Good question. I came back from Alaska a month back.
Originated at FAI, connected at SEA and at ATL. SEA to ATL was a redeye, so I had a largish pillow.
Was stopped at boarding in ATL for too much stuff. It looked bad, but I had rollaboard bag (allowed), backpack (allowed), umbrella (allowed and does not count as a personal item), some snacks in a bag, and a pillow.
Delta's policy seems to be more that your food should be purchased post security so I guess she had me on that.
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en.../carry-on.html
I told her it was all allowed except I wasn't sure about the umbrella (turns out it is allowed) and she could have it if she wanted. But that the rollaboard and umbrella would both go nicely in the overhead, and the rest would be in the seat with me. She let me go.
Anyway, the above link seems to indicate if your bag had food you bought at the airport, you were good.
Originally Posted by
marcworld
As always I am very aware of the pettiness of this little detail but here we are, on a forum discussing every little detail
But of course, that's why we love FT!
David