+1 - If another pax "scolded" me, I would either and depending on my mood: 1) ignore them or 2) tell them to go to hell.

Pax who behave the way "scolder" well deserve to be added to the do-not-fly list (which ought to have a category for borish and ill-behaved kettles).

Erm, the airlines specifically tell you to pack fragile / valuable items etc. in your hand luggage, so presumably they agree with the premise of others understanding that something in your bag could be fragile / delicate. Heck. Maybe you are happy for someone to put their leaking meatball sub on top of your belongings, or slam their overweight oversize rollaboard on top of your laptop (seen both happen to other people, resulting in a smashed laptop screen and flying tempers, and a suit carrier and its contents covered in red sauce), I however am not. And if I got to a bin where someones things were already in there, even if there was space, there isn't a cat in hell's chance I would put my bag on top of someone else's items. It is just rude. Shared space is one thing, a blatent disregard for others personal property is not. In the vast majority of cases, all it takes to get everyone's things in the overhead is some spatial awareness, and a ex-tetris addiction - all without piling things on top of each other.

I suppose I could buy a much larger carry on bag, but then it would increase, not decrease the problem, as most of the time I try to obtain a bulkhead seat, so instead of my handbag and jacket going on top of my small case, I would need to take up even more overhead space.

Can't speak to the first Boeing plane, but the DC-3 had a "shelf" for passenger hats. But your average roll-aboard today wouldn't fit.

http://l1011.homestead.com/dc3int.html

It is absolutely rare in the US to see travellers with only one piece of cabin luggage.

And AC used to (and may still) permit women to have a rollaboard, a personal item such as a laptop case, AND a handbag for a total of 3 items.

It always amazes me when I fly UA to/from the US of the drama over cabin luggage, compared how quickly planes board and pull away from the gate in Europe. I've been on completely full flights with bins still 1/2 empty.

Not had an issue with my purse on top of my bag in as long as I can remember - in part because it is so small compared to everything else up there, it's the size of a hardback book maybe? I guess if someone really objected, I would put the handbag inside the case (it has an expanding front section) and that would then be 'one' item. But as I say, not had an issue. On some very full flights, FAs have asked if anyone would be willing to gate check, and I've happily handed over my case, if it happens to just contain clothes etc. not valuables, laptops etc.

I always took "hand luggage" to mean whatever it was that would fit beneath the seat in front of you. Even if people are being careful about what they put in the bin and around your fragile belongings, as we've all heard ad nauseam, "Items may shift during flight."

If it's delicate enough to get crushed by someone putting something on top of it, it's delicate enough to get damaged during turbulence. Why risk it?

"I just shake my head and wonder how some people would have survived in the days before overhead bins!"

I never used to use the overhead bins because I preferred to check my bag. I not longer do that because I do not like the fee. The reason this (the lack of bin space) is a huge problem is precisely that; being gouged.

+1

last month when I opened the bin, pax in the row behind me said not put my small bag in there as his hat was there !

I was polite, handed him his hat, placed my little bag and offered to place his hat on top...he did not answer, just kept it in his lap.

I so want to see the airlines start charging for more than one piece carry on....solve the problems......maybe even drive the DYKWIA to drive. !!!!

European airlines do not charge bag fees. The flights leave on time, and I have never once seen an argument over overhead space. Completely full flights board in 10 minutes. Plus my violin always gets on the plane happily.^

US Airlines charge ridiculous prices for checking bags. Flights generally leave a little bit late, and nearly every US domestic flight I've been on has had 20 bags gate-checked. Completely full flights generally board in 30-40 minutes.

I can't figure out why there is such a big difference!

[QUOTE=fiddlestickies;18240431]European airlines do not charge bag fees. The flights leave on time, and I have never once seen an argument over overhead space. Completely full flights board in 10 minutes. Plus my violin always gets on the plane happily.^

/QUOTE]

+1 alot of problems were created when airlines started charging for bags and food.

[QUOTE=Catusa;18240540]People have been obnoxious about carry-ons for as long as I've been flying, which precedes bag-check fees. The only difference is, now they feel more entitled to be obnoxious about it.

And this, Mom, is the reason that I will never fly with you again...you are so embarrassing.

(any pax who scolds me for any reason is going to get a bigger and better scolding right back. Sheesh, entitlement?)

On the other hand, airfares have been kept at historical lows for those of us who don't check bags and take care of our own sustenance needs.

They may tell you not to pack it in hold baggage, but that's not the same as telling you to pack any breakables in soft hand baggage.

I don't know where you're from so I've just checked a couple of USA and an ME airlines' websites and couldn't see any directive like you suggest. Maybe if you point one out I'll better understand where you're coming from.

Similar to yourself I expect, I would not be at all happy with any of the acts you describe. However, two wrongs do not make a right and using these examples to justify your own selfish behaviour does not hold water. Issues such as these should be addressed in their own right.

[QUOTE=LTBoston;18240609]And while I don't think the problem is as bad on WN it is still a problem. And I think one of the problems is that the legal carryon size really isn't enforced by the airlines.