Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued the following statement, strongly encouraging that country's airlines to clamp down on passengers who insist on taking the kitchen sink with them in their carry-on luggage -- which, let's face it, is a not-so-little problem on American airlines, as well.

Airlines are being reminded to take a strong stand against passengers who try to take excessive carry-on baggage on to aircraft.

The limits set for bags taken onboard by passengers are legally enforceable and airlines have the right to refuse to carry people who will not comply with baggage restrictions.

Different carry-on baggage limits apply to each type of aircraft, so passengers must follow the instructions they are given by their airline.

The importance of making sure passengers follow carry-on baggage limits is highlighted in this month's Flight Safety Australia magazine. Flight Safety Australia magazine is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's flagship publication and is circulated to 90,000 people in the aviation industry.

The Flight Safety Australia story warns some passengers will become aggressive when told they can not take everything they are carrying onboard.

"Cabin crew are legally required to enforce the operator's carry-on baggage limits," the magazine says.

"This is far more effective if the oversized or overweight baggage is caught early.

"Preferably the offending baggage should be stopped and put into the hold at check-in -- or at least at the aerobridge."

Airline staff are told they have the legal right to stand up to objections from passengers who try to take too much baggage onboard.

"If the situation is not resolved, refer the matter to the pilot-in-command, who has the power to issue a legal direction.

"The size and weight of carry-on baggage is limited in the interests of safety.

"That's because if a flight encounters turbulence -- or has an accident -- serious damage can result from cabin baggage hurling through the cabin."

FMI: www.casa.gov.au