Agree with many, many others here that this represents poor customer service on the side of the FA, the rules are the rules for a reason. I've seen this enforced on several levels. I've observed FAs tell fliers that their bags wouldn't fit and they had to consolidate or gate check one. I've even seen fliers try to get on with 2, 3, 4 very small bags that would easily fit inside one regulation carry on if the pax had just thought ahead to pack that way and be called out by the FA for violating the 1 carry on, 1 personal item policy.

At the end of the day, as a flier, it's up to you (us) to pack accordingly knowing that with bag fees that the OH space is at a premium.

C'mon folks.

There are many people who, for ergonomic reasons (or for any variety of reasons) prefer to use a wheeled laptop bag/briefcase/whatever.

And, for crying out loud, how many of you folks who carry a "computer bag" limit is contents to the computer and ancillary computer-related items?

The volume of paperwork that my job often requires me to carry often occupies 2x to 3x the volume that my computer occupies in my computer bag.

The assertion that, just because it has wheels, it is not a "personal item" is BS.

I have seen wheeled laptop bags that are smaller than the laptop bag that I carry on my increasing stooped shoulder.

All the cool kids have backpacks. ;)

In much younger days I worked in a supermarket. One day I was bagging, a woman came through with a significant amount of groceries. As I started bagging she said to me in all seriousness, "could you please put it all in one bag and make it light".

:D

If you were caught speeding and try to wiggle your way out of it by saying "everyone else was speeding also," I doubt that the cop would excuse you. The bottom line is, 2 bags in the bin (as in 2 carry-ons, not when one is a personal item that would fit under any seat) is a no-no and just because everyone else does it and you were allowed to do so in the past, doesn't make it right.

While the FA should have chose better words. I think you were extended the courtesy already to keep both bags on board since you were in FC. Had it been me (an FO) in Y, I would have had to gate-check my carry-on.

The operative word is "kids"... 55 year-old kids are not cool. Neither are they cool when they turn around to talk to the person behind them, and broadside my face with the backpack, which they forget extends 15 inches beyond their person. :D

:D:D ^

If you want to meet a true cross-section of humanity, spend your high school days bagging groceries. I did this in the paper bag era, obviously.

Speeding is a non crime and just a profit center, IMO. A cop who spends the majority of his time writing speeding tickets is nothing but a tax collector.

Off topic... Try telling that to a mother who's child was killed due to a speeder. To her, when her child was killed, cops weren't doing their job. Also, here in New York State, it *is* a crime (aka, "not following the law"), and it's explicitly stated in New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws, Article 30, Section 1180.

Back to the topic... I admit, I have driven above the speed limit, mostly on highways. But just because no cop pulls me over, or if everyone else is speeding, that doesn't make me "right."

I only ever carry one backpack on the plane, the backpack does not ever fit under the seat either in an AVOD seat or regular seat, it is just slightly too big. I do not violate the rules because I bring on one bag to put overhead. 85% of the time FA's and 15% other passengers like to take there 65 lb oversized "carry on" and starting ramming and jamming into my backpack. I politely ask them not to bang into my bag because I carry electronics with me (bashing electronics with heavy equipment usually is bad). More often then not they give me a dirty look, comment that I should put my bag under the seat (even though I got to the overhead bin first), or make a comment that its not there problem. I know its a bit off topic, but its nice to know that even when you follow the rules you still get the wrong end of the stick, it is rare that anyone ever wins when it comes to overhead space. DYKWIA will always win out, ALWAYS. Whatever happened to everyone just taking a deep breath, being nice, and just enjoy getting safely from point A to point B?

The scenario that you describe would frustrate me as well. However, I wouldn't consider this DYKWIA, I would call that being a royal a$$. Where has consideration for others gone?

I personally think that OP should learn how to pack lighter. ;)

Yeah that makes sense actually.

Wow, here's a time where I actually agree with you. :eek::D

Sometimes use my rolling laptop bag which is a bit beefy, maybe 8 " deep because it includes a section for perhaps a day's worth of clothing/etc. So far it has fit under the seat in all a/c, including RJ's (not comfortably), though I don't recall trying to place it under the seat with the AVOD box. Seems to me it would fit but would be a tight squeeze.

Not sure I follow the logic of some of the posts here - the rules are one regular bag + one personal item, defined as a laptop bag, backpack, purse, etc.

There is no rule that states one of those items goes under the seat - if you want to put both items in the overhead, it is perfectly appropriate to do so. As a courtesy, I will turn my backpack on its side and push it up against my regular bag if it goes in the overhead. If I decide to keep it on the floor under the seat (and against the cabin wall once airborne), that's by choice and convenience, not by rule.

Now I've seen some computer bags that are almost as big as 18" rolling bag - which I think is really pushing things.

So are there any limits to what the personal item can consist of that are more defined than "laptop bag", "purse", or "briefcase"?

I mean this seems awfully subjective. My wife has a purse that I could fit my laptop bag and probably a week's worth of clothes in. It would fit in the size-wise, but definitely not under any seat.

I don't see where there is any rule that the personal item must be placed under the seat, nor that it must even fit under the seat. That said, I think Delta SHOULD make that an official rule.

As for the OP, I see wheeled laptop bags all the time in coach. It sounds like this bag is a reasonable size for a personal item, but simply didn't fit under the seat due to an unfortunate seat assignment. Sounds like this is no different than a bulkhead seat, and the FA should be prepared to accommodate the occupant's bag elsewhere, especially in FC.