Often my only carry on is a shoulder bag that is very similar to a laptop bag. It always goes into the overhead. I don't mind rearranging it to accommodate a roll a board but I wont put it under my seat....I want my legroom.

If I choose to check a roll a board / suitcase to save overhead space (or guarantee my one small shoulder bag can go in the overhead) I'm not sure why someone who didn't want to check a roll a board is somehow entitled to that same space just because their bag is bigger.

For almost every flight I've been on (I fly US), the GAs announce that smaller items must go under the seat AND everyone should hold onto their coats until the overhead bins are filled. Personally, I hold onto my coat... I'm not big into having my expensive coat smashed under someones dirty rollerboard wheels.

That being said, I would never dare to remove someones item from the bin, even if it looked like it could fit under their seat. Maybe I have too much faith in humanity, but I would just assume that they had a valid reason for doing so.

If someone removes my carryon from overhead bin to store theirs without asking, that bag is going to be gate checked.

The one thing I've learnt from this thread is that if I am travelling with just a laptop and want my legroom I should also bring along a much larger rollaboard to put the laptop in and then put the rollaboard in the overhead.

It's a combination of (a) airlines charging for the first checked bag; and (b) the distance between rows is getting smaller.

it has...many times :)

I do hear the announcement and I ignore it. I almost always check my luggage, and I've found that if I put my computer baga and stuff under the seat in front of me I can't stretch out my legs.

I'm not going to ruin my trip because other people refuse to check their bags.

Everyone could check their rollerboards and then we wont have an issue (infact, we may even have some spare room to store some extra pillows :)). Since thats not going to happen I like the free for all. It takes into account people who paid more typically or travel more (business folks), and are more likely to carry both pieces of luggage as well as so they get to their client locations on time.

The airlines could fix it all and give us all first class seats.

How bout first and foremost handling bags properly? i.e. don't lose them, don't break them, make baggage handlers and airlines personally liable for any damage or loss to checked in luggage.

My rollaboard always has medicine I'm not about to check.

Couldn't you put your medicine in your personal item like a briefcase or backpack?

I always travel with a laptop bag and place it under the seat in front of me. As soon as we hit 10k' I slide it out from under the seat on the floor, kind of underneath where my knees are. Best of both worlds. I like it close (not in a bin) because I use it for storage like a woman uses a purse.

Amen!!! ^^^

Exactly, its convieneint and polight to the other passangers who have rolerboards.

My personal item is my laptop bag. The medicine is a liquid pre-packed into ampules--bulky. To leave it in it's original packaging with the prescription label (necessary--as I said, it's liquid) means a cube about 6" on a side that holds 12 days worth.

No need to wait until 10,000'. It only has to be stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing. Once you're off the ground you can recline your seat, pull out the carry on and lower your tray table.