Why can't you always find a place for your luggage on the plane?
Anyone who has ever flown in economy class knows how difficult it is to find an empty overhead bin. If you're not in the first group to board a flight, you can often bid farewell to this storage space.
Speaking on the Jtrain podcast, former flight attendant Shawn Kathleen shared the truth about storing carry-on luggage. "An economy ticket does not guarantee passengers a seat on the top shelf," she explained, according to The Sun.
The travel veteran runs the Passenger Shaming Instagram account, where she shares stories about annoying and rude passengers. When asked what annoys her most about passenger transportation, Kathleen said that she is annoyed by the right to overhead storage.
"Everyone is going to hate to hear this, but a ticket does not entitle you to an overhead bin," she said.
Kathleen explained that the ticket only entitles you to travel from point A to point B. She added that the overhead compartments are for luggage only and should not be used to store personal items, including backpacks or duffel bags. These small items should be stored under the seat in front of you.
However, passengers often try to free up legroom by placing everything from coats to bags overhead.
"If you have overhead luggage space, it's just a bonus," Kathleen explained.
Conde Nast has shared its top tips on overhead bin etiquette during flights. The travel experts also explained that such carry-on luggage is not a passenger's right.
"The space above the seat is not guaranteed and is not reserved for those sitting in this row," the experts explained.
Flight attendant Michael Clip, who is based at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, pointed out an additional problem related to poor etiquette when it comes to carry-on storage bins.
"When the number of passengers in the aisle looking for an empty seat starts to grow, the likelihood of a flight being delayed increases," he explained.
So if you're hoping for a guaranteed overhead seat, crews recommend buying premium tickets for earlier boarding to improve your chances.
