Would I be able to get by without checking my bags?

Question

In the past, I've taken a backpack and a purse on the plane. I don't like checking bags...

But I'm thinking about taking my laptop... do you think I'd get by with taking a backpack + a messenger bag (to carry my laptop) or would the messenger bag be too big to count as a purse?

Answer 1

You're allowed one piece of carry-on luggage, and one "personal item".

This is what the TSA site says:

Carry-on baggage is a small piece of luggage you take onboard the airplane with you.  You are allowed one carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case.

TSA will screen any "Carry-on" baggage that will fit through the x-ray machine; however, it is up to each individual air carrier as to whether the baggage fits the size restrictions for your flight.  Please check with the air carrier prior to proceeding through the security checkpoints.

So if you can put your purse in either your backpack or your messenger bag, then you're not carrying to many items. If your backpack is on the large size then you might want to call your airline to check what their size and weight restrictions are on carry-on luggage.

Answer 2

Different airlines have different rules. And one airline may have different rules for various types of flights: domestic v. overseas.

I fly rather often (especially to Europe & Mediterranean) and have noticed recently that passengers are bringing MUCH LARGER carry-on baggage onto the plane with them. A few weeks ago I recall one man bringing on a large rolling suitcase, with a large laptop briefcase strapped on top. The rolling suitcase was larger than my checked bag! But they let me bring it on! (It would not fit overhead or beneath the seat, so they had to stow it in a small closet.)

But I also saw a woman at Boston's Logan airport being told that she could carry on ONLY 2 items: her laptop case and handbag -- that she would have to check the 3rd item (which was a LARGE handbag stuffed with God-knows-what). She bitched liked crazy, but the steward was very firm. So she had to go back to the airport ticket counter/check-in area, check that bag, then pass through the "security" checks again!!! (At Logan they make you take off your shoes, so it stinks when it's hot outside and crowded inside.)

P.S.  If you are traveling overseas and have only a laptop briefcase (with laptop and some clothes), your ticket may get "flagged" as a "potential security risk".  On the spur-of-the-moment last year I flew to Europe on the day before Thanksgiving to spend a long weekend with friends. I had my laptop and toothbrush, plus an extra shirt. Made the plane reservations and bought my tickets at 10AM and was on the plane by 5PM. But my tickets had marks in red pen and at EACH airport I was "patted down", with my bag being emptied and thoroughly searched.  I was so "pissed off" that, when I finally got back to Boston and Customs asked if they could search my bag, I told them, "Only if you have a warrant!" They bitched, but only x-rayed it.