A little courtesy goes a long way.

Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure

It happened to me on a flight from Toronto to New York.

Scanning the rows where my seat was located, I quickly noticed there was no overhead baggage space available.

A man puts up a yellow carryon bag in an overhead bin

Credit:Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure

Or so I thought.

Maam, said the voice of a clearly already annoyed man behind me.

Where is your seat?

Pre flight departure boarding - Over sized cabin baggage and luggage being stuffed into over head storage compartments that won’t close properly. Commuters pack to much luggage when travelling and avoid checked baggage costs at their own risk

Craig Hastings/Getty Images

However, this got me thinkingis everything I know about overhead bin space wrong?

Should I have moved my luggage behind my row?

The space above your seat is, for sure, not just yours.

Ann, an Alaska Air flight attendant who also wishes to stay anonymous, echoed this sentiment.

At Alaska, it’s all shared space within your cabin of service.

So, technically you don’t have your own space.

The first thing to consider is you are not the only passenger.

He also emphasizes the fact that smaller bags should be placed underneath the seat, not overhead.

Be respectful of those passengers boarding after you, he added.

Even for flight attendants, the answers vary.

However, Ann said her answer varies depending on what point of view she has that day.

As a passenger, I’d look for room in front of my seat.

This is mostly for ease of deplaning.

As a flight attendant, I would say find the spot closest to your seat.

This way, passengers can keep an eye on their belongings from their seat.

Whether it’s in front or behind varies in each situation, she said.

Don’t try and push past peoplethat’s just rude, he said.

Like anything, there’s an exception to the rule, even when that rule is already loosely enforced.

As the plane begins to fill up, luggage storage tends to get a bit trickier.

Business class paid for their space; you paid for your class.

give a shot to stick to it, unless there’s really no room.

But the crew needs to do that to avoid passenger conflict, said Jim.

Yes, even if the plane is not yet full.

However, this doesnt bode well for the passengers who paid extra for a bit of convenience.

They do not like that, she said.

If you get on late, I can’t guarantee you’ll have a spot.