This policy really burns me. I am ExecPlat with AA and do not understand why they let Chautauqua Airlines dictate this type of policy.

I was flying BMI/ORD yesterday and the FA would not let me put my small rollaboard (9x14x12) in the overhead and my laptop backpack under the seat in front of me. Never mind the fact there were only 20 people on the flight and the overhead was almost completely empty because of their "No Carry on" policy that apparently only applies to the RJ-135, 140, and 145. I guess because it only has overhead on one side.

When I questioned this she went straight to the captain and came back and told me the captain said either the rollaboard goes in with the gate-checked or he will remove me from the flight.

Upon my request the FA showed me the addendum to the flight manual that states this "No Carry On" policy. I could certainly understand a "One Item in the overhead" policy.

What's really frustrating is that if you fly on these same planes flown by AA Connections there is no "One Carry On". I spoke to AA Customer Relations and the person I spoke to said she was not aware of this policy.

I have yet to figure out why the airlines do not realize that the business traveler it what keeps them afloat yet continue to implement ridiculous policies such as this that further alienate us.