Originally Posted by SquareDanceGuy
The problem occurs when the "personal item" is almost as big as a carry-on. Some roller-type computer cases are "personal items" and/or "briefcases", but they're almost as big as a normal rollaboard suitcase.
The airline publishes dimensions for rollaboard suitcases (22 x 14 x 9). Do they publish dimensions for the "Personal Item"? I don't think I've ever seen dimensions published for this.
Unfortunately, I have never seen the size limitations enforced except for a couple of very oversized rollaboards. Not enforcing the size limitations causes more problems because while the 22" rollaboard fits wheels first into the overhead bin, many larger bags must go in sideways, taking up 1.5 to 2 times the room a correct sized bag will take. I have seen many cases where the last PAX on board were forced to check their bag because of too many oversized, sideways placed rollaboards in the overhead bin.