Carryon and backpack okay on Airtran??

[mamamelody]

Okay, according to airtran's website, each person is allowed one carryon plus one "personal item." Backpacks are not listed as a personal item, but seem to me are comparabel in size to a handbag, briefcase, or laptop, which are on their list.

I am hoping to have a good-sized wheeled carryon for each of us (2 adults, 3 kids) and then also a backpack with stuff to do/snacks for each of the kids. I would have my purse, and maybe DH would also have a backpack. Would this be okay?? I am trying to keep out checked luggage to two or three bags. I copied/pasted airtran's carryon info below.

Any help greatly appreciated!!


Carry On
For carry-on baggage, all customers traveling on AirTran Airways will be restricted to one carry-on item and one personal item. Personal items include handbags, umbrellas, walking sticks, coats, cameras, reading matter, infant food, briefcases, and laptop computers.


Dimensions•A carry-on bag must not exceed 24” long + 18” wide + 13” tall for a total combined linear measurement of 55 inches.
•For a personal item, such as a briefcase, laptop, purse, or camera to fit under the seat in front of the customer, it must not exceed 17” long + 12” wide + 8.5” tall.

 

[HsvTeacher]

I've always carried a purse as my personal item and my wheeled luggage as my carryon. I would think a backpack, unless it is really small and purse-size, would count as a carryon.

Either way, you would be limited to two items per person. The only exception is for medically necessary items, like my DH's BiPAP machine. It doesn't count toward the limits.

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep in mind that your personal item needs to fit under the seat in front of you. If your backpack will do that, then you are fine. If not, you need to find something else for your personal item.

 

[Missytara]

I put my backpack in my carryon going down and carry it when I return, giving me more room in my carryon for gifts and Mickey rice crispie treats!

 

[skiingfast]

Keep in mind that your personal item needs to fit under the seat in front of you. If your backpack will do that, then you are fine. If not, you need to find something else for your personal item.

This is what the rules for all airlines are based off of. If your carry on can't fit in the overhead it needs to be checked. If your personal item doesn't fit under the seat in front of you then it must go in your, one, space in the overhead.

It's as simple as this because there is only so much room to store items in the cabin and for safety you cannot hold loose items in you lap on take off/landing. For cases when a purse or laptop fly into the head of the passenger in front of you.

Since you have 5 tickets in total for your family it will be fine, you can bring an extra bag and partition it under a couple seats if need be.

 

[mamamelody]

Thanks so much for the help!