Elliot's disturbing "statistic" is only this: "According to Russell Robison, the executive director of Injury Prevention Works, an Erie, Pennsylvania, industry-lobbying group, 12 passengers are hurt by falling overhead luggage every day in the United States alone."

I can't find anything to confirm this claim from this sole -- and likely biased -- source.

But even if that claim is correct, consider that according to the FAA, about 1,800,000 people fly in the U.S. everyday. So 12 injuries out of 1,800,000 is a very small number. For comparison, consider that on average, 93 people DIE each day in auto accidents. Yes, many, many more people ride in autos in the U.S. every day -- but no one trying to limit auto usage in the name of safety.