Originally Posted by
springroll
I worked from home this week so I really feel all of your pain for those who had to fly out this week. I am, however, flying out again next week, and I have a quick questions (The TSA and Transport Canada are being very vague about the restrictions on purpose):
- Would a slightly larger laptop bag (think early 2000 Dell laptop bags) be ok as a carry-on? I'm gonna pack a couple of shirts in there along with my Air Canada toiletry travel bag (tooth brush, shaver..etc), and my laptop and accessories of course. Just exactly what kind of bag IS permitted? I used to carry a foldable tote bag and a computer bag but obviously that won't fly anymore (no pun intended). I didn't see shirts/clothes as part of the exceptions list, they are not seriously banning clothes as a carry-on item, are they?
Larger laptop bag should be ok - assuming the stuff inside of it is exempt. Your laptop obviously would be ok. Charger may or may not be, depending on the person you get, but posters seem to consistently say that if you put it in your jacket pocket, you should be ok. Clothing is not part of the exceptions, and my guess is you will need to check it. AC toiletry bag also not exempted, so I would expect the same.
If you are trying to avoid checking bags at all, I would suggest preping otherwise. Otherwise, what will you do if they tell you to check your shirts?
From following this thread, what seems to tie most of the posts I've read together is that the contents seem to be more important than the kind of bag in determining what they will let you bring through. So, if you have a laptop bag with a laptop in it, you should be good (and maybe even the power cord is ok in there. If you bring the same laptop bag, but put shirts/clothes and toiletries in instead, you will likely be told to check it.