> The problem is, you aren't just delaying yourself by 1 second, you're also delaying the other 100 people behind you by 1 second. And if you multiply the risks

> The problem is, you aren't just delaying yourself by 1 second, you're also delaying the other 100 people behind you by 1 second. And if you multiply the risks involved by 100, the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis changes dramatically. In you analogy you are assuming that those people cannot perform that operation at the same time. Opening overhead compartments will take longer time, also having baggage in front/behind you takes space for other people. IMO I don't understand though concern about grabbing handbags or items that are not in overhead compartments. Since it is quick and those are generally small items.