Carry-on, personal item question from newbie flyer

[DumboDash2006]

1) If you have a fanny pack and are wearing it, does that count as your personal item?

2) Can you use a large shoulder bag for your personal item? Bigger than a purse, but certainly smaller than a duffle bag.

TIA

 

[ducklite]

1) If you have a fanny pack and are wearing it, does that count as your personal item?

2) Can you use a large shoulder bag for your personal item? Bigger than a purse, but certainly smaller than a duffle bag.

TIA

No and yes in that order.

Anne

 

[n2mm]

As long as your personal item can go under the seat in front of you. That is how you should gauge your personal item. Your carryon can go in the overhead bin, but not your personal item. During times when the planes are full (like always), the FA can insist that the rules are following accordingly.

 

[DumboDash2006]

Thanks ladies.

Um, how big is the space under the seat generally?

 

[kaytieeldr]

It varies, but not very. How big is the personal item you plan to bring? Although I was able to fit a tote bag about 18" x 24", not stuffed full, under the seat in front of me along with my messenger-style-bag purse.

 

[soxnation]

Fly a few times a year and always use a Bean tote that is 11 1/5 high and 16 inches long usually quite full but if fits under the seat happy travels

 

[NotUrsula]

Any kind of hard-framed bag that you plan to put under the seat should not be more than 20" long, because if it sticks out from under the seat, the FA's may insist that it go into the overhead. That will be a problem if the overheads are full, and it may end up checked. Squishiness is a good thing in underseat bags.

The waist pack (aka fanny pack) can be a problem if TSA is being officious about enforcing the bag limit when you come through security, since you will have to take it off your person to get through. Generally I use a string wallet when traveling, and I put it in my carryon or "personal bag" to keep my count legal until I'm past security. Besides, the fewer items you have to juggle while in the security line, the better.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I always carry a large duffel bag as my carry on and put it in the overhead. As my personal item I carry a good size backpack that easily will squish under the seat in front of me. Also I agree with NotUrsula that you should try to put everything inside 1 bag while going through security. It just makes for a much easier process. Imagine having multiple items to put through the x-ray machine with a huge line of people behind you pushing and shoving trying to get their stuff in there at the same time... can you tell I hate the security check points?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We also stuff everything (including our fanny packs) into a big tote when we go thru security, including everything in my DH's pockets. It makes it faster for everyone in line and you are less likely to forget something. My Dad left his wallet in the tray available for that purpose at MCO as he was running for the plane. He got it back intact but only after many phone call and several days.

-- Suzanne