Originally Posted by
dead_pan
From my personal experience PAX are deterred from putting luggage into the hold by the costs levied by airlines, also the wait times at their destination, the risk (albeit small) of luggage going astray or it missing a connection etc.
Absolutely right. If you knew the overhead lockers to be were locked whenever the seat belt sign was lit, in the event of an emergency or whatever, you'd make sure you had the essentials (passport, phone, wallet, meds, phone chargers...) on your person. Sheesh before you know it the airport shops would be offering all manner of shoulder holsters for this stuff.
I think the only realistic solution would be for airlines to switch to "rolling cart overhead bins" placed on the jetway where passengers would place large carry on items. These would reappear at destination jetway shortly after landing. Already done to some extent for small regional jets.
This would get around the very rational resistance to even free checked bags..
Passengers then limited to one under seat carry on, although not ideal those are much less likely to cause a jam in an evacuation.
This would significantly speed both boarding and especially exit times.
Retrofitting locks is not going to happen and has all the already mentioned human factors issues.
The freed up overhead bins could be used for passenger comfort items such as blankets and pillows //exit dream on mode//