Ristretto for iPad as Personal Item

[jenniw]

I'm going to be travelling internationally and was wondering if anyone had any experience taking a Ristrettro (or similar sized bag) as your personal item? The airline allows for a handbag. I've seen some monstrous ones so I don't anticipate a problem, just wondering if anyone has some real life story to tell. Thanks!

[MikeG]

I'm going to be travelling internationally and was wondering if anyone had any experience taking a Ristrettro (or similar sized bag) as your personal item? The airline allows for a handbag. I've seen some monstrous ones so I don't anticipate a problem, just wondering if anyone has some real life story to tell. Thanks!

I don't believe you should have any problem with a Ristretto as your personal item, unless you are flying a budget or no frills air carrier. Many of the US air carriers define the personal item as having the combined L+H+W dimension of 36 inches. I have carried either my Empire Builder (slightly more than 36 inches) or my Brain Bag (1990s version, which is well over 36 inches) recently as my personal item on international trips on a US carrier. It appears they are fairly lenient, but there are carriers that may not be so accommodating.

[jenniw]

I'm flying Iceland Air. They have pretty tight rules for carry on. The weight limit is 13 lbs so I'm taking my Synapse with a few overnight essentials and checking my Aeronaut, packed to the gills. I don't forsee there being a problem with the Ristrettro since it will basically have my iPad, iPhone, a few cords, my TB passport pouch and a TB wallet with my driver's license and one travel money card. Most "handbags" I see women carrying would hold 2-3 times that much!

[joe99]

I have travelled pretty extensively through Europe and Asia and I take my Brain Bag as my personal item. No one has ever said anything about it and it much, much larger than the Ristretto. As long as its on my back and doesn't look like a rolling carryon, the airlines don't look twice at it. I think the perception is that if you wear it on your person, it must be small enough to qualify. That's what's great about all the TB bags, they look small, but hold so much.