In the past I've often thought some of the moans here about cabin baggage have been a bit over the top (yes, really!) but I have to admit that one or two recent flights in the new configuration for A320 have been tricky.

I haven't had a single departure late due to this issue - over the advertised departure time - and frankly there are loads of other things that make for substantial late running, particularly at LHR. One recent flight would have got away sooner (before the advertised time) but for a late kerfuffle getting extra bags into the holds, but that's it so far on my slate of BA flights. I am sure my time will come at some point. T3 and some Gatwick gates have an access and/or staffing issues to contend with too, if they have to do late hold checking.

It has always been worse in Winter with the coats /Xmas shopping/presents situation, also HBO passenger tend to pack more clothes in winter I guess. But it is getting more difficult on certain routes if the aircraft is full or close to full. AMS, EDI, MAN, GVA, ZRH spring to mind.

I've long advocated abandoning the yellow label and simply presented one single green label to every passenger as they pass the boarding gate. Apart from bulkheads/emergency exits that would be a better solution than now and everyone would be keen to put on their tags! To prevent label reuse the colour could change from time to time.

What happens on AA is they combine it with the extended Priority Boarding process. So for starters anyone with one or no bag without status is able to board after the status passengers but before the 2 bag crowd; secondly the crew proactively close full lockers during boarding of busy flights and at the point when all the lockers are shut anyone in the last groups to board who has a bag that cannot go under the seat must gate check their bag, no argument.

I've seen BA try a bit of that at T5, proactive hold checking of the last passengers, plus there are now baggage collection points at T5 at the gate - these are not always used but gate staff can offer the collection process before boarding and thereby keep the flight on time.