A B777 Flight Attendant addressed her concerns regarding passenger carry-on baggage; predeparture passenger service and her belief that considerations other then safety are driving company decisions with regard to passenger service.

Narrative

After doing First Class pre departure checks; I was sent to help with bag stowage. There is no one outside to monitor amount of baggage that comes on board. There was nowhere to put excessive baggage. We were stowing it on top of other bags anywhere we could find. The bins were overloaded. This is a hazard and when passengers purchase duty free on the ground that doesn't include their extra luggage. We are trying to do predeparture services mandated by the company; hanging coats and trying to help passengers; put away luggage and deal with agents trying to get us off on time. Everyone now carries larger than 45 linear inch bags and they just cannot fit. They are too heavy; too large and yet they are on the planes. Someone is going to get injured. I can't even lift my own suitcase let alone a passengers. Please address this issue. The company only cares about on time departures; not about bag stowage or size. We have non safety related duties that seem to trump safety. This is ridiculous! Why are we now being pushed to serve alcohol on the ground to passengers that will be able to have a drink after we take off? Don't we want sober customers in the event of an emergency? We are getting away from safety and driven by customer wants; not needs; and the company is going right along with it.