Originally Posted by
ozstamps
Yes this is overlooked by many.
I arrived this morning on a UA 747 from LAX-SYD and I do recall there was a weight rating printed for that overhead .. I seem to recall it was 70lbs or thereabout for the entire bin?
Now Matthew LAX above, and others here all seem happy 'their' 30 lb++ bag should be allowed, but if that dropped on the passenger's head underneath in turbulence it literally could kill them. No question whatever about it.
I have had a 22 inch carry on dropped on my head during boarding; I can only imagine how much worse it would be during turbulence or during landing.
I have watched LH be extremely strict, weighing American standard size carry on at check in and at the gate, and refusing to allow it on board. I have seen AC force passengers to use the sizers and refuse to allow them past until they check a bag. My intraEurope flights tend to turn very quickly, usually due to the lack of carry on. Often they fly with all seats full and bins still quite roomy.
A few weeks ago at ORD I watched the LH staff for two flights pull numerous passengers out of the boarding line and weigh their carry on. Most were 'standard' American sizing and needless to say the owners were upset when they were denied taking them on board, but they were beyond the LH regulation standard.
I won't insist that everyone fly as I do, but personally I cannot bear taking a 20 or 22 inch rollaboard and do so only once or twice a year. My usual carry on is my Titan laptop case and my Longchamp flight bag or other model. Both easily fit into the weight and size limit and can fit under the seat in front of me. And I still manage to take my 'stuff' with me. But I understand that what is my choice is not the desire of others, and until the airlines in America forbid the larger/heavier carry on, I cannot dictate or demand that others do as I do.