3 ms·

This one I do know. Because sometimes all the overhead bins get filled and then you are forced to keep your backpack under the seat which is not very comfortabl

This one I do know. Because sometimes all the overhead bins get filled and then you are forced to keep your backpack under the seat which is not very comfortable. Happened to me once or twice because I was the last one to board. Not sure if that's true for other countries though.

rahimnathwani 8y ago
"Because sometimes all the overhead bins get filled and then you are forced to keep your backpack under the seat" Overhead bins are for carry-on items that cannot fit under the seat in front of you. If your backpack fits under the seat in front of you, but you put it in the overhead bin, then you are the reason the overhead bins are full.
- superasn 8y ago
  Oh okay. Good to know, honestly did not know that is the policy and at least in India all the overhead bins are filled with mostly backpacks and small items only (but then we're a country of rule breakers so it doesn't come as a surprise to me). It's mostly ladies handbags which I've seen people put under seats only. Regardless will remember this next time. Thanks.
  - rahimnathwani 8y ago
    Sorry! 90% of my long-haul flights have been with US/European airlines, which all have similar rules and announcements. The last time I flew Air India was many years ago, and I have no idea what their policy and in-flight instructions are like. Most people flying economy class on long-haul flights are allowed to bring on board one carry-on (e.g. small rolling suitcase) one personal item (e.g. handbag or laptop backpack) and a coat. The personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. An example from United: https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/BaggageCarry-On.aspx https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/BaggageCarry-O... "The maximum dimensions for your personal item that fits under the seat in front of you..." But apparently Air India doesn't allow any bag as a 'personal item' UNLESS it's a lady's hand bag: http://www.airindia.in/hand-luggage.htm http://www.airindia.in/hand-luggage.htm
  - foobarchu 8y ago
    That's fascinating to me. On domestic US flights, the overhead bins are almost exclusively filled with roller-bag luggage, such that if a flight is actually full the last people to board are guaranteed to have to 'valet check' anything they have that doesn't fit under the seat (essentially it becomes a checked bag, and you collect it at the destination). Usually the half hour prior to flights will be filled with attendants making a call over the loudspeaker for any volunteers to have their bags checked for free. It's also the primary reason you see people rushing to get on board early, they want that precious overhead bin space for their rollerbags.
    - pjungwir 8y ago
      This really only started after 9/11 when airlines started charging for your first checked bag. Before that most people brought smaller carry-ons and checked more. (Why lug all your stuff around if you don't have to?) But now lots of people are trying to fit everything into their carry-on to avoid fees, so they fill up much faster and have wall-to-wall roller bags.
      - foobarchu 8y ago
        There's also a mistrust of airlines themselves at play. Many people refuse to check their bags unless they absolutely have to, out of fear that their luggage will be lost. It's never happened to me personally, but I've heard enough stories from people who have experienced it to be fearful myself.
- Macha 8y ago
  If instead of bringing 1 roller bag and 1 backpack, I bring 1 backpack, why shouldn't I be able to out my backpack in the overhead? I'm still only taken up 1 bags worth of space, and in fact less. If my reward for travelling lighter is to have to put my bag under the chair and therefore have an unreasonably cramped seating area, what's the point? I'll just bring a roller bag, and have only a laptop in my backpack and now you're just as badly off.
  - rahimnathwani 8y ago
    Yes, totally reasonable. You are not alone: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-airlines-rapid-rewards/929406-do-you-agree-if-you-have-small-bag-please-put-under-your-seat.html https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-airlines-rapid-rew...
kazinator 8y ago
Still not a reason for a row 19 person to board when rows 45-50 are called.

rahimnathwani 8y ago

"Because sometimes all the overhead bins get filled and then you are forced to keep your backpack under the seat" Overhead bins are for carry-on items that cannot fit under the seat in front of you. If your backpack fits under the seat in front of you, but you put it in the overhead bin, then you are the reason the overhead bins are full.

superasn 8y ago
Oh okay. Good to know, honestly did not know that is the policy and at least in India all the overhead bins are filled with mostly backpacks and small items only (but then we're a country of rule breakers so it doesn't come as a surprise to me). It's mostly ladies handbags which I've seen people put under seats only. Regardless will remember this next time. Thanks.
- rahimnathwani 8y ago
  Sorry! 90% of my long-haul flights have been with US/European airlines, which all have similar rules and announcements. The last time I flew Air India was many years ago, and I have no idea what their policy and in-flight instructions are like. Most people flying economy class on long-haul flights are allowed to bring on board one carry-on (e.g. small rolling suitcase) one personal item (e.g. handbag or laptop backpack) and a coat. The personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. An example from United: https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/BaggageCarry-On.aspx https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/Pages/BaggageCarry-O... "The maximum dimensions for your personal item that fits under the seat in front of you..." But apparently Air India doesn't allow any bag as a 'personal item' UNLESS it's a lady's hand bag: http://www.airindia.in/hand-luggage.htm http://www.airindia.in/hand-luggage.htm
- foobarchu 8y ago
  That's fascinating to me. On domestic US flights, the overhead bins are almost exclusively filled with roller-bag luggage, such that if a flight is actually full the last people to board are guaranteed to have to 'valet check' anything they have that doesn't fit under the seat (essentially it becomes a checked bag, and you collect it at the destination). Usually the half hour prior to flights will be filled with attendants making a call over the loudspeaker for any volunteers to have their bags checked for free. It's also the primary reason you see people rushing to get on board early, they want that precious overhead bin space for their rollerbags.
  - pjungwir 8y ago
    This really only started after 9/11 when airlines started charging for your first checked bag. Before that most people brought smaller carry-ons and checked more. (Why lug all your stuff around if you don't have to?) But now lots of people are trying to fit everything into their carry-on to avoid fees, so they fill up much faster and have wall-to-wall roller bags.
    - foobarchu 8y ago
      There's also a mistrust of airlines themselves at play. Many people refuse to check their bags unless they absolutely have to, out of fear that their luggage will be lost. It's never happened to me personally, but I've heard enough stories from people who have experienced it to be fearful myself.
Macha 8y ago
If instead of bringing 1 roller bag and 1 backpack, I bring 1 backpack, why shouldn't I be able to out my backpack in the overhead? I'm still only taken up 1 bags worth of space, and in fact less. If my reward for travelling lighter is to have to put my bag under the chair and therefore have an unreasonably cramped seating area, what's the point? I'll just bring a roller bag, and have only a laptop in my backpack and now you're just as badly off.
- rahimnathwani 8y ago
  Yes, totally reasonable. You are not alone: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-airlines-rapid-rewards/929406-do-you-agree-if-you-have-small-bag-please-put-under-your-seat.html https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-airlines-rapid-rew...

kazinator 8y ago

Still not a reason for a row 19 person to board when rows 45-50 are called.