I've travelled with the same pullman carryon for over 10 years now. I'm en route to DUS via ATL. Well, this time, I had to fly out of EWR. Security stopped me and told me I needed to check in my bag.

Not what I wanted to hear. I tried going to another security area thinking that all of Terminal B's gates were connected. Not true. Again, I don't know Terminal B that well. I think Terminal C's gates are accessible once past security.

I had packed a Le Sportsac bag to use on the way home so I took it out and put some of my things in that in order to flatten out the pullman. I went back to the same security area but went to the guy on the other side of the entrance. He stopped me but said I needed to put my purse inside the Sportsac. What a relief! So I got through without having to check in anything.

I now appreciate LGA and JFK. I've never had that problem before. Had no idea that EWR is more strict about carryon size.