Overhead bins for large items ONLY??
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 671
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.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
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.
#18
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Complaining to UA post-flight is fine. "Standing up" to the FA is likely to get you booted off the aircraft. And once that happens, your complaint will typically get zero traction, because the airline will back the crew.
Really, this does not strike me as a grave injustice worthy of the amount of mental energy you are apparently spending on it.
Really, this does not strike me as a grave injustice worthy of the amount of mental energy you are apparently spending on it.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Conditioning us to fight for OH bin space via checked bag fees is the turning point in air travel, IMO. It made flying a competition with fellow passengers, and led to BG number mattering. It’s too late now, because we are so conditioned to compete that even marking checked bags free again wouldn’t help.
OP, my strategy with OH space is to follow FA instructions and flow with it. It’s a war that can’t really be won, even if you’re in the right.
OP, my strategy with OH space is to follow FA instructions and flow with it. It’s a war that can’t really be won, even if you’re in the right.
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
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).
#22
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
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).
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.
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
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.
The risk / reward ratio just seems way out of whack here.
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 671
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.
The risk / reward ratio just seems way out of whack here.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 8, 2019 at 11:57 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#25
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BOS
Programs: JMB, AMC
Posts: 178
Conditioning us to fight for OH bin space via checked bag fees is the turning point in air travel, IMO. It made flying a competition with fellow passengers, and led to BG number mattering. It’s too late now, because we are so conditioned to compete that even marking checked bags free again wouldn’t help.
OP, my strategy with OH space is to follow FA instructions and flow with it. It’s a war that can’t really be won, even if you’re in the right.
OP, my strategy with OH space is to follow FA instructions and flow with it. It’s a war that can’t really be won, even if you’re in the right.
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).
#26
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
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.
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.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
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.
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.
#28
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
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.
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.
#29
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Not if you then put that item, which would fit into your personal space under the seat in front of you, into the shared overhead space. At best, you're no more courteous than anyone else who follows the rules. A backpack and a full-size carry-on take up a surprisingly similar amount of usable space in the overhead, unless there happens to be another passenger who is also putting a backpack up and they can fit atop one another.
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.
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 671
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.
The risk / reward ratio just seems way out of whack here.