold.

I think I've been a little bit prone to exaggeration here, but basically my point is this: Every violinist(or musician that has an instrument that is not big enough to have to buy a seat for, but is big enough to cause some anxiety of getting on the plane) should try their hardest to board early, and if there is a problem, they should be as polite as possible in finding another solution. There almost always is one. It's just in extreme cases, if you see a red-faced person on the verge of tears who is carrying their instrument, cut them some slack :D

Yes.. the problem exists with most musicians..

I've transported my trombone in my highschool years.. and the stuff gets banged around on a bus and on the plane..

I shuddered when I purchased a vintage Hamburg Steinway B and had it restored.. a process that took 2 years.. and had it shipped via a truck from Burnaby BC to Calgary.. I had contracted the best movers in BC, specially deliver just my piano.. with a humidity controlled cabin.. and it had to be on a day where the weather was not below 0 celcius and humid.. Loaded up the insurance, and the whole 9 yards.. Plus I installed a double damp chaser to ensure proper humidity for the piano, so it wouldn't crack in the dry Calgary weather..

God forbid, if I had to board a plane with stradavarius.:eek::cool:

The problem is also people who don't use the underseat space they have.

Flying with instruments is one of the more vexed topics on a music board I frequent. There are many postings on how to carry a violin unobtrusively (backpack cases are recommended). I did have a friend who flew with her fiddle in her lap on a short intra-Europe flight--"you'd cradle a baby in your arms, right? This is my 'baby'."

But I imagine that most musicians playing old Stradivarii get to fly up front, where carryon regs are often a bit more relaxed.

A singer never has this problem. ;)

But why should anyone be forced to use the underseat storage if they have only brought one carryon. Just because a smaller carryon can fit under the seat doesn't mean that it should be forced under the seat because someone else has a 22 inch rollaboard and a supersized personal item.

Obviously, I don't think that people who have two items should be putting them in the overhead bin, but if you only have one item and it's within the carryon regulations, then I don't think you should be forced to put it under the seat just because it happens to fit.

Agreed, FIRST item up top, SECOND (if you have one) under the seat.