In the past, I have carried with me (and placed in the bin) a small, pillow/cushion for lumbar issues. I was told that counted as a personal item and I had to choose between my purse and carry-on bag, or the cushion and the carry-on bag, otherwise I had to check the purse.
This happened twice to me. Once in Knoxville and once at MIA.

What do fellow Fodorites do when, and if, you carry on a pillow or cushion IN ADDITION to your purse (other personal item), please?

Thank you.

I just leave space in my carryon for my pillow, then take the pillow out when I'm onboard.

If you can't leave more room in your carryon (or get a slightly larger bag), then consider getting an inflatable pillow that will travel easier inside your carryon luggage.

Super idea beanweb, thank you so much. I figured I'd fit it in the carry-on. It's just no fun getting on planes, like it used to be. Not for me, anyway. However, I guess if I want me and my fellow travelers to get there safely, it's worth it.

Everyone is allowed one carry-on and one personal item. If you want to bring a pillow too you have to put in inside one or the other.

You might also consider purchasing a larger purse/bag that will hold your regular purse and the pillow. I do this or carry a backpack with my purse, pillow, book, snacks, etc. It will fit under the seat in front and you have easy access to everything.

I do the same thing as seashell. My purse that I take when I travel is a simple black one from SportSac. When empty, it folds into almost nothing, so I can easily put it into a larger daypack or messenger bag type bag that I use as my personal item. Then when I get to my destination, the purse comes out and I carry it around like I normally would.

Use a canvas tote bag big enough to carry the pillow and your purse, as your one personal item.

The thing that I don't like about a canvas tote is that (for me anyway - perhaps others are more coordinated - LOL) if I don't have a bag that zips closed completely, my items will end up on the floor someplace - like rolling down the aisle of the plane.

It was too funny, but an attendant at Gatwick in London told me to put the pillow around my neck and go on. No one else said a word.

Just be sure you don't have a gel pillow - that won't get through security.

november_moon, I understand and would normally agree, but we're just talking about a way to make a pillow and a purse appear as one (there's nothing to fall out, just two items).

I tried to fit the pillow in the purse, it fits, but sticks out of the purse, I don't know if TSA will allow it. The pillow is polystyrene bead-filled.

I also had to check my sneaker insoles, lest they be gel. :-0

This seems a bit dopey to me: the airlines won't let AmySabato carry on a third item in the form of *one* small pillow, but they WILL let her carry on a much larger second bag with the pillow stuffed inside it. Okaaayy...

I guess you've just given TSA a new name, huh? "dopey". Tell THAT to them in their face when you are trying to get through security on your next flight. LOL

Uh, no thanks, I'll just keep my opinions to myself! ;-)

No worries Just trying to help people avoid potential issues - but you are right, with just a pillow and a purse, there isn't much danger of spillage.

I make my carryon a bag I bought at Chicago Art Museum many years ago. A canvas bag, very attractive. It holds my lumbar pillow, blanket, a small purse, sunglasses, cell phone, small umbrella,book or magazines, etc. When I get to where I'm going, just take the purse out

I put my neckroll pillow inside a large, lightweight tote bag that I got on ebags.com. It has a zipper, and there's plenty of room for my handbag, a book, and my on-board kit of necessaries. There are pockets inside and outside. The brand name is Baggalini.