You can try calling, e-mailing or writing AirTran customer service about the "over-sized" baggage and the attitude of the agents involved, but you'll probably just receive a canned response without admitting blame or refunding the fees.
What I would suggest is going to Samsonite's website (or any website that sells a Samsonite identical to yours - luggage.com comes to mind) and printing off the dimensions listed for the model of your bag. Laminate the printout or put it in one of those plastic sleeves and keep it in the outside pocket of your bag. If the need arises, simply show the agent the printout with the dimensions highlighted. If that doesn't prove your case I don't know what will.
I know this didn't happen in your case, but I have seen recent TV news reports about the inaccuracy of airport scales used to weigh baggage. One of the local stations here in Phoenix followed an inspector with the weights and measures bureau and many airport scales were out of whack. Some were even embargoed and couldn't be used by the airline until repaired and re-inspected. If the issue of an overweight bag ever arises, politely ask that they remove your bag, zero out the scale, and re-weigh it. If you still dispute the result, have them use another scale. Since the airlines have discovered that charging fees is a great way to add to the bottom line we as consumers need to ensure that the devices and methods used for determining those fees are accurate!
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