Originally Posted by flyzabit

US Airways and the TSA appear not to have any businesswomen advising them, particularly with Domestic Baggage tariff rules.

So, as carry-ons, you're allowed a carry-on + 1 personal item.
The personal item may include a purse OR a laptop OR a diaper bag, for example.
No woman who ever travels with a laptop would have made THAT rule up.

In other words, if you want to work on your computer during the flight, even with a thin laptop bag or pouch, and carry also your everyday purse with you, you are screwed if you have anything such as a standard carry-on bag, or even shopping bag from the shops by the gates. The woman behind me on my first flight today had to argue with the flight attendant that she had just bought the souvenir 5 minutes before and couldn't have checked it (particularly in the flimsy plastic shopping bag). To me, that is the zealousness of a carry-on policy going awry to offensive customer "service" - or to raise more revenue from bag fees.

I've had to resort to having the "bare laptop" in the front pocket of my carry-on, and stuff the power cord (and phone charger) in my purse. No, I don't generally pack my "fuzzies and frillies, makeup, or personal hygiene items" in with my laptop in a computer bag, so let's not hear that suggestion. That would make for a very interesting consulting meeting.

Yes, I'm looking at some of those zip-on computer bags to rollaboards (but then they get too thick for the measuring bins). However, I've NEVER seen a zip-on purse that one could call "feminine".

Let's get real here. American women aren't giving up their purses. A woman without a purse in the business environment often is judged as to "gender preferences", too.

For guys, you generally have your wallet in your pocket, so no big deal. In case you haven't noticed, not all women's clothing items are conducive to 4 pockets.

US Airways wants it checked at the counter, and not even at the gate. The US Airways gate agents claim that if the TSA or FAA sees them, that they will be penalized and fined. (Hello, get out your gate-check tags and deal with it in the jetway.) The TSA says that it is an airline rule (quote from a 3-bar TSA fellow and a few other TSA agents today). So the bidirectional fear and fingerpointing goes on.

I don't get this crap on another major carrier on which I also travel regularly, or at their terminal checkpoints from the TSA. That carrier and their checkpoints at least understand "gate-check", for either regional jets or standard jets. It is NOT the TSA's job to impose carry-on restrictions if it is indeed an airline (tariff) rule or even policy (which still should be in DGR - Rule 190 and related rules, plus Contract of Carriage).

Sounds like the "free allowance" needs a review by businesswomen -- and also by mothers - Read on.
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Looking at the diaper bag option, how many women (or your wives) would be willing to choose between checking their purse or a diaper bag (when traveling with an infant)? Check your purse - Really???? Check your diaper bag - Really????

Methinks the ivory tower in Washington has no windows - and no women who travel for business (or with a baby).
Sounds like Phoenix is the same way.