Always annoys me that locker above row 1 DEF (bulkhead, nothing allowed on the floor) on BA short haul is always full of crew carry ons. Row 1 ABC (or row 2 if there's no row 1) is usually full of cabin safety gear. I'll politely assume it's because there's no practical alternative; it's not just because the crew in the front want easy access to their gear.
As a Gold card holder I frequently get allocated a seat in this row. My options are either board as soon as possible to use the next row's lockers or change seat and be prepared to use the space under the seat in front of me if need be. I know this. But the crew are making extra work for themselves dealing with p*ssed off premium pax who wait in the lounge until called and thus board last finding the only place for their bags to be halfway down the aircraft or the hold.
Why don't the crew put their bags above row 2 or 3 or 4?
(It isn't new - I remember flight deck crew pilot bags always filled the front row lockers of Manx ATP's)