Originally Posted by
USPhilly
To the OP, why not put the briefcase under the seat in front of you for taxi, takeoff and landing then just pull it out and place it against your seat so you can stretch your legs out? I'm not as tall as you but that's what I do and it seems to work pretty well.
That's what I do too. I sit by the window and frequently get things out of my backpack so it's easier to keep it by me than to climb over people.