davie355

On a mainline (A319) flight I had stowed my one and only bag overhead.

My seatmate arrived with 3 items. One roller bag, which fit overhead. One purse and one box, both of which she placed in front of her feet - until a FA walked by and said those needed to be stowed.

The FA explicitly told her to place one item under the seat in front of her and the other item under the seat in front of me.

I've had seatmates in the past who helped themselves to space under the seat in front of me, and I've told them, "I think this is my space," and they've always relinquished it.

But if an FA actually tells my seatmate to help themselves to the space under the seat in front of me, then I'm at a loss. Should I have spoken up for myself?

And since when can you board with three items? Does a box - approx 2" x 10" x 20" - not count?

WineCountryUA

I would have (of course, that presumes I have only one item in the OHB).

UA's policy is pretty clear --
For Non-Basic Economy customers A purse is considered a personal item.

Was the third item purchased at the airport?
But the reality is enforcement of oversized bags and two many items is spotty

narvik

Spotty is right.
I find -over the last few years- the UA policy of carry on items disregarded more and more by passengers, and hardly ever enforced by UA. Pretty sure they will have to address this pretty soon.
(And don't get me started on backpacks.....too many times being hit in the head sitting down when a passenger decides to turn around JUST as they are next to my isle seat.)

Two Bee

At which time I would have said to the F/A, "That space that you just gave away is where my feet are going to go for the duration of this flight! You'd better find somewhere else to place the 3rd item that my seatmate brought on board!, as I AM NOT RELINQUISHING THE SPACE THAT I PAID FOR!"

I have been struggling with Plantar Fasciitisfor over a year, and there would be NO room for any further discussion - PERIOD!!!

As I mentioned many times, F/A's just make up things as they merrily fly around the happy skies, and could care less if you are comfortable, or not. I would have suggested that the F/A find room in the private closet where they hoard their crap, and a few jackets, up-front!

nlkm9

I carry a small Cpap bag, which is a medical device and it is not counted against the carry on limit of 2. Im also very considerate of my fellow travelers and try to consolidate so I dont have to use my cpap as my third item.

schley

I always use the space in front of me for my briefcase as long as I'm not in a bulkhead. I find people are either ignorant or just selfish when they load up the overhead bin with jackets/small bags, purses etc. Your primary space is the under the seat in front of you.

Also for the love of God DON'T close the overhead bins until everyone is on board! This is one of the worst airline policies, that you close it when it is "full". Well what happens? Yes the last few people go hunting for overhead space and have to open everything. Why close them until all are on board, people can see what is possible and what isn't.

JBord

This is actually a little shocking to me. Could it be that the FA assumed the two of you were traveling together? I can't imagine another instance where this would be acceptable. If I were ordered by a FA to give up my space for a neighbor, I'd first warn them both that I'm not responsible for any damage to the other passenger's item, and I'd certainly file a complaint with UA afterward (which I've done maybe 2 times in about 15 years as a regular UA customer).

chavala

I would just say (politely and with a smile), �No, sorry, that�s my space� and leave it at that.
I also think the FA must have thought you were together, although I did read about this same thing happeneing on another thread a while back.