Originally Posted by
wetrat0
OP, you should look into buying MCE. AA aircraft now have certain bins reserved for MCE. Although this is not policed by the FAs, MCE also allows you to board before regular coach, so you would have a chance to put your items in the reserved bins.
OP already discussed this (but using a nonstandard term for MCE):
Originally Posted by
nittfan
I know that AA currently has bins marked for those who purchased "AAdvantage Extra" seating and are therefore also given a higher boarding group #.