I am flying from Chicago to Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic. Carry on weight is 13 lbs. Then I transfer to Alitalia. Carry on weight is 11 lbs. Alitalia agent says I can also carry on a small purse. The Alitalia website says only one bag. Does anyone know if it would be okay to stuff a 2 lb purse into the 11 lb backpack or should I just keep everything to 11 lbs total.

This is only a guess, but apparently everyone disassembes their belongings after security.
So in this case I would guess that Alitalia's rules take over after that:
purse and bag at check-in(bag weighs in at 11 lb
1 bag (containing purse) thru security
bag and purse on board

Good luck - ridiculous isn't it!

Last May I was checking in at Heathrow terminal 4 with 2 bags carry on. One was very small to carry my passport and money while the other is the normal size. I was told that I must put the small bag inside the larger one which I did since there was space inside. This was accepted with no problem. Two bags are not accpetable for any sizes.

Visualize a passenger revolt over these ridiculous, contradictory, nothing-to-do-with-security rules.

You need to go through security at LHR.

Security at LHR = one piece, absolute. No one + one. But they don't weigh your bags at security.

After that, you can break up your luggage and take them onto Alitalia in 2 pieces. I think you shouldn't have problem with Alitalia. I doubt they'll weigh your carryon at the gate either.

If you're flying home the same way, same issue. You can take 1 + 1 through Italian security and onboard Alitalia. But you need to go through LHR immigration again. Which means one piece only.

rkkwan--Regarding LHR carry on luggage and security. If I bring a carry one 21 inch, fully packed, and carry a small stuffed backpack as a "purse'. they will require I put the backpack into the carry one luggage to go through security? Thanks.

Yes.

At Heathrow, or any British airport, going through security one means ONE. Period. No other purses or shopping bags or laptops OF ANY KIND.

Also, be careful, as I have found it's almost impossible to "fully load" a 21-inch rollie and stay under 13 pounds. Maybe my clothes are heavier than anyone else's, but I come in about 18.

rkkwan--I guess that means we are more or less forced to check luggage. What a pain! I don't recall them being so very picky last I was there in 2003. Judy

<<< I don't recall them being so very picky last I was there in 2003 >>>

T%he world has changed a lot since 2003 - at least you don't, liker I did last year have to travel with nothing but air tickets & wallet as cabin luggage which were the rules from August 2006 for a mkonth or so