Overhead opens during takeoff, what to do?
 

Yesterday, I was flying on an old 767-200 and during takeoff, one of the locking mechanisms on the overhead luggage compartments for the seats in front of me released, exposing the carry-on luggage. I didn't know what to do - for a couple minute you could see the luggage shifting over the edge, and it made me very nervous. Luckily, a minute later we reached cruising altitude and the flight attendant came to close it.

What is the appropriate thing to do?

Stand up and close it? (seat belt sign was on)
Notify person in front?
Get ready to catch any falling 'debris'?
:confused:

I always just leave it alone. I've seen this happen a few times every year. If it really looks dangerous, ring for the FA.

If it is rough enough to open the bin and cause something to fall out, I would say it is too rough to unbelt. I would just keep an eye out for falling bags and wait until after the initial climb out.

I had this happen to me a couple of days ago. Fortunately I knew there was nothing in the bin so no danger of anything falling out and hitting me. On past occassions I might keep half an eye out just in case.

Happened above my head a few weeks ago on a 777 on takeoff - the 3R FA gave me a high sign to get up quickly and close the bin - which I did. Then I sat back down and rebuckled my seat belt. No one was harmed.

Unless I get the high-sign from the FA, I just sit there and protect my head.

Go into "turtle mode" and cover your head???? :p

This almost happened to us on a US flight back from BOS last night. One side of the bin popped out but it didn't come all the way open. I just kept my eye on it until we got to altitude.

Safe travels
Tim

I'd stay seated unless it looked like something fragile might fall (i.e. someone's laptop bag/briefcase), or if it was one of my possessions. I'd also try and make sure the passengers on the other aisle also were aware (so they could watch out for falling baggage/protect themselves).

If you are Yao Ming, you stay buckled and reach up and close the bin. (for those who remember the Apple commercial). :D

If it looks like something will fall, I'll unbuckle and slam it shut. Otherwise, like others, I'll keep a wary eye on it.

stand up and close it. To me, there is more risk at injury from the bin being open than there is me standing up and closing it quickly.

I recommend using common sense...I have taken the unbuckle and the stay buckled appraoch under different circumstances basis my assessment of the total situation. :)

Not had it happen near enough me to do anything about it, but if it were right above my head, and the ascent was relatively smooth, I'd certainly quickly unbuckle and close it. If we were bouncing around a bit and there were potential head-bruisers overhead, but I felt safe enough I have to say I'd do the same before I got a bruised head!

Yes, I agree - assess the sitch and act accordingly. There's no right answer for every situation.

I've had it happen a couple of times, in both cases, I stood and closed it.

ditto

Wearing your seatbelt during takeoff is a good rule of thumb. It's not the 10th commandment of safety.