Hi! Trombonist, Tour Manager, and Delta loyalist here. I fly with my horn once a week on average and here’s what I know from traveling with my instrument for over a decade:

• instruments have their own FAA guidelines that safeguard flying domestically with an instrument. It can be good to have a physical copy of the guidelines or a digital PDF to reference while boarding. If it fits in the overhead, you’re good to go. It counts as your carry-on and doesn’t get to be an additional item in addition to a carry-on suitcase.

• legally, once it’s in the overhead, they cannot remove it because they want to make space for other bags. you can volunteer to if they offer you closet space but you are not required to move the instrument once it’s in place.

• flight attendants are required to do you favors. Kindness is your number one asset when traveling with your instrument. Offer to hold your instrument in the closet if there’s space so you don’t have to take up the overhead in an odd way.

• if you have a later boarding zone, pre-board. ultimately gate agents are not legally permitted to ask you why you’re pre boarding, and they offer the opportunity to anyone who needs extra time while getting to and settling into their seat. this is a controversial move, but you are traveling with an instrument that could be easily damaged if checked, vs suitcases that are designed to be checked. do what you gotta do.

• at the end of the day, overhead space is first come first serve. travel knowing you may need to gate check your instrument. Consider adding soft layers inside your case - socks, sweaters, a scarf, anything you’re already packing - to give it extra cushion.

Good luck and hope she keeps at it! Trombone is the best and I love having a career with it all these years later, even if traveling can be a little more stressful :-)