The other day on a MR, I was assigned 2A on a TED flight (A319). I boarded the aircraft with my 2 pieces, a backpack and a laptop bag. There wasn't anyone seated in row 1 yet on either side, row 2 had C, E and F occupied then empty back to Row 4. The overheads were all closed, strangely, back to row 4. My backpack was not very large, a Targus laptop backpack and almost always fits when the bin appears to be full. So, standing in row 2, I reach up an pop the first bin. It's empty. I turn my backpack on it's side (takes up about 7 inches) and am told by the FA that unless I am seated in Row 1, I cannot use the first bin because they don't have any under seat stowage. She was polite and respectful. I apologized, removed my bag and popped the next bin. To my surprise, it was full! There is only 1 person seated so far in the first three rows with the next 2 pax in row 4 in B,C. Well, I was shocked enough that I let out a "what the hell" louder than I wanted to. The next FA was approaching as I muttered (so I thought) the "H" "E" "Double Toothpicks."

She graciously said "It will be ok" and attempted to stow my bag. I didn't realize that she was trying to take it and pulled it to me to take out my laptop. She patiently waited as I removed my laptop and again tried to take my bag. I was a little miffed at the full overhead. So, my attitude was edgy. I didn't let her take it. (She had only motioned that she intended to take it this time instead of grabbing it) My body language said "I will stow my own bag." My bag went all the way back to the bin above row 4. The FA again said it will be OK in a very nice soothing way. I muttered, so I thought, "they won't let me back here to get my bag."

I was pretty caught up in my own emotions at this point (I was, in my opinion, irrationally emotional about this) and not paying any attention to all of the other PAX and how they were observing me. They probably thought I was about to go into Air Rage! I wasn't even close to losing it, but sometimes you think that someone is going to blow and they don't, that was me.

As I sat down in my Window Seat ( I hate window seats and I wasn't allowed to select my own seat at any time in the process for this flight) I started to dwell on the man sitting in 2C. ( Irrational in retrospect I know ) How can one person with the same carry-on restrictions as me, fill up an entire bin? How can the FAs watch him do it, know that my bin is full, watch me take great care to take up the smallest amount of space in the first bin and then ask me to remove my bag? I was working myself up pretty good. I actually had my camera phone in flight mode and considered taking a clandestine picture of the guy and posting it here saying "beware of this man!" This is so funny to me now!

Well, I calmed myself down about 10 minutes into the flight. Realized how petty I was being and told myself that I was to learn from this.

Fast forward to the end of the flight. We stop at the gate and everyone jumps up from the seat. I, as usual, stayed put as I knew I wasn't getting my bag until at least E+ had cleared. As I sat there looking around, the man who was seated in 4C takes my bag down and hands it up to me. I say "Thank You Sir!" I was standing above him when I made the comment about not being allowed to go back to get my bag.

As I exited my row with my two bags, I deliberately stopped, turned and with sincerity said "Thanks again Sir" Which he accepted with a smile.

As I entered the gate area, I stepped aside and adjusted my bags on my shoulder. As I turned I glanced at the PAX coming out of the jetway. It was the nice man who handed me my bag and his wife. They were both carrying the bags that were in the overhead bin above row 2.

I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, I wasn't in any hurry to get anywhere. I was coming back on the same aircraft I had just arrived on. I shouldn't have made those comments.

The man in 4E just feel guilty of all the problem his bags caused

By the way, your situation reminds me of the movie "Meet the Parents".

That's funny! You are right!

I wonder if the author of "Meet The Parent's" based it on real life experiences that they had?

I decided about 20 years ago that I would try to focus on what I could control in life instead of other people who I cannot, and should not try and control. (As with most things, this is a work in progress and I don't ever expect to perfect it)

So, I guess I feel that while I feel remorse for my actions, there is reinforcement for my behavior at the same time if I choose to take it as such. This is a moral dilemma I have faced many, many times in my life.

M.

Same thing happened to me on a recent flight KWI/RUH on SV.Was first pax in F to reach the plane Y was filling up fast but not one bin in F was empty all packed to the edges.With my CPAP in hand i always carry it i called to F/A and told him about the problem.Well what came next was a surprise even for me.He stopped boarding and annouced the following"unless all passengers come and collect there items in F he will download them in KWI"Well in less than 3 minutes all bins were empty,great move because F on that flight was also full. ^