You can tell ahead of time...
Look at the designation of the aircraft a little closer. If it's M80 or S80, it's an AA-reconfigured aircraft and there will be room aplenty. If it's M83 or S83, it's still a TWA-configured aircraft and bags will typicall have to run parallel to the centerline.
I find that in the S83 bird, you still have to place my bag parallel to the centerline in F.