Isn't it funny? Here is a bunch of seasoned travelers and with all their "seasoning" they still have the same tolerance/entitlement concerns as everybody else and most of them can't even rationalize the problem. Loren's tag proposition was very good, though.

If we do try to rationalize it, I think here is how it looks.

Traveling without luggage is basically not possible, it might almost be an oxymoron. So we have to find ways to transport our luggage efficiently and safely. These should be the two main concerns.

Airlines, out of greed or economic necessity, have decided to charge for checked bags. This does not only break with a good habit, namely checking your bags, but also incites people out of greed or economic necessity not to check their bags. This compounds the problem and not only shifts it.

The second point is convenience. If airlines found a way to transport luggage quicker and safer (no stolen or lost or pilfered or damaged bags), it would be entirely possible to enforce rather strict carry-on regulations as those in Heathrow by BA. For the super hurried business person on a short business trip even the smaller size will usually be sufficient. If not, well, you either have to pack more efficiently or check your bags. If that means you have to take an earlier flight, so be it. It's not like it couldn't be accommodated for the sake of doing business. I here the comments come:"Yes, but I (me myself and I) have this and that situation." I hope you hear the entitlement bell ring.

I would gladly be willing to pay 20-50$ per ticket more if it could be guaranteed that I get my luggage within 15 minutes after reaching the conveyor belt. Say the first bag must be on 15 minutes after the plane is at the gate. In addition there should be a higher insurance on lost and damaged belongings. The contents of many travelers bags are worth often upwards of $5000. A simple rule could be put in place. They lose your bag, they pay you $250 right away so you can get the most necessary things for the next 24 hours. If they don't get your bag to you within that time they pay you $5000 no matter how much your bag is worth. Flat fee.

I am dreaming, of course, airlines won't provide us with a better baggage handling situation so we must deal with the on board luggage.

Now, to do that, again, safely and efficiently would mean several things.

1. The most efficient use of bins is indeed to fit the maximum number of maximum carry-on size bags in there. Thus 45 linear inch items should have priority over personal items and hard cases (stiff frame) over soft cases (pliable duffle and the like).

2. Usually coats can go (and should go) on top of that. Having your coat on the dirty floor is indeed unacceptable.

3. Personal items such as purses and briefcases should be treated as such. This means they are close to you i.e. under your seat, the seat in front of you or by your feet or between your feet (this works quite well).

4. If all bigger items and coats are stowed overhead and there is still some room, personal items can go up there. Priority should be given first to those who do not have any other luggage than this one item (not checked or otherwise). Than to people who do have other pieces of luggage but who checked them. Third priority would be people who have no checked pieces but a rollaboard. Fourth priority would be people who have checked pieces, plus a rollaboard.

You see this is in an order that rewards those who bring less but is still fair overall as everyone's main items will be stowed and you only risk having a personal item by your feet.

I know it is touchy to touch other travelers' stuff particularly in the US where people are overly sensitive and have an even worse sense of entitlement than in Europe. But I have several times played a little overhead bin tetris just announcing briefly something like: Alright, I'm gonna re-arrange this a little bit so everybody's bags fit. I have not yet had a negative reaction to that. Besides, when we are boarding I usually ask the less seasoned or weaker/shorter passengers if I may be of assistance stowing their luggage. Usually this takes care of it.

I only stow my personal messenger bag in the bin if I see there is clearly enough room. I then take out a quart size pouch with Ipod and shades etc to put in the seat pocket. But in general I actually feel better knowing the personal and thus important bag is right with me.