[References to now-deleted post edited by moderator.] I agree [edited by Moderator] that no one should touch someone else's luggage without asking first.
It doesn't matter if it's a small purse, duty free shopping bag or coat.

Does this extend to the FAs as well? Should they ask when rearranging bags to fit properly?

If just rearranging bags to fit properly (ie wheels first instead of sideways), I guess that's OK.
But if FAs removing a bag to store someone elses, then absolutely.
Even FAs would have to ask me.

Personally, I haven't had a problem with storing luggage because my upgrade rate has been 100% and I haven't flown Y for a couple of years now.

It was with some interest that I watched the "no laptops/coats in overhead bins" rule be STRICTLY enforced on an AA flight a month or two ago. I forget exactly which flight it was... STL to ORD, I think. Due to weather, flights to ORD were heavily delayed/being cancelled so there were a lot of standby pax making the flight full to bursting. (usually they are full-ish, but not jam packed) GA actually did announce 'when you get on the plane, please do not put any laptop bags/coats into the overhead bins as we will not have enough space' and there were numerous announcements made on the plane as well...

Well, as the last zone began boarding, lo and behold, there became no more overhead bin space because of coats/laptop cases/random small articles put into overhead bins. Cue taking-no-crap gate agent cruising on to plane and manually removing all coats/purses/laptop bags and chastising their owners. Long story short, it took about 15 minutes, but everyone learned their lesson on that flight and nobody had to gate-check anything. It was an impressive display. I saw a number of pax hand him an AApplause note.

And the problem with this is???

Fly More & Get A Better Seat

The airlines could cure this problem and speed up the boarding process by eliminating overhead bins. Put it under your seat. Doesn't fit? Check it.

Interesting idea, but of course it wouldn't work for those in the first row. But what if your storage area was under your own seat? I realize that in an emergency situatioin, a rapid stop would send everythin flying out from under seats. I bet that could be solved somehow, but probably would cost a gazillion dollars to retrofit...

And what if I put the laptop bag up there because I am in row one?

I have always been interested in what the seat pitch was when this rule was first implemented. I imagine it was way back in the first days of jet travel, when the seats were at a 35-38" pitch. With that seat pitch it's not such an issue, but when they cram the seats in at 31", then it's a whole different story.

When you're 6'3" and the seat pitch is 31", there are not many options regarding that precious space - that room under the seat in front of me is where my FEET have to go. Restricting that space actually makes me have to put my feet behind my knees, which means sitting in a position where my heel does not quite hit the floor. This is REALLY uncomfortable after a short time, and results in a very cramped ankle and toes. It's just an un-natural position.

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I'm 6'2" with a 36" inseam and I never, ever have to put my feet under the seat in front of me. My carry on goes under that seat and I have no difficulties.

And here is the perfect example of why the terms "overhead bins" and "etiquette" will never fit together. Some people are just selfish and/or inconsiderate, and there's nothing that can be done to change that. Human nature is generally not very appealing.

^This should happen on every full flight.

This is one of my pet peeves. I understand about the people who are 6'5", but on my AA flight last week some teenage girl put all her crap up in the overhead. So did everyone else (except me, it seemed).

Even worse is the way people don't stow things efficiently. At least if you're putting your makeup bag or computer bag up there, stow it vertically and sideways. People always seem to stick in everything lengthwise, way at the back, as though they're afraid it's going to fly out. I have seen flight attendants sometimes go through and re-arrange poorly organized overheads. I've seen passengers lay a purse flat, and then line up a sweater next to it so that they take up most of a bin. I guess they want me to squash my stuff in on top of it?

i also put my laptop bag/purse behind my feet as soon as we are in the air. my legs need all the room they can get.

and i bring a rollaboard, since the time united lost my luggage for good.

If the huge duffels and roller cases I see coming onboard every flight were checked as they should be, there would be plenty of room in the overheads. Airlines should be enforcing their own rules. Period.

I personally disagree here, as I am 6'4" with long legs and 13 inch long feet and I have never had problems in transcons or even in TATL's in cramped Y. Yes, it is not extremely comfortable, but you can always push your personal item to the side of the under seat storage so that you can have room for your feet. I realize that this isn't possible with most carry-ons, but I've never had problems with a medium-large backpack. I'd say now that I'm lucky because I have E+ and Exit Rows, so I don't have this problem any more, but I think that many people make a much bigger deal out of leg length than is valid.

That all being said, I personally take great exception to people who put their personal items overhead (unless they are in a bulkhead or an exit row with no storage) since it clogs up the overhead bins and delays the boarding process. Its simply a selfish thing to do.