except that one of the problems as been previously noted as that there isn't enough overhead space if every passenger brings a rollaboard/carryon.

i know that size, not weight is the elephant in the room but if you want to go down that line of thought, then airlines would have to decrease the maximum size of carryons which i think is an even worse approach.

i see a lot less overhead shortage issues on flights w/airlines that have an 8kg limit than on flights where there are no weight limits on carryons.

the rationale for allowing people with no carryons to board first is it would probably shorten total boarding time because generally, people tend block the aisles as they put bags into the overheads causing backups.

but as i posted upthread, it really doesn't do anything to address the growing lack of overhead space because of people bringing ever larger bags onboard due to check luggage fees or because they don't want the hassle or risk of pilfered/lost/delayed checked luggage.

Sorry, I should've been more specific. I totally get it from the airline's point of view. But as a passenger, what do I care? I'm presumably in coach, so the seats are still uncomfortable and I'm still not getting a drink prior to take off. I just get to sit in my seat a few extra minutes, for no personal gain.

*shrug*

I've been pleased to see an increase in proactive FAs removing clearly inappropriate items from overhead bins (to the gent who laid out a sport coat in a bin on a completely full flight at the end of July 4th weekend--you should be ashamed) and making people stow them underneath the seat. The FAs shouldn't need to do this, but in my anecdotal experience this might be helping a little; so far this year virtually all the bags I've seen removed for check are ones that had no prayer of fitting in the bins anyway, unless the plane was half-empty.

Agree. The only reason priority boarding is a "perk" is for overhead space, IMHO. Who the heck want to spend any extra time in a tube with germ infested seat and air and having your shoulder and head wacked by bags every 30 seconds.

Better management of the overhead space in Y would be allowing everybody a free checked bag and charging instead to put a carryon in the overhead.

Enough casual travelers would opt for the free checked bag that plenty of room would be freed up in the overhead. Most FTs wouldn't have to pay for their carryon due to status or the credit card companies giving a free carryon instead of a free checked bag. There would probably be space left overhead for underseat items, too.

@filmbuff

If you're only bringing you 8kg tiny carry-on, then why do you care about the bin situation? I would guess you rarely have a problem finding space. Isn't this a case of worrying about something that doesn't impact you?

I would suggest that you focus your time on finding a way to eliminate the use of RJs, thereby making everyone happier.

i've been fortunate enough that I've not had to gate-check my carryon due to lack of bin space. but that's not to say that this won't crop up on a future flight.

i thought that this was an interesting topic to respond to as lack of bin space will probably be an escalating issue for flyers in the future, whether they're traveling light or with significant baggage.

i don't fly enough each year to rack up points on a specific airline to get special status - i'm flying in Y and 'fighting' with everyone else for precious bin space. and i don't worry about it, not that it's any of your business.

[Unduly personalized remarks deleted by Moderator per FT Rules.]

Let me guess. You don't fly internationally, especially Asia. They have a weight limit of 7-9 kg. for carry ons.:)

I was on a HNL-LAX AA flight the other day and the boarding was absolutely out of control -- it was by far the worst mess I've ever seen in all of my travels. Absolutely everyone was standing in a huge mass in front of the boarding lanes waiting for their group to be called. Except, actually, most weren't waiting; they were just boarding before their group was called (and were allowed to by the GAs!). Everyone had huge carry-ons and I have no doubt that this fact contributed to the mass hysteria of everyone trying to board as early as possible.

Even if the airlines can't or won't restrict the size/weight of carry-ons, they absolutely MUST start strictly enforcing their own boarding process. If a person from Group 3 tries to board with the Group 1 people, send them packing!

I've flown internationally to Europe on carriers with an 8 kg carryon limit, and managed a 2 1/2 week trip with just that carryon (no checked luggage at all). Not everyone can do this, of course; it depends on what and how much you need to pack for your particular end destination activities. But it's entirely possible to travel carryon only on international carriers with tight carryon weight limits.

An 8 kg carryon isn't necessarily small dimensionally, just lightweight. Anyone with a large-but-light carryon, or who also has an additional underseat personal item, will be concerned about having enough bin space.

indeed, you are correct. the carryon bag that i use when i fly to europe (where many flights there have a 7-8kg limit) measures 22" X 14" x 9"...hardly what anyone would call tiny.

since i also carry a personal bag which has my laptop & other electronics, i have no choice but to put the carryon into the overheads.

I've never had a problem with CX, SQ, KE, OZ, and TG.
NH once wanted to check my roller briefcase because it looked heavy (and it was about 12kg) but after speaking with a manager I boarded the plane with my briefcase.

I don't really care what European travelers have gotten used to. It's a serious erosion of what slim benefits are left to us.

And I rarely have problems with finding bin space. Buying first class and business class tickets almost always negates any nanny state carry-on luggage checks.