Originally Posted by
Donsyb
in my opinion there is no reason not to use the bin above your seat (assuming it’s empty, as his was).
There is one very good reason: the hat bin above your head is invisible to you in flight, whereas the one opposite you can watch. There are places where the light fingered are at work and so it's better to use the bin over the aisle rather the one above you. Plus it's easier and safer to disembark in that scenario. Overheads are shared space, ultimately, as they are on train, ferries and coaches.