will european airlines count my purse as baggage. Also my luggage is 1.5 inches wider than their suggested do you think it will be a problem?

Unless things have changed, I think you can have one carry on and one personal bag. I usually try to use a large tote as that bag, and stuff my purse in that, or just pack a small purse and use the tote for travel essentials.

The width might be a problem. They can be pretty picky, depending on the agent. I know I had to prove that my bag fit in their measurement frame. (It did, but it was very tight!)

I'd probably get a new bag that falls strictly within their limits. Who needs the hassle?

If you're talking about the discount Eurpean airlines, many are very strict on weight and size restrictions.

I agree with cybertraveler on both accounts. We have done carryon only several times to Europe. You usually can have one carryon and one personal bag (although I would check British Airways if you are flying them - they seem to have the strictest policy), so if you have a rollaboard, and a tote be sure your purse can fit in one of those. I have been told atleast twice that it needs to go inside.

I would also be sure your luggage fits their guidelines, the problem is what if your luggage really doesn't fit in the overhead compartment??? 1.5 inches could really make the difference.

British Airways at Heathrow is like the Gestapo with carryon luggage. You get ONE piece of luggage and your purse better be in it-no extras. Then they put everyone's luggage in the metal frame to see if it fits-if not you check it.(It was obnoxious and I am even an airline employee who used mega frequent flyer miles to fly them to India in First Class.)

Dutyfree: I'm fairly sure the one-item limit has been lifted at LHR. It wasn't a BA rule BTW - it was all airlines departing from all UK airports.

And it wasn't for boarding the plane - but for passing through security.

dallen03: Every airline treats carry-ons differently. Which airline(s) are you talking about. Some have a weight limit, some don't. Many will have a problem w/ an outsized bag. And some are VERY strict w/ their rules.

I know that they changed it at Gatwick but did not know about Heathrow-I was there in November.

Carry-on rules at both London Heathrow and London Gatwick are now back to 1+1, ie no need to cram your purse/handbag into the main carry-on. Happy travelling, all.

dutyfree: LHR went back to 2 carry-ons long before the rules were relaxed over at LGW.

I'd like to know why it's 'obnoxious' or 'gestapo like' for airlines to have rules about baggage and to expect people to actually stick to them.

Surely it's more obnoxious to expect to be able to circumvent rules, or for them to be changed just for you.

Frankly, I don't care whether it's about security, weight limits for fuelling, space, whim of an individual airline - whatever. Why can't people just bring what's permitted and no more? Is it really that hard to read the weights/dimesions allowed, and stick to it?

Have you ever opened the overhead luggage lockers to put your one measly bag (which is half the size of everyone elses) in and found there's no room whatsoever because half the plane thought the bagagge allowance shouldn't apply to them? Then had to have said bag on your lap or wedged between yours knees and the seat in front for the entire 10-hour journey?

<<my luggage is 1.5 inches wider than their suggested do you think it will be a problem?>>

Do you mean your carryon luggage? If yes, it likely will be a problem and they may make you check it. Better to buy or borrow luggage that meets the requirements.

Well said, RM67.

Good points RM67,, what people forget is yes, its only an extra 3 pounds, or an extra inch if it is only YOU who goes over, but now, if everyone was over by that much it would add up to not enough room!!

How about when you put your one item, which you're carrying on to protect it, in the overhead bin and then Joe Carryon shoves his huge bag as hard as he can into the bin on top of your stuff?

I agree, get the right size, and then pack it to it's capacity.

Why do I say that? We recently spent 3 weeks in France with no luggage except our carry ons. We got our main luggage back 3 days after we got home.

Thank goodness we had an apartment in Paris with a washer and dryer--it saved us alot of hassle. It's not that I mind buying things, it's that I don't want to spend my vacation tracking luggage or shopping for necessities. Actually, it was kind of nice having less clothes to choose from, and after a few days we didn't miss our other stuff at all.

Oversize acn be a problem - depending on airline, type of plane and type of ticket. You're allowed (except for super budget) one carry-on and one personal item (purse or briefcase - not another carry-on). A couple of weeks ago out of Zurich American's whose bags were legal in the US but not in Europe had to gate check them (they too were an inch or 2 too big).

If you've got a premium ticket and it's an American airline yo umay get away with it. If it's a European airline or a budget carier you are likey in trouble.

thank you all for your responses. You all had very good points. I will see if I can return the luggage and check measurements before I buy the next one. Just thought I might be being too overcautious. I will carry my purse too. I leave on friday. Thanks again.

Janisj- I will be flying with 5 different airlines. So I picked the measurements on ryanair which most say is the pickiest and probably allow the smallest baggage and weight.

Yes, I think 1.5 inches too big could be a problem if you're talking your carry on bag. It's not really "their suggested" size, it's a rule, right? Whether it is a problem depends on too many factors to predict an outcome.

Recommend checking each of those five airlines before purchasing another bag.