I know this thread is about crew, but...I had a gate agent in ORD hassle me about carrying my coat in addition to my Away Bigger Carry-on roll-aboard and a small duffle (Hudson Sutler commuter), she said it was another personal item, then I put my coat on, and she said I cold go ahead. I was flying as an EXP in paid F. I think some gate agents need to be a bit more liberal about the policy for some passengers.