I’m an airline worker – you use overhead bins on planes wrong & it causes issues

AN AIRLINE worker has revealed the mistakes passengers make when using the overhead bins on planes that cause problems for everyone else on board.

It can be a squeeze to fit everything needed in the overhead lockers, sometimes even causing arguments between passengers.

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However, there are hidden rules that passengers need to know that they often don’t follow.

Singapore Airlines’ public affairs manager Karl Schubert said that passengers should put their belongings in the bin nearest to their seat if possible.

However, if they can’t do that, they should tell a flight attendant instead of looking for space elsewhere.

He told Stuff.co.nz: “Singapore Airlines encourages customers to adhere to their cabin baggage allowance and use the overhead storage bins located as close to their designated seat as possible.

“Should a customer be unable to find an appropriate space in an overhead storage bin near their designated seat, our cabin crew will assist in finding a suitable space in another area of the cabin.”

Away from those main rules, the bins often work on a first-come first-served policy and moving other peoples’ luggage is bad etiquette.

The bins above the emergency exits, where passengers have no under-seat options to store their luggage, are also off-limits to other passengers not sitting in those seats.

Travel Editor Lindsay Rogers provided her guidance to travellers, to try and prevent future arguments over the overhead space.

According to Rogers, in an article for Inside Hook, she said that no one is entitled to overhead space and that the bins should work on a first-come, first-served basis.

She also clarifies that that is the case, even if someone sitting elsewhere on the plane is using the bin above your seat.

She wrote: “Overhead storage is available on a first-come, first-served basis. That’s true across most carriers.

“It may be annoying, particularly when someone has room above their own seat and still, for reasons unclear, has opted for yours, or when you’re invariably forced to check your carry-on because there’s no more space on the aircraft, you aren’t entitled to anything.”

Passengers have previously been urged to be mindful of other people when getting on board and using the overhead bins.

Flight attendant Nancy Lee told Travel Awaits: “If you are the first person on the plane, remember that the overhead bin isn’t all for you.

“Don’t put everything you own up there, even if you have long legs.

“Put one bag up there, and stow any second smaller item you have under the seat in front of you.”

Meanwhile, a flight attendant has revealed the question you should never ask them about the overhead lockers.

And this passenger was seen putting their toddler in the luggage bins.

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