I try to travel as lightly as possible, not because of airline regulations, but because I like the flexibility of not checking baggage and still want the freedom to use all means of public transportation at my destination--even if that means running up three flights of stairs carrying all my stuff. Therefore, I am normally way under the carry-on limit.

There are, however, times when I am heading home with my roll-aboard, my make-up bag and a big old shopping bag full of acquired-along-the-way stuff. In those cases, I expect the airlines to accomodate me, and, joyfully, they always do so.

On my only coach flight in the last two years (there were serious weather problems in ORD, my flight was cancelled and I was lucky to get the last standby seat on the plane) the FAs were kind enough to hang my coat in first, even though I was stuck in coach. I guess it pays to wear a nice looking coat.