In my case I think that’s what happened–people had “personal items” that were basically a second carry-on----that’s where the flight crew needs to be more vigilant and stop these space-hogs.
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A lot of carry ons are actually luggage that should technically be checked. Most US airlines don’t enforce size rules.
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I generally travel on trips that are over a week long. I go with one checked bag, a backpack and a small cross-body purse. I like having both hands free once I’ve checked my bag. I put the stuff I want accessible for the flight in the purse under my seat. I don’t feel guilty putting my backpack in the overhead even though it doesn’t have wheels. It’s generally the size of a smaller rollaboard. I don’t let it get too big and heavy because that would hurt my back and shoulders. I don’t think I should be disqualified from putting one item in the overhead bin just because I opt for a carryon without wheels.
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So in theory, is there enough space in overhead bins for a let’s say 85% full plane to have each person store a nice size backpack or wheeled carry on? Wonder what is the % capacity vs passengers.
I don’t think those numbers are publicly available. Before the 2000s there was an overhead bin space available for each seat. That’s how airplanes were designed, and you never fought for or worried about overhead space.
But then airlines figured they could pack more rows of seats closer together to increase revenue. The overhead bins remained the same, leading to the current crunch (which is made worse by airlines charging fees for checked baggage - remember when that was free?)
The good news is that some airlines like United have started retrofitting new larger bins to increase capacity.
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Depends on the type of bins and how passengers put the bags in.
Some aircraft now have Boeing Space Bins or Airbus Airspace XL bins that can have space for about one carryon bag per passenger. However, older bins tend to have space for about two bags for every three passengers.
But also, passengers need to put their bags in the bins the correct way to get that capacity. Many passengers do not, even though some airlines put instructions in the bins.
Below shows older bin on the left, newer bigger bin on the right. They also show optimal bag orientation for each bin.
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If you fly a short hop on a turboprop you have to be aware of smaller carry on sizes—15 inches, not 21 or 22. When we flew Dublin-Glasgow on a turboprop about half had smaller carry-ons and the rest were disappointed when their bags were taken away from them upon entering the plane (they were checked at no charge)
I’ve seen the bins packed that way - said no one ever. 
I don’t think I’ve ever tried to put my regulation carry on in length wise? Maybe I’m just not remembering…I feel like it goes in turned on it’s side…
LOL, this is all making me even more anxious to buy another smaller piece of luggage for a few days trip.
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Those big bins are the best! We are seeing more and more of them on United.
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In this photo of an older style bin (that could fit four full size carry-on bags if packed optimally), the green patterned suitcase on the left is put in incorrectly, wasting space. The red suitcase in the middle is put in correctly. The green soft bag on the right likely would fit under the seat.
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I see what you’re saying. If you’re the green patterned suitcase owner are you ok if I move your suitcase the “right” way so make more room? I feel like that could really set some passengers off.
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It should be ok to reposition that green patterned suitcase, but some passengers may get offended. One reason the owner may get offended is that their suitcase is slightly too large to fit the correct way (i.e. should have been checked, which they were trying to avoid due to checked baggage fees).
When I bring a full size carryon bag, I use a soft sided backpack that can squish to fit if necessary (generally not necessary, since it is within the usual size limitations of the bins).
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A couple of years ago I booked a flight Denver to Savannah, with a change in Nashville. I didn’t book the tight connection, it was SW’s route. Layover was scheduled for 50 minutes. But we left late and by the time we landed I had 18 minutes to make the connection. They had people who weren’t making connections stay in their seats while about 50 of us tried to make connections. I, of course, was in the back of the plane so we were climbing over people as they were standing stooped over their seats like racehorses in the gates so they could jump off.
I did make the connection and went to the bathroom on the way in 18 minutes (including needing to board 10 minutes before the flight leaves). One of my suitcases didn’t make the connection. Didn’t get it for 3 days. I have a new wardrobe i call my SW clothes, all beachwear.
I was told 'we do this ALL the time and people make their flights and so does the luggage." Well, they were half right, I did make the flight but my luggage didn’t. And why does it happen ALL the time? Seems to be bad scheduling.
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I was on a United flight where they instructed people to put their rolling bags on, wheels out, ‘like books on a shelf’, so like in the ‘modern photo’ above. It really did make a big difference to get 4-5 wheeled bags in each bin.
Out west, one of the problems is that many people want to put cowboy hats in the bins and don’t want them crushed, so a hat is taking up as much room as a suitcase.
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If I had to squash my Chicago style popcorn in my personal item, I have no sympathy for those cowboy hats 
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is that near the front of the plane? I have a standard 22" roll-a-board which fits easily in 90% of the bins, but on the occasion I get an upgrade to 1st, the bins may not be as deep in Rows 1 & 2, requiring me to turn my bag sideways. (Flight Attendant approved.).
Absolutely not. Teh polite way it to ask permission: hello, who owns this green bag? Can I reposition it so I can squeeze my bag in?
See my other post. I had my bag turned sideways per the FA’s instructions, yet a late-arriving passenger had a conniption and kept complaining to the FA that my bad should be moved. The FA kept saying No, but other pax kept complaining.
Don’t touch other people’s stuff.
On United, the first row or two sometimes don’t even have a usable bin (they’re used for storing equipment or reserved for crew). Very infuriating!
Complaints about pre-boarders on Southwest exploiting the system:
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/southwest-airlines-preboarding-cheaters-c71a88a5
Steve Maziarka, a national account manager who lives near Southwest’s hub at Chicago’s Midway Airport, counted about 30 preboarders in line on his Thanksgiving weekend flight from Denver to Chicago. He spotted almost as many on a business trip from Philadelphia to Chicago in February. Both instances limited his seat choices. (Exit-row seats are the only seats Southwest bars preboarders from grabbing.)
“People are taking advantage of the system,” says Maziarka, who has the airline’s top frequent-flier status. “It’s just gotten out of control.”
…
Southwest may find the answer as it fixes a more pressing issue: lackluster revenue. For the first time since 2006, the airline says it is seriously considering assigning seats.
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I mentioned this earlier in the thread. A lot of people pre-board in wheelchairs but then somehow don’t need wheelchairs to get off the plane.
There are some legitimate and some who abuse the system and people who follow the rules don’t like it and will not fly the airline, myself included.
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