So now the rules say you can bring a regulation-size piece of luggage and a purse/briefcase/laptop bag as a second piece. My question is, how big of a laptop case can you consistently carry aboard?

My standard case is pretty darn big. It's well-padded, and easily has room for two laptops in it (though the second compartment is supposed to carry cords and cables and stuff, I guess). But the point is it's pretty bulky, and usually weighs more than my carry-on duffel.

I swapped it out for the smallest Targus bag I could find recently. I figured, there's no way someone could deny me the right to carry it, since it's not much bigger than the computer by itself.

I'd rather carry my bigger bag, though. The Targus is so small I can barely fit my power cord in it. Forget about taking an extra phone line, it won't fit. You could stuff a few papers into the paper area, but not much. Certainly not a paperback book (which I usually stuff in my large-size computer case).

So what have people's experiences been with taking on (or witnessing) those larger computer bags -- or briefcases or purses, for that matter. I've seen some seriously big purses before!

I had gotten into the habit of using the carrying case that came with my Dell laptop when travelling and just used that as my briefcase. Post 9/11, I've switched and gone back to my 3" deep Haliburton briefcase, and am carrying my laptop and peripherals in a small satchel from Boyt that I got for free with my garment bag.

The Zero would qualify as a personal item, as it is smaller than a medium-sized tote. The satchel is even smaller, and fits into either my Boyt garment bag or my 22" rollon if I'm using one of those as my carry-on. But it has two outside pockets to carry all the various extra peripherals and cords.

[This message has been edited by ElmhurstNick (edited 10-25-2001).]

I have been using my 22" rollarboard suiter as my "carry on bag" and my full sized briefcase with 3 compartments (computer + 2 additional equal sized compartments)as my personal item.

Wow, that actually sounds bigger than my original case!!

Today on my US shuttle flight I had them describe the 'personal item' as being either 'a purse, a briefcase, a computer case, or a small backpack.' First time I heard a backpack included in the list.

I just got back from three legs (four flights)carrying aboard, in coach, a 22" roll-on and a 10x10x18 tote. I was questioned once at ticketing about the tote and when it was clear that I didn't have a handbag or any third piece, was OK'd. Apparently whatever the computer is in counts as a computer case so I put it in the tote bag for checking in and going through security.

I have been carrying on a 22 inch Samsonite Roller bag and my backpack computer case since 9/11. I have not been questioned about either piece not qualifying. I stick my purse inside the backpack, so I don't go over the carry on limit. I have traveled on Lufthansa, Continental, and Southwest with the same 2 bags. I have had a mixture of FC and Coach tickets.

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Rachel
CO - Platinum
Hilton - Diamond
SPG - Platinum

I just completed a 5 leg trip, OGG-HNL-SFO-SAN-SJC-OGG, and I carried a Tumi carry-on, (not one of the smallest) and my Tumi wheeled computer bag (office) which is pretty big. I got a small questioning at checkin in Maui, but the woman told me it was because she was worried that I might be singled out for complete baggage searches. I was once, SJC, but no complaints about the size at all. Just make sure it 2 pieces only.