enviroian

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.

arlflyer

This is an LUS thing. Used to have it happen all the time out of DCA, except it was the FAs instead of other pax saying it. I would always just respond with something along the lines of "This is my carry on, I do not have a personal item, and thus it will go in the bin rather than under the seat."

GNRMatt

I agree with what you've done. I personally prefer having the leg room in front of me, so I usually put my backpack up top after I empty out the things I'll need for the flight (tablet, headphones, meds, etc.) so I don't need to go back into it. I'm not going to make myself more uncomfortable for a flight because someone bought a cheaper ticket and did not get on as early as me. As far as I see it, that's a perk of being an Elite or purchasing a non basic-economy ticket.

And if the airline has an issue with it, from my prospective, they are the ones who caused these types of issues by charging so much for checking luggage and cramming the seats so close together.

JJeffrey

To each their own. I would certainly move my backpack under my seat to make room for a bigger bag, especially if the alternative was forcing that person to check it (but I never put my backpack in the overhead to begin with). But I guess I'm just polite like that. Hopefully karma will catch up for those times when I'm the last one on the flight for whatever the reason.

Antarius

I always keep my backpack under my seat (some ding dong crushed my laptop when I was in the bulkhead and had to put it up and since I avoid bulkheads and keep it with me).

after takeoff I put it behind my legs, up against the life jacket thing. It doesnt take up any legroom really as I'm 6' 2 and my knees extend well past the first foot of space in front of my seat.

regarding it being rude, depends on how you said it!

AA100k

reeg2

Also 6'1" and that feet space is among the most valuable to me on the aircraft. In F, I'd think differently, but in Y, I'd do as you did.

LondonElite

fotographer

no chance I am moving any bag for anyone else (handicapped not included)

bmw745ion19s

As with most other things its not what you say, but how you say it. If she was headed further back no reason for her to just stop at your row either.

enviroian

She asked politely, and I answered politely.

However for some reason she thought I said I already have another bag at my feet, which wasn’t the case, but correcting her at that point would be moot.

bmw745ion19s

Nothing wrong with a polite no. Glad some people still have a spine

TomBrady

How long is the flight. If she asked nicely and the flight was 2 hours or less. I probably would have moved my bag. If its a transcon, or they acted like a ....... I would have said no. I generally only put my backpack up later after its becoming apparent that the flight isn't full, or its a 6hr plus flight and at that point whats another 30 minutes at baggage claim.

The only reason I dont typically put my bag up is because of one particular bad experience. Because of delays I had a very tight connection, I didn't get my typically zone 2 boarding, and boarded with group 8 or something, All of the economy plus bins were full of backpacks, and 80% of those passengers had nothing under seat and I had to check my roller board. Now some of the very large backpacks I get, but some of these were moderate regular sized bags. Also it was a 2:15 minute flight. So now im much more conscious of putting my backpack up there.

Im also not a very tall guy. My brother is 6'4", He never puts anything under his seat.

britz

bambinomartino

Rarely fly American, but last month on a PHX - SAN flight I was shocked by the sizes of the carry-ons that people were allowed to take into the cabin. Some carried 2 or 3 times the luggage volume between their rollers and "personal" items that would be allowed on many other airlines.

If the person asking for the favour was one of these pax, I would be even less inclined to accommodate.