Help? Does a purse count as a personal item?

[Farro]

This is my first time bringing an actual carry on piece for the overhead bin.

Normally I have a purse and a larger bag/purse that I can stow under the seat. This time I will also have a piece of carry on luggage.

I know you get one carry on and one personal item.

My question - does my purse count as the personal item? Or can I still carry my purse, my bag that goes under the seat and my luggage piece? If not, I will try to shove in one of my bags. I am reading conflicting information.

thanks!

 

[FCDub]

Purse will be your personal item, under the seat. Then you're allowed a carry-on for overhead.

 

[2forMe]

Depends on the airline

 

[Farro]

Well, technically it can fit at my side.

Okay, I will tuck in my bag, must make room.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

The type of bag does not really matter.
You are allowed 2 items.
1 for under the seat in front of you.
1 for the overhead bin.
If you have 3 items you must be able to condense it down to 2.

 

[Farro]

You can carry a diaper bag and it doesn't count as a personal item on United, just in case anyone is wondering...

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Well, technically it can fit at my side.

Okay, I will tuck in my bag, must make room.

You cannot tuck a bag at your side.
During take off/landing and until they tell you otherwise your bags must be under the seat or in the overhead bin.

 

[Farro]

You cannot tuck a bag at your side.
During take off/landing and until they tell you otherwise your bags must be under the seat or in the overhead bin.

Thus the winking smiley, indicating a joke.

 

[FCDub]

You can carry a diaper bag and it doesn't count as a personal item on United, just in case anyone is wondering...

The same way you can carry on a car seat and not have it count toward your allowance. It's a courtesy for people who need to bring more.

 

[Farro]

The same way you can carry on a car seat and not have it count toward your allowance. It's a courtesy for people who need to bring more.

yes, I saw that on United. Jackets, umbrella, books, etc.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

It really depends on how the gate agent feels that day as well. I travel a lot for work and usually have a rollerboard for the overhead, my backpack with my laptop and a purse. Sometimes they make me shove my purse into my backpack before I board, other times they could care less. If you have a very small purse that also helps. Mine is about average size 12"x5"x8".

 

[AngiTN]

Depends on the airline

I've flown American, Delta and Southwest multiple times the past couple years and all 3 of those allow 1 personal item and 1 carry on and specifically announce that your personal item is 1 item, be it a purse, backpack, small tote, etc. and it goes under the seat then 1 in the overhead bin. You can't carry a purse on you in addition to a backpack/tote and a carry on. They've been very strict with this of late, used to not be but this year, all 3 airlines have been and haven't been too polite about it either. Not sure about the others.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I've flown American, Delta and Southwest multiple times the past couple years and all 3 of those allow 1 personal item and 1 carry on and specifically announce that your personal item is 1 item, be it a purse, backpack, small tote, etc. and it goes under the seat then 1 in the overhead bin. You can't carry a purse on you in addition to a backpack/tote and a carry on. They've been very strict with this of late, used to not be but this year, all 3 airlines have been and haven't been too polite about it either. Not sure about the others.

I should have mentioned that I primarily fly United.

 

[bumbershoot]

When I find myself traveling like that I stop, put what I need from my purse (day to day purse contents are different than traveling purse contents) into my personal item, and put the empty flat purse in there too. Making sure wallet is easy to get to. At my destination I "create" my purse again.

 

[goofy4tink]

My purse goes into my tote bag/back pack that goes beneath the seat. Larger piece goes in the overhead bin.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

Are you traveling alone? When I travel with my husband and kids, I often end up with three bags (backpack, tote bag, and suitcase for overhead), but everyone else has one bag. We are a group of 4 with only 6 bags, so they have never questioned it. If you're traveling with someone else who only has one carry-on bag, maybe they can carry your purse for a moment, even if it will end up under the seat in front of you.

 

[Farro]

Are you traveling alone? When I travel with my husband and kids, I often end up with three bags (backpack, tote bag, and suitcase for overhead), but everyone else has one bag. We are a group of 4 with only 6 bags, so they have never questioned it. If you're traveling with someone else who only has one carry-on bag, maybe they can carry your purse for a moment, even if it will end up under the seat in front of you.

Yes! That's what we figured out. We both get one carry on and one personal item. Since we are bringing only one piece of carry on luggage and checking everything else, he will pull it and have his backpack. I can then have my purse and bag.

We fly often, but never have actual luggage to carry on, thus my confusion. Thanks all!