Violin as Carryon?

My 12yo daughter has a violin that was a gift from my brother.  She wants to bring it back to Scotland with us.  (We're currently visiting family in the US.)  I've checked the airline website for baggage information, and the bit about musical instruments is very vague, mentioning only that 'small' instruments qualify as carryon baggage.  Has anyone ever brought a violin into the cabin with them?  I'd prefer not to have to check it, and may just end up boxing it and shipping it if it looks it will be a problem.

Yes I would say yes you can bring it on as carry on delicate item..best thing to do is contact the airline.

On one of my flights to the UK with BA the woman next to me had a violin. Might depend on the airline, of course, but I saw someone take a guitar on once and the flight attendant put it in one of the closets for him.

Anyone remember watching 'Airport', and seeing the episode where the stupid American guy brought a violin case on board and 'jokingly' told airport staff that it was a machine gun inside?!

He was nicked for it and sat there complaining about 'if he was in Chicago, everyone would have laughed cos they would have understood the machine gun/violin case/gangster joke.'

Dick.

on my last BA flight I saw a person checking their guitar.  however, on the same flight I saw someone carrying a guitar on, and the flight attendent putting it in a locker- so i think either are acceptable.

if a person can carry on a guitar- i think a violin would be more than acceptable.

best to call your specific airline though.

Thanks everyone.  The airline website was useless, so I'll give them a call!

I'm late on this but on my flights, we frequently have people bring musical instuments on board. The only time there is a problem is if they are oversized and cannot fit in an overhead bin. Or the time we had a full orchestra on and ran out of room
This will count towards her carryon limit, though, so be aware of that.

Called the airline and they still weren't very clear, but from what I understand a violin is acceptable as carryon.  The did remind me it would count towards her carryon limit.  My only concern is that if it's a really full flight, there might not be room for it in an overhead compartment.  It's not very heavy, but it is an unusual shape.  My folks will be taking us to the airport, so if it turns out to be a problem at checkin my parents will mail it to us later.  She's been without it since November, though, and she's desparate to have it with her. 

I can't say it wouldn't happen, but usually flight crew onboard the aircraft are sympathetic in helping find space for something precious like a violin. It's a lot different situation than someone lugging on a huge bag that should have been checked and expecting us to find room for it.

Thanks atlcollie....we're going to give it a try.  It's all the more precious to her since it was given to her by my brother just before he shipped out to Iraq.  Fingers crossed!!!