Carry-On under the seat??

[tazleiten12]

I read a lot about people putting there carry-on luggage in the overhead bin. But the airline says you can also put it under your seat if it fits. Since i never see anyone talking about doing this, is this a bad idea? Just wondering if it would be easier to put it under the seat.
THANKS!

 

[WIDisneyFan]

First question on that is a simple one - how tall are you ? I am just over 6'4 so I will usually put things in the overhead bin as I need all the legroom I can get. I will say it is more convienent to have it under the seat, then no need to get up to get it out. So really it is just a matter of what works for you - both are fine

 

[CleveRocks]

I read a lot about people putting there carry-on luggage in the overhead bin. But the airline says you can also put it under your seat if it fits. Since i never see anyone talking about doing this, is this a bad idea? Just wondering if it would be easier to put it under the seat.
THANKS!

On an airliner, if you put luggage "under the seat," it's under the seat IN FRONT OF YOU, not under your own seat. Due to a physical barrier, you have no access to the space under your own seat -- that space is reserved for the person behind you.

So the problem becomes, if you pretty much fill the space under the seat in front of you, that leaves almost no room for your legs. If that space if filled by a carry-on, you'd have to sit up straight and keep your knees bent at a 90 degree angle with your feet flat on the floor directly under your knees. I don't prefer to sit that way for 10 minutes, let alone the length of a flight.

It may work if you have a very small carry-on and/or if you have very short legs.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can most definitely place your carry on/s under the seat in front of you, based on two conditions: first, naturally, there has to be a seat in front of you (won't be if you're in a bulkhead row; might very well not be if you're in an exit row but of course that depends on the plane); second, anything you place under that seat must fit entirely under the seat and not be sticking out at all into the space where your feet would go if they're planted firmly on the floor with your knees bent at about a 90º angle and your thighs parallel to the floor.
And the Flight Attendants will love you if you don't need to use overhead space Even with all carry on luggage within the size regulations and placed correctly (wheels out or handle out, using the full depth of the bin, so that three bags fit in each compartment), there's still not enough room for each passenger to carry on and stow such a bag.

 

[NotUrsula]

While it may be a legroom issue for tall people, the airlines not only let you put smaller bags under the seat in front of you, but actively encourage you to do so, as it leaves more room in the overhead bins for bags that will only fit in the overhead.

Most business travelers who are not especially tall will put a 20-22" rollaboard in the overhead and a briefcase under the seat. If what you have is briefcase-sized or smaller, the proper spot for it, IMO, *is* under the seat. (Remember that the folks who are sitting at the bulkheads do not have underseat storage available; anything that won't fit in the little pocket on the wall has to go in the overhead.)

 

[tazleiten12]

THANKS! I'm 5'6, my husband and I each have a 17" carry-on. I guess ill see how it fits under the seat 1st. My kids will each have a small backpack, i would think that would be good to put under the seat, as they could get to it easier. Also its small so it should fit without a problem.

 

[JulieEck]

The last time we flew, we each had a backpack. DH's was normal, mine was medium sized and DD's was a small one. We put them all under the seat in front of us. They were much easier to get to. Have a great flight!

 

[goofy4tink]

I very seldom use the overhead bins. Usually, I have a tote or a backpack that I just put under the seat in front of me, but it is usually thin enough to allow me to stretch my long legs out.
Now, last Nov when I flew down to Florida with my ds's cat, I had no such room for my legs. The cat carrier took up the whole underseat area. Thank heaven there were no people seated next to me...two empty seats beside me thanks to a very nice Song gate attendent who moved me so my cat wouldn't disturb anyone. That way I could sit sideways and stretch out.
I hate having to fly with my knees bent at that 90 degree mark.