Your personal item is the bag that goes under the seat in front of you, so pack the things you want easy access to during the flight. That usually means your passport or ID, wallet, boarding pass, phone, charger, headphones, glasses, medication, and a snack.
Keep liquids simple. TSA’s 3-1-1 rule still applies in carry-on bags: each liquid, gel, or aerosol container must be 3.4 ounces or less, and all of them must fit in one quart-size clear bag.
Put valuables and irreplaceable items in the personal item, not the checked bag. That includes medicine, work devices, jewelry, and anything you would hate to lose if a suitcase gets delayed.
Airline rules for the size of a personal item vary, but Delta’s guidance is a good example: think purse, small backpack, laptop bag, or something similar.
If you want the simplest packing rule, use this: personal item = things you need, things you value, and things you may want before the plane lands.
Sources
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