Originally Posted by
swag
Exactly. Most of the first couple of dozen posts here called it "public" or "first come, first served", but that suggests there's nothing wrong with putting multiple bags up, or using space in the front when sitting in the back. Whether or not this violates airline rules, it certainly violates courtesy.
I wouldn't ever remove someone else's bag, but I would re-orient a poorly stowed bag (e.g. to wheels first) if that meant I'd have room for my own, making sure they both fit and the door still closes.
While I advocate using space near your seat, so others don't have to stow bags way aft of their seat, specific spots are unassigned.
On most narrow-body planes, there is not enough space for even one rollerboard per person. Typically, there are 2 bins (6 wheels-first bags) for 3 rows of 3 seats (9 pax).
I wouldn't move someone's bag myself either. But people should not use first come first served to hog space. The principle of first come first served does not override courtesy. commonsense and rules of decency, as well as carry-on baggage rules.
Originally Posted by
Fornebufox
So what about the FA who, without a word, moved my purse from the bin over my bulkhead seat to the bin across the aisle and forward (to fit a wheelie in the space)? I protested, which got me nowhere with him. Folks around me thought he was out of line...
FAs can do that in order to ensure more efficient use of overhead space.
FAs responses are very inconsistent. SOme FAs, when approached for assistance in turning/moving around some baggage to accommodate yours think of it as an imposition and would rather have the passenger(s) do it themselves, while some would insist that passengers don't touch another person's baggage. I have come across both kind.
Another issue is what if your only carry on luggage were your purse plus another smaller item, and you were not seated in a bulkhead seat when there was a shortage of overhead space. Are you expected to move your purse to the under-seat space to accommodate some one else's excess cabin baggage?