Also MUCH easier to get the bag out of the bin when it's across from you. Whenever I have been accosted by someone across the aisle (rarely), I invite them to use the space above my seat and see how much easier it is to get the bag out after landing. Usually get an "oh, why didn't I think of that" when they get the bag out.

SR

All the more incentive to pack light! Last thing I need to get involved with is beating someone to a overhead bin.

WHERE do they find these people?!?!?!?!

I have a simple solution for that: $ 10 per bin space at check-in.
The bins should have numbers and should be printed on the boarding passes

While I would not get all up-in-arms over this, I would refuse the request no matter what seat I am in. I'm 6'4", and I use the space underneath the seat for my size 14 1/2 feet. In FC, sticking my laptop bag underneath the seat in front of me is like putting me in coach. In coach, sticking my laptop bag underneath the seat in front of me, leaves me no place to put my feet.

But also, I'm not a cheap DB either, I check my clothesbag instead of trying to bring it on board. While Delta (or as someone pointed out in another thread, maybe TSA) has destroyed a brand new bag recently, at least they have never lost it (knocks on wood). Bags can be replaced (and Delta did replace my bag).... and it's a whole lot less frustrating trying to rush on-board to find bin-space. Especially when I have tight connections.

Personally, I think the airlines have it backwards. They should charge for binspace and make checking your luggage (within reason, first two bags, maybe) free.

Don't. Even. SAY. That!

Of course, to be waived for DM's (you know who we are :))

The vast majority of business travelers never check a bag. I have not since 1998 and I have been flying ridiculous miles for the last 8 years.

1. I CAN use an iron. Imagine that!
2. There is no need for more than 3-4 days cloths (plus what you are wearing) on any trip 2 weeks or less. In fact, I am in China almost every month and have a great place that costs me $5 USD for an entire weeks laundry. I will then just have my shirts pressed at the hotel or do it myself.
3. Given the math I would be CRAZY to check luggage:

-100 trips (not legs) a year.
-Avg wait time at the carousel = 30 minutes.
-Avg extra bag-drop time = 10 minutes
--------------------------------------
100 x 40 minutes = 4000 minutes a year or 66 hours of time I can never get back. THAT is why I do not check bags...oh yea, and then there is the occasional lost bag/delayed delivery.

There are people who travel with samples, tools, and other stuff that makes avoiding checking impossible but if you can you should.

Thank you for adding this line. It galls me when holier-than-thou types post disdainful slams like "there's no reason to ever check a bag" or "what could these people possibly be packing" or "if you have to check the bag, you are packing too much."

Try traveling for a full week with two computers, a projector, assorted cords, remotes, manuals and giveaways in a job that requires you wear suits. Sorry, but if I'm in front of the same customer two days in a row or gone for more than three days, I've got to have a second suit, and I can only wear one suit jacket on the plane.

Also, while many people on this board advocate doing laundry on the road, I'm more of a "FedEx clean clothes to my Thursday and next Tuesday stops and send home the laundry" kinda guy. If the people at the FedEx office had any idea how many times they've sorted boxes full of my dirty laundry, they'd justifiably be grossed out. (I have everything held at the FedEx facility so nobody takes the box of laundry off my doorstep while I'm away.) I've also FedExed dirty clothes directly to my cleaners.

A few weeks ago I was in a bulkhead seat and due to maintenance replacing a seat cushion, there was a big gap in time from when I first boarded until the rest started boarding. I had stuck my small carry on in the bin over my head and proceeded to the lav. As I came out I was stuck in the line trying to get to my seat and I hear someone saying.. "There is no way she is going to make that fit" I see a woman trying to force a roller board long ways into the spot where my case was. Long story short.. she folded my iPad :mad: Still waiting for the replacement...

+1 ^.

What a great idea... why hadn't I thought of this before? Unfortunately, when I'm on the road, I don't have time to do the laundry (believe me, I've tried... I wind up with 3 hours of sleep). I might have to start trying this. But I still won't bring my luggage with me... between the tools I occasionally carry and my just plain laziness, I'd rather check my clothes bag.

Last week I had boarded my plane and had put my carry-on in the short side of the DC-9 because there was no room on the large side. Avlittle while later some zone 4 passenger came on, spun my suitcase sideways, stuffed his bag in, and then sat down in front of me. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to put my bag back so the door would close. He got all huffy, but put one of his 2 bags under the seat in front of him (which is where my bag 2nd bag was).

Delta causes this situation all the time when they give zone3/4 passengers the bulkhead. Of course there are no empty bins near those seats, because every other seat around there is occupied by zone 1/2 passengers (and sometimes needy FC passengers)9

I've been flying for a long time... and for the longest time, I never checked a bag.... I've got a laptop backpack and a rollaboard. In addition, when I was flying AirTran almost exclusively, I was carrying a toolkit too, so I had to check that.... When I changed jobs and moved to CHA, I no longer had a toolkit. So, I started out not checking my luggage too. Then I remembered what a PITA it is getting on quickly so that I have a prayer at stowing my rollaboard in an overhead compartment. Then I also like to store my laptop backpack in an overhead too. I get tired of the FAs yelling at me to put my backpack at my feet. I'm not doing that. Besides, my rollaboard has to get a pink tag at least twice on every round trip.... so instead of waiting for my luggage at the carousel, I'm waiting at the ramp.... precious time where I could be running for my life... I mean my connecting flight in ATL.

Pretty good tip...I may try this. I have used the same laundry place here in Calabasas for 2 years and I know them well. I would be nice to get home and have clean cloths waiting for me AFTER a trip!

When I do this, I always throw some dorky touristy souvenir for Jennifer at the cleaners. She is the owner's daughter who works there. She proudly displays the mug, shot glass or hula dancer on the counter when I go to pick up the stuff.