[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Looking upon use of the overhead bin as a favor, to be doled-out at the whim of the cabin crew, is probably the only “safe” way to travel. One of the few things the crew CAN’T do is to blatantly discriminate, such as saying “no Arab-looking passengers may use the overhead.”* Talk to US Airways about the latter and the court settlement they were forced into. While the same unknowns, technically, apply to first class if you fly with an airline that bans coach passengers from using the first class bins you may be in luck. Otherwise, look-up the maximum allowed dimensions in the Contract of Carriage, or elsewhere on the airline’s website; if you will be travelling on a (connecting) commuter aircraft use the dimensions applicable to that aircraft, not a larger “mainline” aircraft; note the restrictions as to number of pieces for crowded flights; put tape measure to carry-on; resign yourself to the idea of flying with your kneecaps on your chin; and pray you don’t encounter a gate agent, or flight attendant, who decided to make-up their own set of rules.

* For the benefit of that mob of 66% (suppressed control freaks, drunks, and lesser offenders): Yes, I know, the case against US Airways in Minneapolis did NOT involve usage of the overhead bin, but rather whether or not passengers could dictate what ethnic group is, or is not, allowed to board—hence garden variety discrimination.