PSA: If you’re the type to bring a backpack as your carry-on (instead of a roller bag), bring a small item alongside it so they can’t force you to put it under your seat.

Sometimes, the overhead bin space is full and flight attendants are “on the hunt” for people who used the overhead bin for both their roller bags and their personal stuff. Sometimes this leads to flight attendants removing backpacks from the overhead bins to make space for roller bags, then making the backpack owner put the backpack under their seat.

On multiple occasions, I’ve seen people who used a backpack as their one and only carry-on be forced to put the backpack under their seat. Even if they board early and the bins fill up, the flight attendants don’t have the time to sort out which backpacks are personal items.

My girlfriend is the type to pack a very full backpack instead of a roller bag as her carry on. She used to put her purse inside her backpack. Now she takes her purse out and uses it as her official personal item. That way, if this situation ever happens to her, it would be illegal for the flight attendant to ask her to put her backpack under her seat (as she would then have 2 personal items).

Thought I’d share.