Originally Posted by
Capt Fathom
The actions of just one selfish passenger getting their hand luggage could result in the death ....
But it never, in many evacs, ever has done. That's just hyperbole.
If hand luggage, particularly the modern oversized Wheeled Wonders, was such a hazard, then carriers should prevent it being carried on in the first place (as they all did a generation and more ago), and require it be put in the hold. It's been a wholly commercial decision to allow such large items in the cabin. As a study by Boeing some years ago into forward/rearward seating safety showed, the greater hazard in a sudden deceleration is not forward-facing (belted) pax being thrown forward, but rearward-facing (belted) pax being hit full in the face by large loose items flying forward.