I am out of patience with bin hogs. I am so angry from economy class passengers get away with stowing their bags in the first class area of the plane that I am ready to have the flight attendants see that those bags are gate checked.

One sweetie who nearly hit me in the head with her over sized bag gave the excuse that the flight attendant didn't tell her that her overstuffed bag was too big.

I agree with Blumie. We earn the right to board first by being their top-tier flyers. The people that usually cause the problems are the ones who fly infrequently.

I agree as well. Don't care what's fair. Want overhead space, give AA more fare and it will reward you with status. Then you can board earlier and get what's coming to you.

Further, what does this topic have to do with AAdvantage or American Airlines? Seems sorta applicable to all airlines.

When I travel with a single carry on item, it goes in the overhead bin, no matter how small it is. I'm 6'7" and refuse to put my one item under my seat (i.e. have my legroom penalized) to make room for others who bring two carry ons, neither of which will fit under a seat. When I bring two items, one always goes under the seat in front unless I am in the bulkhead.

Let's talk about CO's overhead bin space in F if you want to talk about poorly planned space.

A better suggestion would be for people that want to store things in the overhead bin space to board early. If you're elite, you can do that. If you're not prepared to take the initiative, a gate check is always available.

Good point. I think these issues about overhead space are an exaggeration. If elites avail themselves of the privilege of boarding early, it's not a problem.

Bin Hogs
 

I love this topic, as AA PLT myself, I enjoy the priority boarding priviledge that I have, I also like to seat in the 9th row of the 757, the ones where you can not put anything underneath the seat in front of you, I always have my carry on, and my laptop bag which I put on the overhead bin. Several years back I remember an incident on a ATA flight from MCO to MDW where a lady came in with 8 shopping bags, 1 carry on, her purse and long overcoat, she was sitting on the emergency seats. She must have cleverly concealed the 8 shopping bags on her coat when she boarded the plane. She was on the last group to board the plane. The passenger searched frantically to find space for bags, and ended placing most of them on the 20th row area. Once the plane landed, she was the first person to jump and try getting her bags from the 20th row and then wanted to get bak to her seat to be the first to arrive, luckily there was no room for her to move, so she ended up waiting her turn to deplane.

I think that as part of the boarding process in the terminal, they should start giving instructions on how to stow your belongings in the plane, carry on wheels first in the overhead bin, laptop, purse, small bags in the floor under the seat of you. Jackets must stay with you, or you should place them on top of your carry on or bag under the seat.

Well I do believe that CHARGING for overhead space may be inevitable. Many people never believed the airlines would charge for Baggage, Food, Blankets etc. But they do now !!!

So charging for Overhead BIN space may be the next big revenue idea. Then if you cant put it in the floor in front of you, KaChing, please deposit more $$$ please.

So far it seems the FF's here have a certain ARROGANCE about "I am a FF & I get to do what I want". Overall something FAIR needs to be done.

Also with the new 787-Dreamliners it seems they will have even LARGER overhead Bins & such.

Do you think anyone would listen ???

Most people tend to IGNORE or keep on doing whatever when the FA's make the mandated Safety announcements now. The only time I believe people really half listen is when the FA ask's people in the EXIT ROWS if they can & would assist in case of an emergency. But then most times I think they just say YES to whatever to keep the good eat with Legroom.

Of course, they won't charge the elites for this, if they do implement the policy. Fair? People who spend more with a given business get more perks than those who don't. Many would consider that fair. Those who do not frequent the business but still want all the perks apparently do not.

Cheers.

Which is why I believe they will go to a PAY PER USE type thing for the Overhead bins. FREE for the FF & the rest get to pay or such. They will have little locks or something on them.

Once again, airlines have decided to adopt an Ala-Carte approach indirectly with the Infrequent Travelers. Priceline, Hotwire etc championed this with their CHEAP PRICING structures & No Brand Loyalty. FF's will get Add-On's for FREE while others are charged. Also Corp Travel desks will be able to arrange certain Perks as part of their Travel contracts. (Checked Bags, Early Standby etc) But for the Masses of MA & PA KETTLE type who leisure travel, prepare to pay for everything you consume. No More Free Rides off of the Frequent Traveler group.

I would be happy if AA charged those infrequent fliers to bring their suitcases on board (only one personal item only) and let them check a bag for free.

It would do the following things
1) Speed up boarding. We won't try to bring the kitchen sink on board. We know better, we promise.
2) Free up bin space for the frequent fliers (i.e. the people that need it the most to quickly get off and off the plane)
3) We won't have to stuff our over coats/pea coats/winter coats/suit coats on the floor.
4) Makes the cabin more comfortable. You won't have someone's third bag that somehow made on the plane stuffed under the seat in front of you taking your legroom.

I know implementing this plane would be a bit of logistical nightmare because of online check-in and kiosk check in.
1) Only FF elites can check in online (How many other people would readily use the feature?)
2) Set up the kiosks to print a sticker for bringing a suitcase through the security checkpoint. Police it at the kiosks, at the security check point and at the gate. Encourage people to actually obey by charging people who are bringing bags they shouldn't on-board at the gate. Reward non-elite fliers by offering a small discount on tickets for promising not to bring carry on baggage.

It's just a pet-peeve of mine...

This poster as others have hit the nail on the head. Want to guarantee that you have sufficient room for your bags onboard, get status. And I find the infrequent travelers carry baggage that looks like the steamtrunk that Ethel Mertz took with her when she sailed to Europe with Fred and the Ricardos. And another reason to upgrade to get away from the boarding madness.

Personally, I hold my jacket in my lap and use the space under the seat, when not in a bulk head, to allow for more room in the bins. If people can't travel with a reasonable amount of luggage, too bad. When seated in Y I get lost in music and/or a book and ignore the circus that is taking place.

Generally, I find that elites and business travelers tend to be more space-conscious. (Note the word "generally" - I've run into my share of exceptions to the rule also.)

I always fear the tourist destinations or the groups of high school/college kids - huge backpacks, pillows, stuffed animals, shopping bags, etc. (Just because it's "duty-free" doesn't mean it's okay to suddenly have 8 carry bags, people!! :mad:)

I know how to make this thread American Airlines specific, or American Eagle specific.

It doesn't do a lot of good to be an elite if the GA lets folks board en masse. Had this occur on my last couple of AE flights and one of these featured a high school group. Didn't go well at all. Thankfully my bag fit at my feet but still.

The other problem is if your connecting flight is late or your meal and rita imbiding at Cantina Laredo runs long and you go to boarding in the middle of group 3 or 4.....