I have a 7x5 Kashmir rug that I bought in India and i'm flying to LAX... it probably weighs about 20 lbs. I have it in a large plastic bag that I can carry without issues, dimensions I can adjust to fit into the 22x14x9 footprint because I can fold the carpet accordingly.

My question is that just because it isn't a suitcase am I going to be given grief about this? Is there going to be an issue putting this through the scanner in the security belt?

depends on airline. some airlines are very strict on weight limits too (for carryon)

what's your origin airport/airline? connecting in USA?

also, don't forget to declare/pay custom taxes. you only have $800 tax-free customs exemption

You could say it is prayer rug. It may help get in onboard. It may help assure a secondary screening upon departure and arrival. It may help with USA tax-free customs. Yeah I am kidding

yes, I bought 2 rugs, one 7x5 and one 3x5 and am under the $800 duty free allowance so no issues there. My city of origin is BLR and my final destination is LAX via AUH. The first airline is Jet Airways and the connecting airline is Etihad. I am putting the 3x5 in my checked in baggage and was planning to carry the 7x5. The 7x5 does not fit into my existing suitcase with my other items etc. so I will have to buy a 2nd suitcase for this purpose if I cannot carry it on.

I am debating if I should just buy a cheap suitcase and put it there or carry it on. I think the former sounds like a safer proposition because if I am told they need to check it in at the gate then I risk my rug getting damaged in transit.

Of course, I am concerned with theft from my suitcase and also the idiots at TSA opening my bag and slicing through my carpets searching for whatever the heck they are searching for!!!

If the 7x5 rug is precious enough, then just buy a cheap suit case and stuck it in. The worst damage is having the rug forcefully put into checked baggage in a plastic bag.

I'm not aware of any airline which requires hand baggage to be a suitcase. If you pack it so that it genuinely meets the Jet and Etihad stated dimensions and weight, you should be fine. Although it might be unpleasant not having any toiletries or reading material for the flight.

Have you actually tried that? Folding a quality 7X5 rug into 20"X12" without creasing it doesn't sound easy?

...and if it is higher quality, you may damage it by folding it. These rugs are generally rolled, and this is what you should do, then wrap it in thick plastic and cardboard. That is what rug vendors do.

My hand knotted "Persian" rugs have always been shipped wrapped up in Saran type clear plastic wrap. They are rolled tightly first. Some, my best and biggest one (10 x 14), came folded in half, then rolled, then saran wrapped up. It came via UPS. It was not damaged in any way. It had a small crease mark for a while, but the wool did bounce back.

That's different than bringing one as luggage, of course. If it seems too awkward to carry one like that, perhaps you could buy a cardboard box.

But there was no way that fit into the required carry on size. Same with a 5X7. I just not seeing it.

OP
If you bought an expensive rug...spring for extra luggage !