I usually carry on my wheelie and a l5"x 12"x 6" Eagle Creek tote which I use as my purse. It contains all the personal stuff that I don't want don't want to put in my wheelie, make up, camera, jewelry, medicines, books etc.. This 'purse' is obviously too big to be an every day purse.

I have used this bag for many trips since they got stricter, but I have not flown with it in a year.

They have never questioned the size of it before, but a United reservationist told me that "they" stopped her with a large purse and a wheelie, and called the purse a second piece of carry on. They made her put it into her wheelie, but I know that I won't have room to put one more thing in my wheelie.

Has anyone else had this problem recently?

You should pay attention to the specific airline's criteria. Sometimes it's strictly enforced, most often it's not. Most often, when boarding, it's enforced until there's no room left.

Generally speaking, you are permitted one (within the measurements restrictions, which many pay no attention to whatsoever) carry-on and another "personal" (and with some, but not all, and you must check ahead of time, airlines, a "laptop" sort of size is a carry-on, as opposed to a "personal" bag).

What you are able to "get away with" beyond the stated restrictions depends on how full the flight you're on happens to be and whether or not anyone is paying attention as you check in, board, and if you board once all the overhead bins are full (regardless of whether others have exceeded carry-on restrictions).

Optimally, you'd have a carry-on bag that will fit under a seat (should there be no overhead space left when you board), and a "personal" bag which is not so overly huge so as to NOT qualify as one you can keep on your lap or between your feet, should there be no overhead or under the seat space left available.

If you happen to board late/last, and there is no room left in the overheads (in spite of those who've brought more, bigger, bags but boarded ahead of you and filled them up), you may still be forced to "check" your within-the-restrictions carry-on, and, perhaps even your, if they determine it's larger than that which is permissable to have in your lap or between your feet, "personal" bag.

Whether or not your "purse" is considered "a second piece of carry-on" depends upon all of the above.

In my experience, airline personnel just don't pay any attention to all those carry-on restrictions until nearly everyone has boarded and there is just no room left in the overheads or under the seats for whatever they deem requires being stashed other than in your lap or between your feet.

So, if you're determined to fly with carry-on bags only, your best bet is to stash your camera, books, medicines, makeup, and so forth, in your carry-on wheely, and have a bag just large enough for your other essentials (only those things you truly need at hand) as your "personal" bag/lap qualified piece.

Obviously, it could not be more distressing that many, many folks ignore all the "restrictions" and proceed to fill up the overheads, and get away with it, leaving those of us who follow the "rules" severely inconvenienced...

I too get very distressed when people exceed the carry on limit and I try not to be a bin hog. What I hate the most is when you have followed the rules regarding carryons, put your things in the overhead bin, and then someone comes along, at the last minute, usually from three or four rows away, and crams their excess things in with your things, or better yet, wading up your coat and shoving it to the back.

We are flying business and will be, by choice, in the bulkhead row, so everything does have to go into the bin. The nice part is that the two of us will have our own bin, hopefully.

My wheelies do fit in the bin, or under the seat in front, so that is no problem. It is of regulation size.

At CDG in Paris just after 9/11, they did have people located by escalators etc.. who would stop people from going to the next level if they exceeded the two piece carry on limit. I saw many people refused entry to the escalator because they were carrying three or four pieces. I never have more than than my wheelies and a purse and wear my coat or jacket.

As I said before, this 'purse' has been used many many times, and I have never had any problems getting on board. After takeoff, I put in on the floor in front of my feet and then stow it before landing. I was just curious if they now have people checking size, number etc.. prior to boarding. Not a bad idea really.

I was flying out of Logan in Boston recently and a woman was trying to carry on a giant purse and a wheeled suitcase. The lady checking boarding passes wouldn't let her board the plane with both things. They told her she would have to check one of the bags. She then tried to slip by and the boarding pass checker told her that she was not boarding the plane with both items and that security would be called. We were then allowed to go through, so we're not sure what happened after that. We did notice the people board the plane 15 minutes or so later without the wheelie!!

I found the perfect solution for me..
I also use the "wheelie" but instead of a purse, I use a back pack..the one I have is by Eagle Creek and is medium size--has lots of pockets and compartments water bottle & fits under the seat with room to spare. Plus you can carry with the typical backpack straps or the one strap like a shoulder bag..Try it ,you'll like it !!!

I cannot wear a back pack, they really bother my back. My husband wears his every day and also when we are traveling. He too has back problems and says that the back pack actually helps him.

I had this same problem last year. I had smaller than regulation carryon, and a small back pack in lieu of a purse.

The airline, United I think, insisted that my small backpack (a Camelback hydration pack) was too big. They made me check the larger piece which reallly angered me, as both were smaller than regulation and the piece was likely to get creamed in cargo. > Bad United, Bad!

I hate when they force me to check my Camelback Hydration pack... nothing worse than having to PAY for my drinks during the flight.