Originally Posted by zkzkz

Because they are.

Your obsession with other people being told off for small items is misguided as is the whole tagging system. The only bags that limit overhead bin space are the large rollers. Everything else can generally be stuffed on top of them or in the small crevices between them. They don't reduce the number of larger bags that can be put up in the bin.

The only thing that would really make any difference is cracking down on bags put up sideways. If it doesn't fit in wheels first it should come out and be gate checked (assuming there's actually a problem with limited bag space. I've never actually seen this be a real issue)

The other thing that would make life nicer for passengers is pulling out bags that people put up over a row far from their seat. People who walk on and toss their bag up in the first free bin and then walk to the back of the plane make life miserable for people who get on later. That causes real delays while people search for a remaining open spot somewhere in the back of the plane and then cause delays again when people are deboarding.

I wonder if there's something wrong with the way T5 gate check operations work. Generally at other airports gate checking only takes a second. All they do is lower the bags down the elevator at the airbridge and pop them in the hold before closing the doors. On smaller planes nearly everything needs to be gate checked and it doesn't cause any delays. What's broken about BA's system that it causes them such heartburn?