You would think most people here would know there is a difference between a carry on and a personal item. Even Delta has defined them, and has for years.

The OP is obviously talking about random things like the below:
Approved Personal Items
1 purse, briefcase, camera bag or diaper bag
or 1 laptop computer (computers cannot be checked)
or 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above

Of which you are allowed exactly 1 in addition to your carry on luggage allowance.

The problem is when someone manages to board with carry on luggage, a purse, a shopping bag, and a maybe even laptop bag and somehow get past a lazy GA, and then proceeds to take up an entire overhead bin on their own.