USAir includes backpacks in their definition of a personal item. I put my laptop into my carryon bag so that I could take my purse, laptop & carryon.
I had my first post 9-11 flying experience today. Had my laptop dusted for explosives at security and then got random checked at the gate, had to start it up, plus bags searched & wanded.
It was strange on the plane to see most of the overheads empty! Before everyone was cramming stuff in there.
The whole experience today was sobering. Seeing the National Guard with their guns really hit me. I wasn't nervous about flying before today, but by the time I got on the plane I was really nervous after going through all the security. Kind of brought everything about 9-11 back into my mind.