We were on a US Airways flight where the stewardess took our 1 carry on item that was stowed overhead and removed it to let a crew pilot who was "deadheading" put his carry on bag in its place. Moreover, she did it quietly, trying not to let us see what she was doing. She was walking to the front of the plane with it when I realized it was our luggage and objected. We would not even have known where our luggage was when we landed. Moreover, the "deadheading" pilot loudly told me that if I objected I "could rent my own plane." We already had paid $30 to US Airways for our two pieces of luggage to be checked aboard at the counter. It seems that US Airways management does not value their passengers. Just keeps charging us!!!They seem to allow their crew to use up the overhead space, and do not care that passengers are inconvenienced. US Airways should fire that off-duty pilot and reprimand the sneaky stewardess.

Why does this post sound really familiar - did you post it here recently under a different screen name or am I confused?

I'm not sure I understand how you were so dreadfully inconvenienced. If they gate checked your bag it would have been waiting for you on the jetway as you deplaned.

Happens all the time and it's not a big deal.

What's the problem? You sound like a whiner.

Obviously not there - so don;t know exactly what happened.

And gate checking luggage is no big deal - if the plane is full and you know it's happening. But to remove a passenger's luggage without telling them is a complete no-no. How long would they have been looking for it at the end of the flight - perhaps thinking another traveler had moved it?

IMHO in this kind of situation you should just stand firm and take names. Then if it becomes a problem you know who to complain about - to the airline - which will do a lot more good than mentioning it here.

(All airlines create minor problems - and a report like this isn't going to change anybody's travel plans.)

The point is that you don't move someone else's bag just to make room for yours. It's a good thing you saw her moving it or you definitely would have been in a panic upon landing! Why not put the pilot's bag in the same place she was taking yours? Unfortunately, there's probably nothing you can do....except don't fly US Airways. I always fly Delta and have had a few "not so friendly" flight attendants but mostly very pleasant people who were willing to help make you comfortable.

The stewardess "was walking to the front of the plane with it when I realized it was our luggage and objected. We would not even have known where our luggage was when we landed."

I am a consumer who does not like being mistreated. Do you work for the airlines? It is well known that the airlines review messages tht relate to consumer harassment!

My reply was directed to:
J62,and "Marginal."

"The point is that you don't move someone else's bag just to make room for yours"

I've done this several times . . When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it.

I use a carryon that almost fits under the seat in front of me. It fits well enough that I've never been told to move it.

Overhead bin space can be scarce so I try not to rely on it, but I would also be pi**ed if someone moved my bag for an employee's. Especially if my bag was there first.

"When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it."

And how is it that you know it was someone who is sitting in the rear of the plane rather than someone who is sitting in the row in front or the row behind you?

While I don't like it when people sitting in the rear of the plane fill the bins in the front either, I'm sure the "stew" would not appreciate being put in the middle of your power play.

Geez, I hate flying these days.

"They seem to allow their crew to use up the overhead space, and do not care that passengers are inconvenienced"

farrihy1, this sounds like pure insinuation. How do you know this is what you perceive it to be?

"And how is it that you know it was someone who is sitting in the rear of the plane rather than someone who is sitting in the row in front or the row behind you?
"

. . I ask . . . and if there is no one in front or behind, that;' a pretty good indication of what happened . .

"I'm sure the "stew" would not appreciate being put in the middle of your power play.

They seem to now exactly what is going on . . and have yet to fail to grin and take it.

First: If the pilot really said that to you, and the steward really moved your luggage for no apparent reason, and nothing has been embellished here, then you could make a complaint. Of course, then the steward, who only moved the bag to get the sexually harrassing jerk of a pilot off her case may get fired, and her child will be saying bye bye Mama when she has her breakdown. But do what you gotta do.

Second: If when my feeble grandmother boards the plane and asks some nice man to help her with her bag, proceeds to her seat at the back of the plane.....can she sue Rich for diress, when she has heart palpitations thinking her bag was stolen for a good few minutes. Can the passengers behind her sue Rich for the delay getting off the plane as Nana panics and they miss their connecting flight?

Carry-on baggage might have medication in it, or something very important. Nobody has a right to move it without your permission, except to re-arrange luggage in the same compartment.

Overhead compartments aren't assigned to anyone in any particular row, in fact some compartments are full of oxygen equipment etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if airlines start charging $5 to use the overhead compartments....everyone else has to stow underfoot.

"can she sue Rich for diress, when she has heart palpitations thinking her bag was stolen for a good few minutes. Can the passengers behind her sue Rich for the delay getting off the plane as Nana panics and they miss their connecting flight?"

Rich is long gone from the plane by the time granny hits the floor . .

"When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it."

What a great idea. I'm going to use that next time!

I think we are getting a feel for who the jackasses are that put their luggage in the bins up front, then go to their seats at the back . . .

They can charge for the overhead bin and make the toilets coin operated while they're at it all.