This is the real problem. It used to be free to check bags, so not everyone needed a carry-on. Now it costs money to check a bag so everyone needs a carry-on pl

This is the real problem. It used to be free to check bags, so not everyone needed a carry-on. Now it costs money to check a bag so everyone needs a carry-on plus a personal item (in practice, a giant backpack that they shove their whole purse, laptop, and jacket into before awkwardly stashing it protruding out from under your seat and into the back of your feet). There used to be extra room in all that overhead storage for a ton of blankets and pillows.