I have gotten glares because I carry three things onto the airplane with me. People assume that I am flaunting the system and special... *Except:* One of those items is an Americans With Disabilities Act qualified medical device that keeps me alive. In the US they can NOT be counted against my baggage requirements, they can not impact the other bags that I bring onto the plane. So no checking the other bag because of the ADA device.
I have not had too many troubles with attendants. My last flight I counted five of the same device in the overheads as I walked past. Often these "bag hoarders" are not what you assume.