Closing overhead bins before take off

[Buzzard]

At my seat I've been known to open an overhead bin and check for space just in case some selfish pax has closed it with just their bag in it.
After all, they don't own the bin.

 

[parsonstrish]

Flight from Dub-LHR 20/10 was madhouse. People with economy ticket putting bags in business bins, then flight attendants looking for space in business with economy hand luggage. They kept announcing for people to put coats, handbags under seat. One flight attendant asked a gentleman in business (unsure if they called it first or business) to put his coat under seat. As soon as flight attendant walked away he put it back in bin. I was in first row of economy, it was like a comedy hr. Unsure how long it delayed take off.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was on some flight last week... I think BA? The overhead bins for the Club cabin were closed on boarding, although empty. It seemed a good way to discourage economy pax putting their bags there.

 

[Happy Dude]

I've seen that one a number of times when paxing. Generally someone boards quite late, wanders into business, and simply takes an empty seat. I've never seen it work, but I guess it must for them to keep trying.

This was actually mentioned in a recent "Escape" article about airport hacks and getting a free upgrade. The only downside, according to the author who claimed to have a very high success rate, is the embarrassment at getting called out by the FAs and sent to your allocated seat.

It was a pretty juvenile and selfish article on the whole actually with other "hacks" focused on 'scamming' stuff you're not entitled to (eg additional carry on weight, priority boarding etc).

 

[GlennT]

I usually close the overhead locker after I stow my bag(s) to discourage anyone else from stuffing their bags in the same one.

I do the same. Works maybe 90% of the time.