Shorter Folks Need Overhead Bin Assistance

December 30, 2009

in Luggage Stories

I am a short woman, less than 5 feet and I was flying from SFO to BOS. I had a carry on and could not lift it to the overhead bins. I asked a flight attendant to help me because I was afraid I would drop it on the person sitting below. She said that she would assist me if needed. I did need her help, else I would not have asked. Alas the bag did drop, hitting a passenger. Thankfully the person my bag dropped on helped me place my bag accordingly.

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

mom2two December 31, 2009 at 8:27 am

I'm short too…. but I stand on the aisle seat to place my (and my family's) belongings in the overhead bins. If that seat is occupied, the person sitting there will typically ask me if I need help – I suppose because he/she is afraid I will drop things on them. For the record, I have and can lift any carryons myself and above my head – sometimes the bins are just too tall to reach!!

Reply

Sam December 31, 2009 at 9:13 am

What airline was it

Reply

Diana December 31, 2009 at 9:41 am

I asked a flight attendant to help me put a bag in the overhead bin once because I'm short as well and it was a bit too heavy for me to lift. She was like "Well, if you can't handle it, what makes you think I'd be able to? Ask one of the male passengers to help you." She was rude.

Reply

D.V. December 31, 2009 at 10:22 am

While it would be nice if the flight attendants would offer some assistance to those who cannot quite reach the overhead bins, apparently they are not required to help, and it seems some of them are running with that notion.

Since they either won't or can't assist you, have you considered checking your bags instead, OR… using carry-on luggage that's small enough to fit under the seat in front of you so you don't have to struggle with the overhead bins?

Reply

Jim January 5, 2010 at 10:45 am

I agree with D.V. Don't travel with more than you personally can handle….check your luggage, or travel lightly enough to put under the seat in front of you. I want to be self-sufficient…because, I do not want to have to rely on the kindness of others….or, inconvenience others in order to help me.

Several months ago, a woman asked me to assist her with her very large and heavy luggage…she was attempting to put it in the bin above my seat. So, I got up to help…and, the bin was full. She then proceeded to tell me to move other luggage around, so hers would fit… I informed her, the luggage in the bin was not mine…and, I was not going to move someone elses belongings…she became infuriated with me…and started yanking other peoples luggage out…when a flight attendant came by and assisted. People are quite rude…and, continue to insist to carry on more than they should

Reply

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *




Previous post:

Next post: