I don't know where the original poster found here

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...trictions.html

got his information, but if his numbers are correct, I'm not too worried about the overhead bins failing.

" ...anywhere from 140 to 180 pounds per bin, and typically you can squeeze two, and on a few exceptions three rollaboard cases up there, still within the load capacity if we go by the 40 lb limit. If Boeing or Airbus are anything like the rigging industry that I frequently work with, these bins would typically be designed with a safety factor of anywhere from 6:1 to 10:1, in other words if the bin is "rated" for 100 pounds, it technically can handle anywhere from 600 to 1000 pounds." (bolding mine)