Don't they?

Of course they don't. They don't own it any more than the seat they have been assigned to.

Given the countless issues and countless posts that bin space has created, you would think people would come to some logical conclusions. The only problem with expecting logical conclusions is that you are dealing with people, many of whom think only in terms of 'me' rather than in terms of logical.

So what are some logical conclusions that could be reached if people were able to remove the 'me' factor from their thinking? Well, we could start with:

1. Bin space causes problems. Anything from 'up stream' behaviour to actual physical confrontations between people.
2. Potential solutions might be to increase bin space or remove bin space entirely and allow nothing on board that cannot be stowed beneath the seat.
3. If you choose to increase bin space, how much would you logically need to increase it and would it stop 'up stream' and other behaviour regardless of how much you increase it?
4. If you remove it entirely, what behaviour in regards to 'me' thinking would still be possible? Put your laptop bag under someone else's foot space to leave your own feet more room?

Frankly, the only logical conclusion I can see is that bin space should be removed entirely. I am quite sure the airlines know that and would love to do so. You can easily see how much quicker it would make loading and unloading passengers for example and the conflicts it would avoid. But no airline wants to be the first to do so. Why? Because all those who want to carry on luggage would stop flying with them unless every other airline did the same. The 'me firsts' rule.

Yep.......and I always put it on the other side of the aisle, not above me.

When this happens though, and it's never in the front obviously, I find most pax are pretty happy to do the "pass the bag" game to help the person out.

If the bag is only 2 or 3 rows back, common courtesy is to either let them back to get the bag or to pass the bag forward. That is what happens on NZ domestic flights.

Incidents of passengers showing courtesy to one another in real life are far more common than what you would believe if you took FT posts seriously.

Are they assigned the bin the same way? Is the expectation that you get the bin over your assigned seat?

No.

I always try to use the bin opposite my seat, but realise that none are individually assigned like a seat.

Right, because those pax sitting in the preferred bulkhead seats who use the bins a few rows back are definitely kettles.