The situation soured from there, her attorney says, resulting in what is becoming another black eye for an airline industry that dragged a bleeding man off a flight and allegedly booted a family from a flight over a birthday cake.
Correia, a classical violinist on her way to play in the summer season at the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, asked for an airport supervisor. But the supervisor said there were no other options. The violin had to be checked.
Her attorney, Phil MacNaughton, recounted what happened next: Correia told the supervisor, "I can't not take my violin on board. I'll pay the money. I'll take another flight. Just tell me what I can do."
As the altercation intensified, Correia told the agents that she would appeal to their bosses and asked the supervisor for her name, MacNaughton said. The supervisor said she wanted Correia's name and reached for the tag on her luggage.
"Without provocation, the supervisor for the Chicago-based carrier then lunged for Ms Correia's case and, incredibly, tried to wrestle it away from the musician," said MacNaughton.
"I start screaming, 'Help, help, help, can somebody record what's happening because this lady's trying to take my personal suitcase from me'," Correia told Houston NBC-affiliate KPRC.
The supervisor said she was going to call security, and Correia apparently responded, "Please do." Then the supervisor dashed off. That was the last Correia saw of her.
During the scuffle, MacNaughton said, Correia's hand was injured. She doesn't believe there is permanent damage, but she went to see a hand specialist "because the stakes are high."
United Airlines didn't offer an account of what happened.
Spokesman Charles Hobart emailed the Washington Post: "We're disappointed anytime a customer has an experience that does not live up to his or her expectation. We are reaching out to Ms. Correia to gain a better understanding of what occurred and to offer assistance."
MacNaughton said someone from United left a voice mail on Correia's phone. He asked that anyone who had a video recording of the confrontation contact him.
"Why can't these people be polite?" MacNaughton said. "I'm sure that's what their CEO is wondering. It's like kind of everybody knows if you're frustrated with a surgeon, you don't grab their hands. This [supervisor] was willing to get in a wrestling match over a violin."
Other recent confrontations involving airlines have stoked outrage: pilots hitting passengers and passengers brawling with each other and police. In late April, a Delta Air Lines passenger said he was kicked off a plane for using the restroom.
Musicians should have it a little easier, in theory. Federal law requires airports to accommodate musicians who want to carry their instruments in the plane's cabin.
MacNaughton said he's not certain whether United officials violated that law.
Either way, Correia was looking to put the tussle behind her and get to Missouri.
She booked a flight for Tuesday on American Airlines instead of United - and carried her violin the whole time.