Last summer I was heading back from SLC to ORD and was seated in 1st. class on an MD-90. The overhead space in first is at a premium, so I made sure I boarded early as not to have to check bags. When I boarded the 1st. class bins were already 75% full. I was sitting in 4A and the space above my row was full on both sides. I found a small space above 1A where I put one (1) bag. The other went under my seat.

The guy sitting in 1A boards the flight minutes before they shut the boarding door and sees that the overhead space is gone. He taked my suitcase and throws it on the floow and puts HIS bag in its place.

I politely and calmly got up and told the PAX that was my bag and that I wanted it put back where I had placed it. He jumped out of his seat and starting screaming at me that he was a DL PM MM and that any space above 1A is reserved for him. When I tried to placed my bag back in its spot he charged me and pushed me against the bulkhead wall.

Not wantring to end up on any "no fly list" I gained my composure and refrained from hitting him. The FA put my bag in the closet and he was able to sit back down, sip his red wine and enjoy the rest of his flight.

I guess he was IMPORTANT too!