Rude or not? (Denying pax seated aft my backpack bin space)
Jan 12, 2019, 4:04 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: near Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL (OWE), SA LifePlat (*G), BD Gold to the end, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,911
I like a window seat so my backpack goes under the seat for takeoff and is then pulled out and stands either against my seat behind my legs or against the side wall, effectively to the side of and behind my legs, thereby making room for feet under the seat in front.
I’ve done this for years and it allows me easy access to everything I need in flight without unpacking before I sit down or disturbing neighbours when we are up in the air. Also has the advantage that the bag can be repacked easily at the end of the flight.
I’ve done this for years and it allows me easy access to everything I need in flight without unpacking before I sit down or disturbing neighbours when we are up in the air. Also has the advantage that the bag can be repacked easily at the end of the flight.
Jan 12, 2019, 5:40 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
I’m sitting in 12F. Crappy seat in a 320. I was able to SDC so I’m not complaining. I’m in group 2 so I get on early and put my backpack (my only bag) in the bin. Woman in last boarding group comes on with a big roller headed further back. Stops at 12 and asks “who’s backpack is this? Do you mind putting this on the floor in from if you?”
I politely said “sorry, but no”.
What would you have done? I’m 6’1” and need every inch of this coach seat.
I politely said “sorry, but no”.
What would you have done? I’m 6’1” and need every inch of this coach seat.
Jan 12, 2019, 8:07 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 519
I’ve done it a couple times without being asked as I saw a woman struggling and that I knew would be seated next to me. But that’s part of status. Getting on the plane early so you can get overhead space. It’s the only reason I board early.
Jan 12, 2019, 8:37 am
#35
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
I had a similar thing happen to me with a woman on a LUS 321 a few years ago - asked if I could move my backpack, my only carryon item, which was too large to fit under the seat, ten rows back so she could fit her rollaboard. I politely said no, and then she responded very loud and sarcastically, “Thank you for being reasonable!” And I politely said “You’re welcome!” And she went on and on about what a jerk I was and I ignored her.
Jan 12, 2019, 9:33 am
#37
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wonderful Weald of kent
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 989
If she was sitting further back I don’t see why someone rows in front of her should have his comfort compromised for her case.
The size of some of the bags being allowed as “carry on” luggage these days is ridiculous - I’d hazard a guess that if they made it truly “carry on” (ie no wheels) as opposed to “roll on” the bag sizes would get a lot smaller
The size of some of the bags being allowed as “carry on” luggage these days is ridiculous - I’d hazard a guess that if they made it truly “carry on” (ie no wheels) as opposed to “roll on” the bag sizes would get a lot smaller
Jan 12, 2019, 9:43 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
Moving someone's bag back, rows behind where they sit, does not only a disservice to the bag owner but also everyone else who is sitting behind them. Frankly, that is what is so egregious about people who stow their bag rows AHEAD of where they are seated. They force later boarders to put their bags behind where they are sitting. All of which causes disembarking the plane to become a real cluster with people like salmon swimming upstream trying to go back to retrieve their bags.
Jan 12, 2019, 10:28 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
Somewhat funny if not disturbing end to the story--when I exited my row to leave the plane I reached into the bin above 12DEF to grab my backpack but it wasn't there. It was all the way up in row 8 (??) bin and I had no idea someone moved it. I was immersed in emailing during the boarding process so I perhaps missed the sneaky switch.
Jan 12, 2019, 10:47 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA PLT, WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 251
I put my carry-on in the overhead bin across the aisle from my seat so I can easily keep my eye on it.
Jan 12, 2019, 12:03 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 105
I absolutely do not feel it is rude to keep your backpack in the overhead bin if that is your only carry on. Of course, I would be polite if I was ever asked but there are many reasons why I would find it inconsiderate for someone to expect me to my move backpack.
I carry on only my back pack and instead check a bag because I am uncomfortable having my backpack by my feet. I do not buy basic economy tickets to assure that I can board earlier and as a result the way that I see it is that I am paying more to try to assure that I have a spot in the overhead bin for my bag that actually meets the size limitations for a carry on. I am willing to take the risk of having my checked bag lost and willing to wait an often ridiculous amount of time (CLT) for my checked bag to attempt to assure that I have the space by my feet when traveling in economy. I am only 5'8" but a past knee injury causes me pain if I can't stretch out that leg off and on, having my backpack in front of me restricts that. Unless traveling on a small regional plane, there should be room for everyone (especially everyone on non-basic economy tickets) to put one carry on in the overhead bin if all of those carry on bags actually meet the carry on size restriction. The reason there isn't room is because people are bringing bags aboard that are bigger than what is supposed to be allowed. On top of that some people will insist on putting both of their carry on bags in the overhead bin. In my opinion, the passengers that are bringing larger bags than allowed and/or putting multiple items in the bin when not seated where that is required are the ones' being rude. I don't feel that anyone should have to give up their single spot in the overhead bin because other travelers broke carry on size restrictions and AA didn't enforce the rules, someone thinks that they are special and should get to put their personal item and carry on up, and/or someone boarded last because they bought a basic economy ticket in which they were warned at time of purchase that their carry-on may need to be checked/gate checked. The rest of us should not have to accommodate those that do not follow and/or understand the rules and expectations.
Now there are situations in which I would offer to move my bag. I'd move it for someone that was handicap to avoid them having to put their bag too far from their seat. Keeping in mind that some people board late for a good reason and not just because they bought a basic economy ticket, I would also move my bag for someone that boarded late and really needed the space because they were either extremely tall and/or seated in a bulkhead or exit row without under seat storage. I know the flight attendants would help find room for those bags but I'd be really stressed if I were in those seats and my bag had to be placed out of my sight so I would have sympathy in those situations.
I carry on only my back pack and instead check a bag because I am uncomfortable having my backpack by my feet. I do not buy basic economy tickets to assure that I can board earlier and as a result the way that I see it is that I am paying more to try to assure that I have a spot in the overhead bin for my bag that actually meets the size limitations for a carry on. I am willing to take the risk of having my checked bag lost and willing to wait an often ridiculous amount of time (CLT) for my checked bag to attempt to assure that I have the space by my feet when traveling in economy. I am only 5'8" but a past knee injury causes me pain if I can't stretch out that leg off and on, having my backpack in front of me restricts that. Unless traveling on a small regional plane, there should be room for everyone (especially everyone on non-basic economy tickets) to put one carry on in the overhead bin if all of those carry on bags actually meet the carry on size restriction. The reason there isn't room is because people are bringing bags aboard that are bigger than what is supposed to be allowed. On top of that some people will insist on putting both of their carry on bags in the overhead bin. In my opinion, the passengers that are bringing larger bags than allowed and/or putting multiple items in the bin when not seated where that is required are the ones' being rude. I don't feel that anyone should have to give up their single spot in the overhead bin because other travelers broke carry on size restrictions and AA didn't enforce the rules, someone thinks that they are special and should get to put their personal item and carry on up, and/or someone boarded last because they bought a basic economy ticket in which they were warned at time of purchase that their carry-on may need to be checked/gate checked. The rest of us should not have to accommodate those that do not follow and/or understand the rules and expectations.
Now there are situations in which I would offer to move my bag. I'd move it for someone that was handicap to avoid them having to put their bag too far from their seat. Keeping in mind that some people board late for a good reason and not just because they bought a basic economy ticket, I would also move my bag for someone that boarded late and really needed the space because they were either extremely tall and/or seated in a bulkhead or exit row without under seat storage. I know the flight attendants would help find room for those bags but I'd be really stressed if I were in those seats and my bag had to be placed out of my sight so I would have sympathy in those situations.
Jan 12, 2019, 12:54 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nottingham, UK
Programs: HHonors - Diamond, AA - EXP
Posts: 150
One of the best benefits of status is early boarding so there’s OH bin space. I always check a bag and carry a backpack and that backpack is going in the bin. If I’m last on the plane after a tight connection then tough on me, it’s at my feet but if it’s in the bin it’s not coming out (until we land of course!!)
Jan 12, 2019, 6:11 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Plat, MR AMB + (LTT) , Hertz PC, UA Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 265
Anyway, I assume 90% of other travelers are amateurs and I've started imagining that they are on some first trip - like the first family vacation, or the first trip to see grandma, or something else hard like going to visit grandad in the hospital, or something interesting like just got honored by home town high school... and when someone in sweatpants doesn't know how boarding works, I just smile and think they must be going to the beach for the first time.
I dunno... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ... people gonna people, amiright? Glad you all got to where you were going
I dunno... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ... people gonna people, amiright? Glad you all got to where you were going
This!
Which is why i typically am more forgiving to travel gaffes by others.Also doesn't anyone else just put on their noise cancelling headphones and ignore everyone boarding? This way no one can ask you to move anything
Jan 12, 2019, 8:08 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: Enrich
Posts: 449
Somewhat funny if not disturbing end to the story--when I exited my row to leave the plane I reached into the bin above 12DEF to grab my backpack but it wasn't there. It was all the way up in row 8 (??) bin and I had no idea someone moved it. I was immersed in emailing during the boarding process so I perhaps missed the sneaky switch.
And it does not only happen in Y class, but actually there are more cases in J class.