Interesting topic. We in GA have many stories re this.
Self once confronted with larger than normal cabin baggage. Namely, a 180Kg live pig, bound for a party although pig didn't appreciate this at the time...
Self says "No way, this pig isn't going on this flight". Fact was however, I needed weight in the fwd locker but the problem was the avionics panel located in there. It was a BN3.
Solution: Pig's soul went to heaven fast, ballast problem solved and party brought forward by 24 hrs. As for RPT ops, and based on my observations at aerobridges in Australia, then those gadgets designed for cabin baggage are rarely used.