When you confine a large number of people in a small space and provide a shared resource which is not sufficient for all to use, you have a recipe for conflict. There should be no surprise in that.

Dutyfree, I know you are with an airline and I am surprised to see you write, 'the overhead bins are for EVERYONE so play nice and share!'

I'm sure you know, that frequent travellers and I'm referring primarily to business travellers, do not want to play fair at all. It doesn't take much lurking on the Flyertalk forum to realize they are obsessed with several common things that relate to overhead bins.

1. What is the maximum size wheeled suitcase they can get into an overhead bin. Not, how much space is available to them in an overhead bin if everyone shares equally.
2. How can they get into airline premium membership classes so that they get early boarding and thus first chance of putting their bag in the overhead bins before all the space is taken up. Screw the last boarders, that's their problem if there is no space left for their bag.

Leisure travellers are not any more inclined to 'play nice' or think about anyone other than themselves in general either but business travellers actually WORK at finding a way to ge more than their fair share.

So saying, 'play nice and share' is either extremely naive or just ignoring reality.

Back to the original question, the flight is hardly the only time you will have to handle your own luggage. Once you arrive Europe you'll perhaps be needing to get it in & out of taxis, to & from hotels, on & off trains, etc.

After four decades of being a flight attendant, I am neither naive or ignoring reality. I have found that when you make people realize in a funny comment how ridiculous they are "blocking out their overhead bin" that they come back to their senses and regroup.
Trust me, I have seen alot in my years and have tried to have the patience of a saint but have found that boarding is one of the most trying times when flying in regards to carry on luggage!

It seems the real issue here is that the airline changed the flight, creating a problematic and perhaps impossible connection and has refused to accept responsibility. But since the OP has not responded for almost two weeks, what is the point in continuing the discussion? We already have a range of opinions, and no solutions.

I think they're in Europe now. I got the impression she was posting a day or two before they left. I hope she reports back when they return.

I'd say we have a range of suggested solutions not just opinions eliztravels2. Some more sensible than others.

Often a topic takes on a life of it's own. The OP only started it, they don't own it.

A "life of it's own" generally means tedium sets in with many of those joining the conversation not bothering to read the entire thread (I sympathize) and repeat what others have already said. I try not to add to discussions in which I haven't yet participated, assuming anything I might say has gone before and it just gets to be a bore. Certainly not informative (although there are those who have the knack to bore us early on too).