Unfortunately for me, I have never been able to keep quiet under such circumstances. I always speak up. I guess this is the big reason why I am still seething as I did not speak up enough and escalate this issue to the purser/captain. I just never, ever let anyone bully me. I feel like I let myself down by letting it go.

I read the OP, and said as much in my initial post -- because the bag didn't fit underneath the seat in front of her, it wasn't a personal item and therefore it belonged in the overhead. Most backpacks will fit underneath the seat; hers did not. Once the FA saw that, that should have been the end of the discussion.

I respectively disagree with you Kacee. I'm willing to bet this sort of thing hardly ever happens to you (assuming you're a man). It happens to women ALL THE TIME. Some of us are getting really sick of it (and that is putting it mildly!).

I think it happens to all of us who fly frequently, in various degrees. So yes, I have absolutely been in situations where FAs have pulled similar nonsense on me. Onboard the aircraft is really not a smart place to be asserting your rights. Especially not when the issue has already been resolved in your favor (which is a point that people seem to be missing here).

Got it, I didn't see your initial post, just your last one. Apologies!

The FA getting in the last sentence with "You wanna try me?" as if he's Clint Eastwood does not sound "resolved" to me. It's a threat, plain and simple.
Obviously the OP is still upset about this. (I'm still seething over the (male) FA who tapped me on the head with a rolled up magazine a few months ago, so I completely understand).
I believe it's time to assert our rights no matter where we are.

If you feel strongly enough about this issue to risk arrest, that's your choice. Personally, I am content to let small people have their "victories" when all it costs me is loss of face -- in an environment where I'll likely never see any of those people again.

The risk / reward ratio just seems way out of whack here.

Exactly.... as I mentioned in one of my posts, had he not come back for round 2, we would not be discussing this issue. The fact that the FA felt he needed to bully me to feel good did not sit well with me. At that point, a kind-of-resolved-situation became an active altercation.

This has nothing to do with loss of face or saving face. At that point, I could not care less who was watching me. I just hate being taken advantage of or being bullied or being threatened - especially when I know I am right. It is a matter of standing up for what is right. Once again, if I had the luxury of delaying my arrival at home, I absolutely would have taken the risk of being deplaned.

In addition to making bags free, we also need to make the handling on the ground (care in loading/unloading, wait times) better so people would be more encouraged to check bags...
It's not uncommon to find a totally empty bin on a fairly full B737 flight in Japan, so to me it feels like a US problem (Maybe EU too? never flown there).

Did you ever get a response from United?

You weren't just risking being deplaned. You would have risked being arrested and jailed for interfering with a flight crew. You were right. But would it have been worth the cost to prove it?

Personally, I think you made a prudent decision, and I wouldn't beat myself up for it. In life, you often need to pick your battles; this isn't one I would have picked. In my opinion, this is something best handled after-the-fact by complaining to UA, which it seems like you've done.

There's a recent BA thread with a similar scenario.
And it's equally disgusting.

Some bring half their belongings AND the kitchen sink onboard and expect overhead space, and believe it's fair the single laptop bag of another passenger be displaced.

I didn't say a backpack, I said a personal item sized bag. Personal items have a clear definition < 9x10x17 (=1530 Cubic Inches) vs a carry on which can be < 22x9x14 (=2,272 Cubic Inches). Even the largest personal item will take at most 33% less overhead space. ESPECIALLY if that is the ONLY item the person is carrying. Remember, the large carryon-crowd rarely travels with just one bag. They generally have at least two.

So a One-bagger like myself (personal item or less size) takes 1530 cubic inches of overhead space, while the average flyer travels with 1,530 Cubic inches + 2,272 Cubic inches = 3,802 Cubic Inches.


When I'm standing in the boarding lane, look around and realize I'm carrying ~60% LESS carry-on baggage than everyone else, I don't feel particularly morally obligated to accommodate their extra bags at the cost of my legroom. Call me selfish, but again... I'm already taking at LEAST 33% less overhead than nearly everyone else... and realistically closer to 60-70% less based on my typical loadout.

*For those carrying multiple bags, I agree 1 should be stored underseat where feasible.

See how much the airlines have programmed us into believing something that is absolutely not true. Do you really believe that the Captain would have sided with the FA on this one? But somehow the fear of arrests and jail has been put into us for questioning even the most minor decisions by FAs. I would like to believe that it is not the norm (arrests/jail) as long as I am reasonable in my stance.