Woman's Purse -- counted as a carry-on.
 

Since when did your purse get counted as a carry On?

Most of the airlines carry on policy states one bag (max 45" diameter) and one personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, computer bag or small backpack). That's actually been the policy for a long time, now the airlines are just reinforcing it. Too many people trying to bring 2 large bags and then stuffing everything in the overhead bins.

It's always been one of the "carry-on plus personal item" combination. I bring a traditional rollaboard plus a computer backpack, and make sure my purse fits in one or the other. The computer backpack goes under the seat in front of me.

Late last year I bought a small leather purse that goes on a thin strap around my neck for essentials- $$, credit cards, folded-up BP, iPod- and have started leaving the purse at home. It saves a lot of room and is easy to squeeze back into my backpack before boarding or going through TSA lines.

Exactly, that's it.

I actually think it is correct to enforce it like that. For women, I would advise to use one roller bag as main luggage and one computer tote as personal item. The computer tote is big enough to hold the laptop, office stuff AND a lady's purse with personal items. I gave such a tote (Samsonite, black shiny nylon and leather, looks very stylish and is very functional) to my GF. She uses it almost every day and for travel.

Till

What difference does it make? if you have a purse, a computer bag, and a rollaboard before security, put the purse in the computer bag to clear security, you still have three items at the gate. :confused: That makes me feel SOOO much safer. :p

The gate agents can still make you check something or consolidate it all back into two pieces. One point is that you are allowed two carry-ons and that is the space you are allocated inside the cabin. You may be able to put two pieces under the seat in front, or not. I have seen women with a carry-on, computer bag and a purse the size of a backpack.

You are assuming that every person carries a small enough purse that will fit into something else. Not always the case!

It's not a matter of safety. It's a matter of space in the overhead bins, which then becomes a matter of safety, when they are full and stuff clutters the cabin. It is certainly also a matter of weight and fuel consumption as witnessed by the weight limit on hand luggage imposed by many airlines.

Till

I've seen many women's purses that are much bigger than my personal item which is a small laptop bag which contains an ultralight laptop, laptop power charger, travel docs, ipod, sudoko book, pens and pencils. If you can fit your purse into your personal item bag, then fine, if not it should count.

In Europe - especially with the low costs airlines and doubly especially with Ryanair they have one carry-on item only.

And that really does mean one, not one plus a purse plus a daypack plus a bag of food plus a bag of books & magazines plus your duty free ciggies, booze & smellies...

And this is enforced at the gate where anything that gets gate-checked will cost the passenger €30 / £30

Not a matter of safety - its more a matter of space and getting the flight out on time. Also, TSA is big on fewer bags because it is less for them to screen and their lines move faster - less bad PR about slow moving lines. Lastly, they fine airlines that cannot follow the rules

Well, if you must carry a large purse, a computer bag and a rollaboard, be prepared to check your rolling bag.

As a frequent traveler I have learned that I better be able to stuff my purse inside my computer bag if I dont want to have to check my rolling bag. I don't carry an itty bitty purse but it is much smaller than the gigantic satchels that are very in style right now.

I always put my purse in my backpack so I have a rollaboard + backpack.

purse is a personal item...