My route is MSP - CLT and is flow using E175 and CRJ900s.

The CRJ900 does not allow rollerbags other than overnighter rollerbags, the small kind with enough room for a laptop and a change of clothes. All rollebags are gatechecked by the GAs.

The difference in boarding expedience is obvious between the two airplanes as passengers can only bring personal items and smaller soft bags on board.

In a CRJ900 there is no real need to board early and claim OH bin space. Whatever you bring onboard will fit under the seat in front of you.

The current system with fees for luggage checked is forcing many passengeres to bring their luggage on board to skip the fee. That transaltes into the "stressful and contentious" boarding process we see today because the demand for OH space is higher.

The airline is simply saying that ALL luggage must pay a fee. It is the passenger's choice to check it in or carry it on board.