Overview
- Passenger Dr. Keith Harley Jr. reported that a Southwest gate agent blocked his boarding because an 8×10 photo in his hand was deemed a third item, prompting him to check a bag.
- Southwest responded on X that its policy allows one carry-on bag and one personal item, and any additional item would be considered a third carry-on.
- The airline advised that the photo could be placed inside an existing bag to meet the allowance.
- The exchange fueled online questions about whether hand-held items such as reading material or food are counted under the policy.
- Industry commentary links such confrontations to crowded overhead bins and uneven rule enforcement as travelers try to avoid checked-bag fees.