When you board a plane, the overhead storage compartments are open. You can look right in to see if there is room or not.

I'm against this as it would make the plpane look hella-cluttered -- the inside would go from clean lines to looking like someone's garage

Maybe you should check your anvils.

If everyone checked their anvils, there would be room for people like me who just put their umbrella somewhere.

Although it is one solution for the problem, I believe that the stewardesses and stewards already close the bins when they are full. The obvious solutions is for everyone to be courtious and check their baggage. I know businessman/women like to bring their luggage on so they do not waste time waiting for the checked luggage. But how much time is wasted for everyone on the plane when one person cannot find space?

I believe this is a great idea. Many times my wife will put the bags up but at the end of the flight it is my responsibilty to pull them down. In many instances I have no idea where she put them. The see thru door would really help. Also, often I find the door is closed by someone other than the attendant and there is, indeed, room for more.

Not the lids, they are curved and it could be difficult to make them transparent, but the bin floors. Then you can see what is in the bins sitting down.

This is what happens on trains. There are no lids, just open shelves. Often they are made of metal bars the luggage rests on, which you can look up and see between. Som new trains do have shelves made of transparent plastic. You can see exactly what is up there.

I like the idea, I dont see it costing too much for a company to retrofit this. However the airline industry is quite strapped for cash and i dont see them biting on this idea.

The train solution wouldnt work for a plane because your average train doesnt have to deal with turbulence. I dont know about you, but i have been on some REALLY shaky flights. I dont need someones Samsonite cracking me on my head because theres no proper securing device in place.