What will fit under a seat and what will pass FAA/FAR muster are sometimes two different things. There are over zealous Flight Attendants who insist on checking everything once the overheads fill up...let's just admit that right up front and get it out of the way. Now, having said that...just because a bag will "fit" under the seat does not necessarily mean it is permissable for it to be stowed there.

As a Flight Attendant, one of my predeparture checks is that all baggage is properly stowed...technically we are not supposed to close the forward entry door until this has been done. Anything...anything that will impede a passenger's ability to reach an exit is unacceptable. Often, I will see a bag stowed that fits 2/3 of the way under the seat with just enough sticking out for the passenger to prop their feet on. I will advise them that bag needs to be restowed or checked and often the reply I get is...."Oh, it's not bothering me there...it's fine." ...."With all due respect sir...no it's not."

This demonstrates how different my point of view in assessing the cabin is from that of my passenger. Passengers are focused on their own comfort and convenience...and rightly so! I as a cabin crewmember am focused on keeping everybody safe and myself out of the FAAs crosshairs. See, while that bag may not have been "bothering" passenger and was "almost" under the seat...with the FAA...almost doesn't count.

We understand that peoples' bags...their posessions are personal and important to them. We Flight Attendants have stuff and we travel...we don't like to be separated from our stuff unnecessarily either. Further, while there is a percentage that enjoys picking fights with Customers...they are the minority...I don't want to have to check your bag anymore than you want me to have to check it. Over the years, we get to know the cabins of our planes...especially at SWA since we only have one fleet type. After awhile, we get pretty good at eye-balling a bag and knowing just by looking at it if it will fit under the seat(acceptably) or not.

In the end, most of us aren't on a power trip or just out to ruin your day/trip/life...we are just trying to keep everybody safe, get the aircraft off the gate on-time and avoid a hefty(personal) fine from an FAA cabin inspector.