I used to see this a lot, but more recently crew seem to put their bags further back, presumably for this reason (likewise the big pack containing blankets, where present, is usually a few rows back).

I was momentarily annoyed last week when Mr and Mrs 1A and 1C boarding just ahead of me entirely filled the lockers above row 1 (both sides) and some of row 2 with their enormous amounts of hand luggage and hats leaving no space for my small rucksack (I was in 1F). Luggage space is a potential downside of sitting in row 1 I guess.