I noticed that QF did this on Sunday night when I flew from BNE to SYD. Not sure if they always do, but I particularly noticed as I was in row 1 and had to put my little backpack above me rather than at my feet as I usually do. I noticed that the other pax in the J cabin closed the bin when they stored their carry on in there, and no Y pax tried to leave anything in the front cabin.

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I hope for the sake of the offender that it was a nonstop with no possible continuation of that plane involved beyond that. Odd that the FA agreed to do this without knowing whose bag it was and what the destination of the bag should be.

^

If the overhead is a free for all why do they have the seat numbers on them? You could just as easily have the seat numbers attached to the seat tops/sides as in the theatre and the bins could have fewer divisions in them making it easier to fill with awkward shapes.

I think it's perfectly reasonable to assume that the bin over your head is the space provided for your luggage. There's more confusion and angst to be obtained from people arguing the point and having to run up and down the aisle trying to find a space.

If there was a common system at least people would know what to expect, this doesn't happen between flights on the same airline let alone across airlines.

I would disagree that it is 'just as easily' displayed on the seat tops/sides. The current location is more typically eye height and against a more contrasting background allowing for easier distinction not to mention a larger font size. Then there is the issue that if the number is on the seat top and someone is already in the seat it is much harder for the average PAX to determine if that person is in the wrong seat or not.

As for the bin space until the airlines state in their T&C that bin space is assigned I doubt you will see your view gain general acceptance among travelers

My first four comments make me doubt the coherence or fullness of the OP's story:

1) How could a bag too big to fit in straight-ways in the overhead, possibly fit under the seat in front of your friend? My backpack barely fits in that space. My FEET barely fit in that space.

2) Why would the FA ask a random person (your friend) to stick a big bag underneath their feet, instead of (a) trying to find the owner, or (b) gate-checking it?

3) Why wouldn't your friend say, "that's not mine." That would be the normal response.

4) Does your friend look like Brad Pitt or Ed Norton?

And one general comment on the topic:

5) The bag fit.....the one who turned it is the sneaky one. DON'T TOUCH MY BAG. If you have a problem with the way it is fitting, find me. DO NOT TOUCH MY STUFF.

You have a point although I think if there's a will etc ...

I'd still go for the uniform method of delivery - even if it's different for every airline - at least you'd know what to expect. The idea that people don't know till they get to their seat whether someone has pinched their overhead space ( I still think it's there for the seat beneath it) makes the frustration worse. If you expect it to be a scrum there's no surprise. If, on the other hand you could depend on FAs doing their job and even just keeping classes luggage space separate then you might lose that high blood pressure - well until you got to work :confused:

Good luck with that - even though I wish it was true. See "gate lice", people boarding out of their group and the like.

By the way, I board as early as I can and choose the bin directly above me. I always check my bag, even if it is legal. I use the bin space to hold my briefcase which has my prescription drugs, snacks for diabetics and the like. I refuse to put my bag under my seat as I'm tall and there are breakable things in my bag. If you get on late and try to move my stuff (or tell me to put my bag under my seat - yeah I mean you lady with the huge bag and attitude) you won't get any help from me with your personal storage issue.

Check your bag.

If you don't want me messing with your bag don't put it in sideways or in other ways use more space than it needs/is allowed.

+1 ^

I'm really gonna need a cite on this one. I've never heard of a "right way" to put bags in....what I've witnessed thousands of times is, if it fits, hurrah.

And oh yes: if you have a problem with the way my bag is inserted, find me or an FA, and have the FA find me. Your opinion on the "correctness" of my bag storage does not give you the right to touch it.

+1 I have a 22" roller that fits handle or wheels first on every aircraft except the DL 738 (it also fits easily in the carry-on sizer at the gates). So if I'm on one of those I make a point of boarding early to get OHB space (in my own cabin of course, and above my seat or as close to it as I can get). I don't know why those OHBs are designed so that a bag that conforms to the size regulations for carry-on luggage can't fit in the most efficient way.

If you don't follow the procedure as directed by the FA, I'm touching your stuff and will move it so that it conforms. If it only fits because you turn it sideways, that's YOUR problem, not mine or the rest of the passengers who follow the directions given by the FA. I'm not wasting MY time hunting you down to tell you that you effed up and now your bag doesn't fit and is sitting in the aisle.

+2 ^

You don't have to find me. Find the FA. They have on distinctive uniforms and are moving about the cabin. If you just start moving stuff willy-nilly, that makes you the rude one.

I have encountered numerous instances of "bin hogs" who don't use the space efficiently. Most often, it is suit jackets or coats laid across whole bins. Could be other things. (I don't think an "improperly placed bag" counts, because I don't think there is such a thing.) In any event, the proper thing to do is make a simple inquiry of the seats around "is this yours? Is this yours?," and when you find the owner, say/ask (this can be done fairly firmly) if you can move/adjust the item so that more will fit. The key, as in most human interactions, is politeness and communication.

Moving a bag so it sticks straight out and the bin no longer shuts? Well, that is an act that involves neither politeness nor communication.

Its not your job to make sure other people stuff conforms though.