Carry-on items falling from overhead storage bins struck about a third of responding flight attendants at least once during a one-year period. This was among the findings of a membership survey by the Association of Flight Attendants–Communications Workers of America (AFA-CWA). Most of the encounters resulted in relatively minor injuries in the “bruise” and “bump” categories, but “sprain,” “cut,” “puncture” and “abrasion” also were noted, as was one incident of “concussion.”
In comments collected in a qualitative part of the survey and supplied to AeroSafety World, some of these flight attendants said that the airline charges for checked baggage instituted in recent years had motivated passengers to bring more, and heavier, carry-ons into the cabin than were formerly allowed.
“It has gotten out of control,” said one flight attendant. “I believe that the airline’s policy of charging for the first checked bag has contributed to this in…
