I expect that much of this sort of issue could be resolved if over-sized and over-weight bags were dealt with at the gate by the GA's. FA's probably should not be worrying about bag size, etc. If AC had a consistently applied policy and had easy means to deal with carry-on that didn't fit with parameters (e.g., a good gate check system) then some of the problems the FA mentions would be avoided. Further, I expect that management is fairly happy to allow frequent flyers to get away with having too much stuff as it keeps them as customers. When I am flying a lot (which is not this summer!) then the extra 15-30 minutes I save by not having to wait for my checked bag to come down the belt (and why does the Priority tagged bag always seem to come close to the end?) makes life so much easier, and not having to wait to do bag drop, etc., also saves time on the other end.

My point really is don't crap on your customers! I learned this lesson a year or so ago when I started my own business. As it is only me and my partner, we are on the front line dealing with our customers. Some customers ae incredibly unreasonable, but it is easy for us to make the connection between what they pay for our services and our own bottom line. I just suck it up, respond politely, and the little voice in my head reminds me that my company's well being relies on keeping the customer coming back. In the end, I win even if I have to receive a rant or two from an unreasonable person. Perhaps this attitude is harder to understand when there are thousands of employees involved, but the basic premise is the same: your customers allow you to exist as you do.