My husband and I have a trip to France coming up. We had each planned to take 1 small, rolling carry-on, and 1 "personal item",(a lap-top tote bag and a purse-type tote bag), as allowed by the airline. I have just learned that when departing from CDG, carry-on luggage is limited to only 1 bag per person, (incl. a purse). My packing plan will need some serious revision! Does anyone know whether this rule is stictly enforced?

I took a handbag and a medium size backpack-type carryon a few months ago with no problem.

Great question! Anyone else have experience with this?

I left from CDG this month and there was absolutely no problem with the number of carry-on items, just a brief debate about the size of one of mine, which the supervisor quickly authorized.

Depends which airline. Bear in mind that I last travelled from CDG in November, but did go back and forth between the US and Paris from August to November. UA was much more of a hassle - with carry-on, with lines, etc. American Airlines, though not a better airline, was no worries with lines, with liquids (in the proper bag), with carry-on.

If you have to check your luggage on your departure from CDG, that is on your way home presumably, will that be so bad?

Don't know about France, but in London they are very strict about it. I don't understand what possible reasoning there could be behind the rule, but there it is. I generally try to take a small purse now and just put it in my carryon (most security people allow 'in' to be a loose term... as long as it kind of fits) for going through security. The airlines certainly don't care what you bring. If you're going to risk bringing 2 be sure to give yourself enough time to get out of security, check the bag, and then go back through.

In April of 2007 all EU countries are adopting the 1 piece only restriction as is in place in the UK now. 1 piece no more the 56cm x45cm x25cm , no additional personal items .

Jody, can you provide a link for more information on the new regulations?

And does anyone know if gate-checking items is allowed at CDG. Just for example, oh, a carseat?

Not aimed at anybody in particular however:

I love the attitude of some people...they are told a rule and what they want to know is how rigidly it is enforced!

Since the August scare in London regarding blowing up trans Atlantic flights, the British government has only allowed 1 carry on aboard period...no one carry on plus a purse or one carry on plus a lap top...one carry on.

That is the rule and it is enforced at security as well as rules regarding liquids that can come through security...they have relaxed some of the draconian rules they put in place originally..for example you can now buy drinks in the departure lounge and take them onto flights to the United States....

As noted, the eu has passed a regulation that will follow the same rules as are applied in Britain which will go into effect in April.

Will it be strictly enforced? Well it's the rule so one would assume it would be and as I once noted to somebody what are you going to do if it is not rigidly enforced but enforced 20% of the time and you turn out to be part of the 20%?

Respectfully to all

xyz

Having traveled over the past two weeks, I noticed that airport staff seem really tired of strictly applying some of the sillier rules. More than once, I forgot to take my 1-liter clear plastic bag out of my carry-on, not to mention a bottle of liquid medicine for my mother. Not a word was said by any screening personnel, either in the US or Europe. Either they pretended not to notice tubes and bottles, or they are simply not paying attention to the screens anymore.

It happened to me on an Air France flight from Mumbai to Paris. I said what do you expect me to do with my handbag?? They ignored it after that but it is getting really annoying these days.

It's even more "annoying" when planes are blown up.

I do think some people, unfortunately not all, would be more cooperative if they understood the rationale behind some of the "rule" which then might not seem so silly.

Here are 2 references to the Aprill 2007 change for all EU countries

http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewTravel...security+rules

http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewTravel...security+rules

Bookmarking

This is a completely valid question. I spoke with American Airlines, and they said that having 2 carry-ons is not a problem at all. So I don't think that asking how stricly a rule is enforced is a bad question considering how many different responses are out there, including from the airline. If the airlines and airports took these rules seriously, then they would enforce them a bit more, don't you think?

True, it is not a problem leaving the US, the problem arises on your trip back to the US. The carryon rules of the airlines, any airline, do not apply to the security carryon guidelines, which are set by the government or airport authority.

Thanks for the responses to my question, esp. Jody for the specific references to the new carry-on bag rule, which spells it out clearly.

Yesterday, I checked American Airlines website for "carry-on information" and came across the following:

"American Airlines encourages customers traveling from Paris CDG to take as little carry-on baggage as possible (no more than one piece) through the security checkpoints."

Being "encouraged" didn't sound that definite to me, (a hopeless over-packer), so I called the airline and was told yes, indeed, only 1 bag is allowed, etc. My husband called later on and was told that 2 carry-ons should be fine.

So, I should have asked for clarification of the carry-on allowance. Whatever rules are made should absolutely be enforced - I dislike flying & am all for whatever rules make it a safer experience! Thanks again - Fodors is a fabulous resource.

Hey Dukey, I work for an airline. Therefore I am well aware of which rules are silly and are merely pandering to the penchant for mass hysteria. We have meetings with the police, and they find it pathetic to have to invent these new rules to pretend that people are safe.

brioche,

I flew from GDG to DC in mid November on United and had a carry-on and a medium size purse as well. It was never mentioned.