I see both sides of this issue, but I cannot help commenting on the overwhelming arguement that I truly support:

I agree, overhead space is not for oversized bags...or for that matter, heavy bags that would seriously do damage to a fellow passenger or FA. HOWEVER...I do have some serious reservations about checking my valuables and my notebook computer just happens to be one of those valuables.

If I had to abide by a 4lb rule as Qantas is thinking about instituting, I would boycott their airline! My notebook computer weighs 7 pounds and I bring it on board every flight. I could not imagine having to check my computer through to my destination.

Personally, I have been the victim of several crimes over the past ten years. All of them were committed by ground personnel of a major airline. My bags have been plundered through and I have lost electronic equipment, a brand new suit, expensive shoes and several thousand dollars of my personal belongings.

My compensation was very poor by the offending airlines and to further my humiliation, I was forced to feel like a victim many times over when I had to experience the poor claim process. Furthermore, I received very little in compensation even after saving and recording my receipts.

People, say and believe what you may, but you might change your mind about this issue once you become a victim and lose your expensive clothes or equipment.

Would you want to check a $4500 computer today? Would you do it after you watched the 60 Minutes or ABC 20/20 episodes which have exposed these crimes over and over again?

Like all of you, I have very little tolerance for people who disrupt flights and make it difficult for those of us who consider that cramped Super 80 our second office.

Another fact in this matter is that it is not good to continue to keep saying "no" to your customers. I know that many of you do not really care for AA. Personally, I think they are on the right track. They are reversing the "no" attitude of the industry by giving us some additional leg room and with their new announcement of roomier overhead bins, I am truly impressed with their positive steps of customer service (now if they can only work on the food a little bit).

I apologize for this long letter, but this issue certainly has hit a sensitive spot with me.

I am still packing as lightly as possible, but my computer and electronic equipment is my job and my financial life. I cannot trust my valuable equipment to any stranger, any more. I have learned my lesson and one more very important thing:

If I lost my vehicle to make an income, I could not afford to fly anymore...Remember, we are still spending our hard earned money for a product and a service when we travel, the least the companies could do is treat us like the customers we are. They are in business because of us...Lord help them if the economy turns downward again, they will need us worse than ever! Now is the time to give us the service and the attention that we are paying those big bucks for!

Bob Linderman

P.S. My problems were not with American Airlines...in fact, a few years ago, after my belongings were stolen at ORD, I switched to AA and have been a Platinum since.