@Haven't a clue: crew bags are not the real problem for those sitting at the front - the real problem is that some passengers sitting further back put their bags in the o/h lockers at the front as they get on and pick them up as they get off. That's why even if I'm travelling business class I try to board early to make sure I don't have to go halfway down the aircraft to find a space (and fight the flow of pax to get back to it on exit). I shouldn't have to but there it is. First-world problems!
And, TightSlot, this isn't only on the LoCo's - it's the same on e.g. BA. Pax avoid checking baggage because they know they'll have to wait ages for it at the other end or they fear it's going to get lost.