Use of the overhead compartment

[twinklebug]

I'm just curious how many folk actually use the overhead compartment in airplanes.

Of the countless flights I've taken on my own and with my kids I can recall only using the overhead twice.... simply because we had a 1yo and a 4yo and needed the diaper bag with the extra changes of clothes (err... we hit turbulence and boy did those come in handy! )

Other than those two times I tend to keep my carry on items at my feet for convenience and security. I've seen people get up to claim their overhead bags at the end of a flight only to find them missing or opened with items missing (yup - twice someone was bold enough to go through another person's luggage right in front of everyone! One time a laptop was missing, not sure about the other.)

 

[goofy4tink]

I think I actually use the overhead bin about 45% of the time. We usually each have a carryon bag that is tote-like, and goes under the seat. We can fit what we need in those.
But, if I'm traveling with carryon only, I put my rolling duffle in the overhead...it usually fits perfectly and my personal item under the seat.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm afraid your poll is flawed. The answer probably depends on what airline you're flying.

I usually fly SW. I can check 2 bags for free. I may check a carry on sized bag going if I think I'll be purchasing fragile stuff and want to put that bag in the bin on my return trip. Generally I'd rather check a bag rather "schlep" it through the airport and on the plane.

Different answer if an airline charges to check bags. Long trip I'll bring a "bin bag" before I'll pay to check a second bag. I might go with "one bin" bag per family member, and only one checked bag for my entire family, if I'm flying with an airline that has high checked bag fees.

Posters chasing money losing, deeply discounted, fares from airlines like Allegiant seem to max out their carryon allowance so they can reduce (or eliminate) the number of bags they have to pay to check.

 

[maurene]

I specifically buy and bring the largest carry-on bags that will fit under the seat. With a little one (or now two), I just find it so much easier to have the stuff always near me (and I'm usually in the middle seat with the car seat next to the window). I will put my jacket/coat in the overhead, if I have one.

DH is the opposite. I'm not sure his carry-on would always fit under the seat. And he prefers to keep it overhead. He'll pull out his reading materials and ipod and stuff them in the backseat pocket, and then he's good to go. If I'm traveling with him, I will have him put the kids change of clothes in his carry-on bag (and maybe some extra diapers) - things we probably won't need during the flight.

 

[ancestry]

For us the answer is "it depends." It depends on how long the trip is and which airline we are flying on. I rarely put anything down by my feet because I have very long legs. If the person in front of me reclines their seat I have to extend my feet underneath the seat and therefore can't stow a bag under there.

For this trip there are four of us on Jet Blue. Since we are able to each check a bag without an additional fee we won't be taking much into the cabin. I'll have a purse/bookbag and DH will have his computer bag and the kids won't have anything.

Last year on Air Tran we didn't check luggage so we each carried on one luggage bag and one personal item - all of which went in the overhead bin above our seats. When we do this we carry "soft sided" luggage bags and therefore were able to fit everything for all four of us into one bin.

 

[twinklebug]

I think I actually use the overhead bin about 45% of the time. We usually each have a carryon bag that is tote-like, and goes under the seat. We can fit what we need in those.
But, if I'm traveling with carryon only, I put my rolling duffle in the overhead...it usually fits perfectly and my personal item under the seat.

Hey goofy4tink, I was trying to figure out a way to add percentages to the poll (all the time, half the time, airline dependent etc) The engineer side of me was making it too complicated, so I simplified and this is what we have (as my mom tells me, I used the KISS approach: keep it simple stupid)

 

[clanmcculloch]

We typically fly SWA so 2 free checked bags each. We don't need to try to save money by bringing bags onboard. All I bring onboard with us is stuff we'll potentially need/want during the flight as well as medication. I don't want to have to worry about scrounging around in the overhead bin to find something mid-flight so we just keep our stuff under the seat in a smaller bag. My girls each bring their own bags and DH and I share one (the one with the medications) which goes under the seat in front of me. He's tall with long lets (6'3") while I'm rather short (5'4") so he needs the leg room while I don't.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I'm somewhere in between depending on the trip. Generally we stay on property and use ME ...in those instance we each have a backpack (dh may have two if he has his laptop) that gets stowed under the seat and then there is one small rolling carryon that we all share that gets put in the overhead bin.

Next month we are renting a car so the kids (8 & 4) need booster seats. We will be bringing low back boosters for each of them. Both boosters will be going in the overhead bin.

When the kids were in harnessed seats we regularly used them on the plane (even when using ME upon arrival) and I won't bury the booster seats in our luggage or even gate check them because I want to ensure that they will arrive with us and not be damaged!!

 

[skiingfast]

I can only think of one trip were I used and overhead compartment. It was short so I carried my clothing with me. Usually I have to check a bag when I fly so I put as much as I can into bag so I don't have to carry it through the airports. I only carry on stuff I want while on the plane. Books, Lunch DVD player ect. I want all this stuff under the seat so I can take it out and stow it easily.

 

[Manda]

We rarely check bags, so we usually use the overhead bins. We each carry a roller bag that goes in the overhead and then a tote or backpack or whatever that goes under the seat. We fly SWA, too, but I prefer to avoid the check-in process and not have to wait for my bags or risk them going on their own vacation without me.

 

[crashbb]

I almost always use the overhead compartment. If the bins are full, I can stick my bag under the seat in front of me, but I prefer not do to so.

When boarding, I have everything I need quick access to (i.e. book, gum, IPOD) in my hand and can have the bag in the overhead bin and my seatbelt on in about 15 seconds. I sit in the aisle, so if I do need something (after the seatbelt sign is off), I don't bother anyone when accessing the overhead bin.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We always put our own carryon bags in the overhead bin.

 

[Taja]

My rolling laptop bag doesn't fit under the seat, so the overhead compartment is essential. I do lock it before boarding the plane, though.

I'm short, so getting the bag into the overhead compartment is a bit challenging. I practice putting it on top of the refrigerator at home so I know I can lift it by myself. Always appreciate a helping hand from someone taller, though. Just that little extra push! *LOL*

 

[DebbieB]

I rarely carry-on my regular luggage. When I travel for work, I have my laptop bag and it's pretty big so I put it in the overhead. When I travel for vacation, I typically keep my smaller laptop bag underneath the seat.

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

I think I actually use the overhead bin about 45% of the time.

 

[ElizabethG]

I put a small bag with everyones swim suits and pajamas (etc). in the overhead. Just the personal items we may need the day we arrive. We like ME to deliver the luggage. I carry another shoulder bag with the things we'll need on the plane (personal electronics, food, etc). So, two carry-ons for our family of 4 - one overhead and one at my feet.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Never used the overhead.
I'm always amazed at the size of the bags some folks try to cram in those bins. Last flight we took, some guy was actually hammering on the bag with his fists in a desperate (but unsuccessful) effort to get it to fit.

 

[tam626]

I really love it when people put their carry on in the overhead going longways & take up extra room. Also, I love it when someone puts their tiny laptop or briefcase up there, when it would clearly fit under the seat.

 

[goofy4tink]

Did I say something funny??

 

[uva185]

I'm afraid your poll is flawed.

It's also missing the option "The flight attendants and coach passengers put all their bags in the First Class overhead so I am forced to gate checked my bag"