Originally Posted by
Prospero
The flight attendant was correct. Furthermore, the space beneath the row 1 seats actually belongs to the occupants seated in row 2, so the crew actually did you a favour saving your bag from being crushed by a pair hobnail boots
This is 100% the case. The area below your seat is not your storage space. If I am seated in row 2 and you had put your stuff at my feet I will be asking for it to be moved so I can store my own items. Why should I lose storage space because you don't want to put your bag overhead?