I am ex-ezy crew and remember those regs quite well lol
Of course the crew will help you store bags etc into the overhead lockers but what the signs are trying to convey is the weight issue...Its saying that the passenger must be able to lift the weight of the bag into the locker themselves or it is too heavy.
If the passenger can't lift the bag themselves then there is a pretty big liklihood that the crew wont be able to either (ommitting medical reasons etc here..). If the crew can lift the bag which a passenger can't - then great - no problem. But the cabin crew are not allowed to hurt themselves and can refuse to put heavy items into the overhead lockers.
The crew are there to assist passengers at all times, but endangering themselves is a huge issue.
And seens as you have brought the topic up I've got something I would love to add....
In my opinion they should have not changed the rules in regards to handluggage weight restrictions at all. Weight should always be restricted!There were many occasions when on take-off or landing...the bloody overhead lockers opened themselves! Imagine having a huge "heavy" bag fall on your head - or even on a baby...not nice. Even in turbulence, and i've had it bad a few times, it is dangerous.
I think it is a case of commonsense. And I hope for safety's sake that people use it.
craic1510
