It's been a while, so allow me to say that if they would remove overhead bins from all aircraft, these problems would go away. Allow only items that fit under the seat. Bulkhead pax items in a small cubby in the closet. Faster boarding and the annoying woman in post #23 will have to find something else to be annoying about...^

Empty middle seat underseat storage
 

On a related topic, who gets to use the empty underseat storage when you end up with an empty middle?

I monitor and change my ELR seat assignments on CO/UA as necessary to try to secure empty rows. This often means I end up in an ELR or E+ row with a non-rev, and an empty middle seat.

Non-revs always stow their personal items underneath the seat in front of them, and every time I offer the space under the middle seat, they decline. It just seems a waste of the space to go empty.

No, not everyone takes the maximum hand luggage, the airline would be royally shafted if they did. Take one of the widebodies for example, 3-3-3 config. There are 4 overhead bins for those 9 people to put their cases, assuming their personal article purse and coat go under the seat in front (an average of just over 2 people per overhead bin space). Even with a fully legal (and it goes in the sizer even when full) case, it doesn't always fitnarrow side in (like a book) in the overhead, so has to go flat (wheels pointing in or out, rather than long ways in the overhead) Given the width of the seat that the overhead is above, and that a case is not much narrower than the case, and that they don't fit stacked on top of each other, you can't put two side by side without encroaching on the row behind's space, and you get the knock on effect of taking up 'their' overhead space. And in addition, many aircraft have sectioned off overheads for blankets, pillows, first aid equipment, safety demo equipment etc.

If you take a small purse, I see no reason you shouldn't put it in the overhead compartment - the floor on some is filthy, the items in it may be somewhat fragile, perhaps your coat is under the seat in front, perhaps the cat you are taking is under the seat (you are not allowed to put them in the overhead, even tho that may be your larger bag) maybe you are in an exit row or bulkhead.

For many airlines, the wording is something like 'one standard article and one personal article' and other items in addition. The Air Canada wording is the 1 standard (10kg, 23x40x55cm) plus one personal (10kg, 16x33x43 cm) plus:

"The following are examples of items that are allowed, in addition to your carry-on allowance:
Coat or other outer garment,
Small purse measuring no more than 25cm x 30cm x 14cm (10in x 12in x 5.5 in). Larger purses will be included in your carry-on allowance.
Infant care item (e.g. diaper bag),
Stroller - collapsed diameter not to exceed 25.5 cm (10 in) and length not to exceed 92 cm (36 in),
Child restraint device if a seat has been purchased for the child/infant,
Special needs items (see 'Special Items' section below),
Small electronic device such as cell phone or MP3 player."

The purse is allowed in addition to the other two items, doesn't have to fit inside your carry on etc.

Assuming that there will be some lap babies on the flight, there will be a few additional infant diaper bags, in winter, depending on flight, a whole whack of winter ski coats (mine easily takes up as much space as a small rollaboard when it has its liner in, and if I am landing in a -30C destination, I am not risking having it in my checked bag), and quite possible other items such as cremated remains, a cooler box of medication, etc.

I've found many NA airlines to be similar in their policies.

Other airlines, especially some charter ones, allow far less in the cabin - 1 5kg article on one Brit based airline, and that is EVERYTHING, no purse, no carrrying a loose laptop, etc.

I think the answer is somewhat opposite. Create extra storage, possibly a compartment under the seat in front (floor opens to reveal storage, like you get in some cars). No one loses leg room (and for some tall people, their legs are the only things that fit under the seat), there isn't a mad panic for the overhead as there is more overall storage, it is safer as items cannot fall on anyone.

That, or bring back free checked bags - I only bring half the carry on that I do because otherwise I would be paying $100 or so to check the items - when we had 2 bags free I had one small carry on (the personal article), now they charge, I bring it on board (as does everyone else). Plus, I won't put anything of value in the hold after so much damage to / unauthorized opening of my cases in the past.

I'd also have no objection to what some European airlines do - only allow the smaller item on board with you, but let you leave your rollaboard at the gate, free of charge, that you pick up as you exit the aircraft - you know it is onboard with you, can make tight connections, no wait at baggage claim, far less chance of damage etc.

Well intentioned but bad idea. As a musician with a violin that takes up much less space than the gigantic suitcases that are crammed in to the overheads, I can tell you that without overheads my career is over. My violin is way too fragile(and honestly, expensive) to be thrown around by baggage agents(see United Breaks Guitars on youtube for evidence) and insurance certainly won't cover it. I can relate the horror stories from my friends who have been forced to check their instruments and then find the instrument utterly destroyed.

I've had this happen a couple of times. I don't bother with the passenger. I call the FA and say some bag is stuck under my seat and I can't put my things there - they know what's going on and tell the person in front to remove it.

Dead Head Crew
 

On AA, two FA and one Pilot are in exit row across from me. Full flight. Lots of passengers added due to cancelled flights.

The exit row can only be booked if you have status. These dead headed employees are using premium seats. The two FA have three bags, and have placed everything in the overhead bins.

I get the attention of the FA across the aisle and say, "Excuse me, but the airline only permits passengers to have one carry-on bag and one personal item. You have three. You need to check your carry on bag."
FA: *blank incredulous look*
BUJ: "You have to check one of your three bags. Shall I call the FA to assist you in checking the bag?"
FA: "But I am a Flight Attendant."
BUJ: "Yes. I am sure your mother is very proud. But on this flight, you are a passenger. You are taking up overhead space that as a passenger you are not entitled to. You need to check the third bag."
Back and forth argument, that is nothing more effective than "you must" vs "but I'm an FA" which, of course, goes no where. Later on, I get the Pilot too:

Pilot: "The FAA requires me to have my bags in the cabin."
BUJ: "Great. Can I buy you a drink while you fly the plane from the exit row?"
Thought he was going to levitate out of his seat and attack me. I deserved his anger at my disrespect, but their insensitive actions provoked my tactless attack.

This went on during the entire boarding process until the passenger behind me asked us to please stop it.

It was a complete waste of time for me except for the fact that none of the three in that row had a happy flight. And, they thought I was nuts. Which may or may not be true.

The problem with your argument here is that not all airlines follow your claim that small items belong under the seat. WN, for example, has been raking in plenty of $10 charges for its Early Bird Check In which markets itself with not only having to not be at your computer at T-24 to get in the first two board groups, but also because you have "earlier access to overhead bins." There is nothing there nor in their carry-on baggage policy that says that smaller items must go on the floor in front of you.

So, since I routinely pay for EBCI, I am going to use the benefit I paid for.

Selfish? Perhaps. But if WN wants to enforce the "smaller items on the floor" policy, then they can refund my money or stop using the "Look! You get access to the bins early!" to entice me to pay for the benefit.

Horrible idea. :td:

Unless the airlines take 100% responsibility for checked bags and TSA is not permitted to open any bag without the passenger's presence or explicit consent, then there is absolutely no sane reason to check a bag.

Why do you think they didn't have a good flight because you talked to them during boarding? I certainly wouldn't give it a second thought, doubly do if I am staff and know nothing is going to be done.

And everyone else's within hearing distance...

Sorry, but airlines don't exist solely to cart your violin around. I completely understand your concerns, but if overhead bins went away you would either find another way to get you and your violin around or you could take up the harmonica...

Um, wouldn't eliminating overhead bins just be throwing the baby out with the bath water? Why not just eliminate luggage entirely, that would solve the problem, too! Surely you'll find some other way to get your underwear around (or just wear one pair for your entire trip). :rolleyes:

In reality, you'd be exchanging one set of problems (people carrying too much stuff on) with another set of problems (wasting time at the conveyor belt, the airline losing/misrouting your bag, the TSA rifling through your stuff, baggage handlers stealing things from your bag). No thanks!

No, airlines exist solely to get people to where they are going(and make money doing it). If I don't have overhead space, I panic, because my priceless(emotionally and financially) instrument would likely be thrown around the cargo hold and destroyed. I have, in the past, resorted to begging flight attendants and passengers to gate-check their "priceless" bag of books and toiletries in order for my violin to make it onto the plane. In a worst case scenario, I would actually have to take the violin and bow out of the case and hold it on my lap for the entire flight, which kind of stinks on 12 hour flights when I know that the overhead space directly above me has been taken up by two jackets, which if removed would easily hold my instrument. If there are no overheads, musicians don't fly, and we don't play concerts, and then we don't have careers, which is kind of a shame, don't you think? Look, I'm not trying to pick a fight, I just am trying to express that there is actually a need for the overhead space.

Gate checking bags when there is no OH space, and to avoid inconveniencing passengers is always an option..