Single small carry-on MUST go under seat?
As it turns out, no real problem ever came up, but I'm wondering about this situation in the future:
Last week, I'm traveling from Washington National to O'hare. I have two pieces with me: a small carry-on suitcase, and a very modest computer bag.
Because I want to be confortable, and I know what it's going to be like when I board the plane, I check the small carry-on suitcase, even though it would have easily fit into an overhead bin. And, I paid $20.00 for the priviledge of doing so.
When I fly economy, it's my choice to fly in the rear of the plane, so I was in an early group to board. I placed my very-modest-sized computer bag in an overhead bin.
The flight was 100% full...not a single open seat. Listening to the FA announcements while boarding continued, I heard that if you have two carry-ons only one can be in a bin, and the other must go under your seat.
So far, in the above description, everything is normal. Now the part I question:
The flight attnedant announced that if you only had one carry-on, and it was small, like "a purse, briefcase or computer bag, you must put it under the seat in front of you to save the overhead bin space for passengers who have wheeled carry-ons."
REALLY?? I go to the trouble of checking a bag that I could legally bring on board, and pay to do it, and now I'm denied the ability to put the one (smaller) piece that I have with me in an overhead bin??!!
Is this within company tarriffs?
As I said in the beginning, it really never became an issue; I was never asked to remove my small piece from the bin and place it under the seat.
But I'm wondering.....could the airline demand that I do that?
I'm wondering because:
On the one hand, I have as much a right to use the overhead bins as the next guy, and hey, I'm even using a smaller part of the bin than most;
on-the-other-hand, is there something such as "you must obey the flight crew" even if said crew is dilusional and making whacky demands?
What do you think? I want to know, 'cause I'm *sure* that this situation will come up again!
Thanks!
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