Can I bring a backpack and a laptop?

[DisTeach1]

I've never brought a laptop before. I won't have a purse, so my backpack will be in lieu of a purse. Will they count that as two carryon's?

 

[clkelley]

You should be fine.

Both of those carryon items are well within the guidelines.

 

[hematite153]

It does depend where you're flying though. If you're flying internationally INTO the US the regulations are much stricter and I believe everything must still fit into one bag. (I.e. put the laptop into your backpack.)

 

[Taja]

I've never brought a laptop before. I won't have a purse, so my backpack will be in lieu of a purse. Will they count that as two carryon's?

On most domestic flights, if your backpack fits under the seat in front of you, it will be considered a personal item rather than a carry-on.

That can change depending on the type of aircraft. It's a good idea to check your airline's website.

Edited to add:

Just reread the original post. If one of the items fits under the seat in front of you, it will be considered a personal item. The one that is placed in the overhead compartment will be considered "carry-on" luggage.

Again, check your airline's website for a definitive answer.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you're flying internationally INTO the US the regulations are much stricter and I believe everything must still fit into one bag. (I.e. put the laptop into your backpack.)

This has not been true on the many international flights I have taken into the US over the past few years (United, Lufthansa, and American). You are allowed two carry-on items (personal item and suitcase). Although I have found Lufthansa to sometimes be strict as to the weight of your carry-on bag.

 

[hematite153]

This has not been true on the many international flights I have taken into the US over the past few years (United, Lufthansa, and American). You are allowed two carry-on items (personal item and suitcase). Although I have found Lufthansa to sometimes be strict as to the weight of your carry-on bag.

Have you done so recently? The last two times I flew into the US there were extreme restrictions on carry-on luggage. Note these restrictions were US Customs enforced, not airline requirements.

The airline requirements were as normal, but, on one of my trips I just barely squeaked by with my single carry-on bag. Travelers one day after me were denied ANY bag to hold carry-on items. They were allowed to have computers, wallets, etc. But, none of these items were allowed to be in a bag or purse of any type -- they had to fit in pockets or your arms. Fortunately, that limitation only lasted a few weeks, but, such odd restrictions happen regularly for those of us who fly into the US.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Have you done so recently?

Yes. In the past 1 1/2 years I have taken trips to Scotland, the Netherlands (twice), Turkey (twice), Germany, Finland, France, Great Britain, and Spain and I have never been restricted to just one carry-on item on any of the these flights.

You must have been traveling during some kind of high alert time, which I do not recall happening any time recently.

 

[hematite153]

Yes. In the past 1 1/2 years I have taken trips to Scotland, the Netherlands (twice), Turkey (twice), Germany, Finland, France, Great Britain, and Spain and I have never been restricted to just one carry-on item on any of the these flights.

You must have been traveling during some kind of high alert time, which I do not recall happening any time recently.

What we see overseas is constant reminders that you need to check daily on what will be allowed to be carried into the US because they change regulations constantly. You have been lucky that you've never run into them.