I just returned from a Tampa/El Paso trip. When I went to the airport in Tampa, I used the kiosk to get my ticket 50 minutes before my flight, then proceeded to the shuttle to the Delta terminal. At the shuttle, security told me that I'd need to either stuff my stuff down to two bags (I had a carry-on, laptop case, and purse) or go back and check my carry-on bag. I decided to go back and check my bag but when I got to the counter, Delta told me they cut off the luggage check-in 30 minutes before the flight and the computer wouldn't let them do it. I asked them to check my bag onto a later flight but they said with current regulations, you have to travel with your bag and so it couldn't be shipped separately. It was getting really late and I didn't know what to do. The only thing left to do was to expand my carry-on, stuff everything in it, and hope that I could get past the shuttle security with my over-stuffed too-big bag. That's what I did, and shuttle security let me onto the shuttle, but when I got to the terminal security, the line was a mile long, and they wouldn't let me move ahead. This only happens in Tampa, no where else in America -- they don't look for passengers or check tickets to make sure you make your flight instead of standing in line waiting at security. The attendant said I couldn't go ahead of others.

Bottom line, I got to the gate as it was closing, and missed my flight. The upside is that Delta put me on first class when they rebooked me, but jeez louise, what a day! The rules are no longer made to be broken.

Remember -- cutoff for luggage is now 30 minutes before the flight!

WOW!
First Class

I ran into a similar situation at Pittsburg airport coming back from Paris about two years ago: one carry-on and one personal item. Since that experience, I no longer travel with a purse. I now carry a roomier briefcase, rather than a limited laptop case, and then I carry a portfolio-style wallet that will hold my ticket and passpor. Then simply stick it into my briefcase or my jacket pocket, as the case may be.

Yep--I had a similar experience at Reagan National in DC but have never had problems 30 miles down the road at Dulles. It really seems to be a crapshoot. I don't know why different airports should be so divergent on this policy. Very frustrating, but congratulations on scoring a free upgrade!

I've had different experiences within in the San Jose airport.

The norm is usually for them to let me through with my purse, carryon duffle bag, and anywhere from a small to large shopping bag, depending on what went on that weekend (sometimes a girl has to bring home cupcakes).

Several weeks ago however I saw the woman in front of me in the security line get reprimanded for having three items: a small purse, a carryon, and a BOOK. A freaking book. It looked like Grisham, maybe it could've been a weapon?

love
roxy

Agree there is aggressive luggage security at TPA domestic flights since '02, perhaps this is related to prior 9/11/01 suspects from FLA

In all the time flying out of ATL in the last 30 years, about a year or so ago, a man working the area where they look at your tickets before going though security said the same thing to me. I had to shove my purse into the top of one of my a carry on bags. Once I walked past him a few feet and prepared to go through the security I removed it. No one else cared or said anything, there were people all around me with tons of bags. I remember this specifically because the man had such horrible B.O. and was of middle eastern descent and very rude to me.

I don't normally offer comments like this - sorry if it seems picky - but naming the ethnic origin of the offender seems a bit gratuitous.

Interesting to see that some airports actually enforce the carry on rule. My husband and I always comment on the amount of stuff people seem to carry onto the plane, inspite of the one carry on per person rule. I routinely see people with at least a carry on, a shopping bag filled with stuff, a knapsack or laptop, and a pocketbook.

There had always been inconsistency and issues about carry-ons, especially enforcement at security.
Before 9/11, security is hired by the airline that uses the terminal in question. So, for example, if you're using a terminal dominated by Continental, you will never see a template and nobody cares how many carryons you bring through security, while a security hired by United may have a template, etc...

Since there were never any set rules about carryons to begin with before 9/11, it's no surprise that there are still many grey areas in this matter.

Can I suggest that next time you stuff your purse into the bag and then just take it out once past security. Unless the rules have changed, I've always heard the announcement as "You're limited to two carry on's, not including your purse."

Perhaps the security person was overzealous in their interpretation of two carry-on's.

But they'll let you bring on a guitar... Ridiculous!

After being turned back from the shuttle entry that would take me to security at the Delta terminal, I stuffed my purse and a video camera into my carry-on but had to expand it to over-size to do that. That's why I tried to check it but was unable to do so as it was then 30 minutes pre-flight. Then, missing that flight from all this running around and waiting, I didn't find out how Delta would have handled my now-oversized bag. I then checked my bag for my re-booked flight.

We primarily fly Delta because we live in Atlanta so I am really only familiar with them, and their regulation is one carry-on and one personal item: purse, camera bag, briefcase, etc. It is a challenge - especially if you do not want to check any bags!

Tandoori_Girl - my guess is that you would have gotten to the gate, and they would have gate-checked your bag. You would not have carried on your bag, but you would not have had to return to the counter to check it. They would have checked it for you right at the gate if it was too big.

I actually have a positive story about the 30 minute check-in cut off. We were flying to Nevis through San Juan, and ran into a traffic jam on the way to the airport - 6am on a Sunday morning! - due to an accident. We literally ran into the airport 30 minutes before our plane was due to depart for San Juan. The woman at the counter VERY quickly asked for all our information and got our bags checked without a second to spare. We were very doubtful that we would see our bags arrive in Nevis, but they did! Now our return was a different story, lost luggage returned the next day, but oh well... You can't have everything all the time.

they also won't let you carry on your pet monkey anymore!

I was wondering why they didn't suggest that you have your bag gate checked as well. That would have saved you time, and would have allowed you to make your flight. You are very fortunate that they gave you first class on another flight. I don't think my luck is that good!

There are a LOT of TSA agents out there who will not let you pass with more then two bags.

Personally this could have been avoided if you had followed the rules in the first place. TWO BAGS. You had THREE. I don't feel the least bit sorry for anyone who misses a flight for this reason and personally I applaud the airlines and agents who enforce the rules. It takes 30 minutes to get off a plane because everyone has their entire life possesions in the overhead!

I travel all over the US and I thought everyone knew about the 30 minute check in restriction... that's nothing new, really and the 2 bag limit.
That's the rules and they are not terribly hard to abide by.
There are signs posted everywhere stating this... at the kiosks there are signs and at the TSA checkpoints there are signs.
I am surprised you were surprised, actually.

I generally have a carryon, laptop in a bag, and a purse when I travel for work. For the security check points, I just put my purse inside the laptop bag and then take it out afterwards.

I fly out of Jacksonville alot and have never had any problems with security or the long lines. Also I think it has to do with the cetain agent..u know, who has a HS diploma and who doesnt. 8-)