Hi fellow travelers! According to the newest FAA press release (10/8/02) only one carry-on bag and 1 item of a "personal nature" (purse or briefcase) will be allowed. You can read the regulations on: <BR>http://www.faa.gov/apa/pr/pr.cfm?id=1419

I wonder if a small shoulder tote (10" X 12" X 4") could pass as a purse? That was my plan, along with my 1 regular carry-on sized bag.

I hate to tell you this but those where always the regulations its just no one ever enforced them. <BR>I traveled at the end of Aug. and went on the Delta website to find out what the dimension of bags I could carry on. I struggled to fit everything in 1 22X18 bag and an overnight case. Meanwhile there where people with huge suitcases that barely fit throught the isle, scuba gear, boogie boards and big cardboard boxes.

Juli, those things are part of our past now. The airlines are now strictly enforcing the one bag and purse or briefcase rule. <BR> <BR>We are traveling this month and I am going to cram as much in my carry on as I can, I hate to check luggage, since it rarely ends up the same place I do. <BR> <BR>

No, they were NOT regulations before but airline "policy" - even AA had a two carryon rule. Be aware that your carryon will be subject to rigourous seaches and should be only necessaries! People have reported that those who can and do move quickly thru are those that don't have everything including the kitchen sink in the carryon! They are being asked to step aside and a rigourous time-consuming search is being made when the agents have time with the end result of thier missing the flight! Same is true for the wanding. Some are given one chance and if they "fail," they are delegated to the "wait" line. Other airports seem to have little change in policy! The airlines are using the opportunity to push for NO carryon as everyone knows it slows everything down, boarding and deplaning, and was absued by many people! Check those roll-a-boards, please!

I was planning to bring a carry on and for my "personal item" a small backpack (the type kids use for school) in lieu of a purse to carry stuff like camera, binoculars, etc. Is this allowed or would that count as 2 carry-ons in which case 1 would have to be checked? I don't want to check any equipment such as the above and my carryon will have things like medications and other essential items. I hate checking bags! But I guess it is a small price to pay.... <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Yes, they were the regulations, at least on Delta and US Airways. It was always annoying for those of us who followed the rules to put up with those who somehow managed to bring their kitchen sink on board.

AA, at least to the Caribb, allowed two carry on's and one was to fit under the seat in front of you and the other could go overhead! Thankfully the new "reg" will limit those people who abused the rules and now maybe the gate agents will enforce it ... but guess those who don't won't even get as far as the gate! Hate the checking of bags 'cause you never know if they are gonna arrive with you (and many times they didn't) but a soft duffle with emergency swim suit was all that I ever carried. Hate someone pawing thru my stuff even tho they have laytex gloves on (and not "clean" ones for each check so you don't know where they've been!)but you do what you gotta do!