There is a BIG difference between last Nov or Dec or even last week and what will become standard in the upcoming months.

The important thing is when is your flight?

I flew home with 1 carryon and a purse from France in Nov, no problem. Next month on the way home from London, the purse will have to be stowed away in my small carryon. On our AA flight to the UK the carryon and purse will be fine along with 1 checked bag.

While I agree that the new rules effective in April 2007 may seem cumbersome for many it just means we have to bring an extra bag for our many purchases and check it.

However, I wonder about the article on Orbitz as they also had this to say in another section

"The law now requires that bags go on the same flight as the passenger, which may make it difficult for those with checked luggage to switch airlines or flights if their connections are seriously delayed.

If you try to switch to a flight on another airline, it may not be feasible to retrieve and recheck your bags in time to make the other flight."

If this were true, why would anyone lose luggage?

We flew from CDG to DFW on AA on Monday, February 12, 2007. I carried a small bag (LV duffle) and a backpack. My travelling companion also carried a small bag and a backpack.

We had no problems. We saw a few people who actually had three (purse, bag, and duty free bag) carry on bags and they were allowed to board.

Forgot to add that the one carry on bag rule is strictly enforced when departing from London airports. We've been through Heathrow and Gatwick since October 2006 and were allowed to carry on only one bag.

Dorthy1 Can't speak for CDG but for LHR this issue is getting through security - you need to have one carryon bag through security - you can buy what you want at duty free, take one bag out of the other etc once you are through security. My recomemndation is that if you want to travel with, for example, two small carry-ons, get a big lightweight bag - put both carryons in the bag, go through security and then you can adjust to what you want through security. Sounds silly but it works - I guess a garbage bag would do - but the fold up shoping bags are slightly more elegant!

Re buying what you want at Duty Free.

If you are going to connect through a US or EU airport then you will have to pass through security which means conforming to the rules about liquids.

If arriving in the US you do have an opportunity to put your excess liquid in your checked luggage BUT at EU airports you won't be able to do that so that bottle of 25yr old Glenmorangie goes in the rubbish bin

Hopefully Dorothy's experience is the norm!!

I flew AA from CDG in October. While standing in the check in line, we were all told that we were allowed only ONE carry on. We all scrambled to consolidate our bags. Once aboard the plane, however, the PA announcement said, "Please store your carry on in the overhead compartment, and your personal items under the seat." --indicating, of course, that they thought we all had 2 pieces. Everyone on the plane groaned.

All bets are off. Everything turns on who decides/who's on duty, along the way for your particular flight.

When I returned, everyone was encouraged to check all bags, including totes larger than a sheet of paper, at check-in, and then the attendants (beyond where the tickets were collected at the gate, and many bags were being thoroughly inspected) insisted on nearly all carry-on bags and "totes" being gate-checked (except for laptops).

Be advised that "a purse-type tote bag" may be considered a "carry on" rather than a "purse", all depending upon who's deciding.

AlanR - you are right - I should have been more precise - buy away at duty free as long as you are flying directly home

They have placed a big banner over the immigration counters at departure from CDG: "All items purchased after this point may be taken on the plane."

I'm sure that's true so far as it goes, but then when you land in the US and want to go on your connecting flight - the fun begins with your liquid purchases.

You then stick those liquid purchase into your checked luggage after you get them from baggage claim.

<<< You then stick those liquid purchase into your checked luggage after you get them from baggage claim. >>>

Nut if your flight involves transitting an EU airport you can't do that as you won't see your luggage until your final destination.

In this case you either drink it or bin it, there is no possibility of checking it.