• Southwest Airlines follows TSA guidelines in their carry-on policies.airport image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
  
  Southwest Airlines follows Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations regarding carry-on luggage. Southwest passengers are allowed two carry-on items: one bag, no larger than 10 x 16 x 24 inches, and a smaller personal item like a purse, briefcase, backpack, camera, laptop or food container. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
  
  

Items That Do Not Count

• Wheelchairs and other assistive devices do not count toward the carry-on limit.diabled sign1 image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  A number of items are allowed that do not count toward the one bag plus one personal item rule, including: assistive or mobility devices for disabled passengers; coats and other outer garments; snacks or meals for the flight in disposable containers; walking canes and umbrellas.
  
  

Traveling with Children

• Bring your car seat to the gate for un-ticketed children just in case an open seat is available.child in the car image by Natalia Pavlova from Fotolia.com
  
  Passengers are allowed to check one stroller (any size) and one car seat or Child Restraint System (CRS) for free. These items can be checked at the curb, ticket counter or gate. For children who have a ticket or for whom an available seat exists, the car seat or CRS can be carried on and does not count toward the one bag plus one personal item limit.
  
  

Pets

• Pets that meet specific conditions may be allowed as carry-on items.cage de transport avec chat image by Nath Photos from Fotolia.com
  
  Small, vaccinated domestic cats and dogs that are at least eight weeks old can be carried on in an animal carrier. Up to two animals of the same species may be carried in the same carrier. The limit of carriers on-board may be capped at five and pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, carriers must be small enough to stow under the seat in front of you and passengers may not sit in the exit row or a row with no forward under seat stowage. Carriers must remain stowed throughout the duration of the flight.
  
  

Oversized and Fragile Items

• Fragile items may be allowed, if room is available.violin in garden image by e-pyton from Fotolia.com
  
  Oversized articles of "reasonable carryon size" that are at "greater than normal risk of damage if carried in the cargo hold" due to their "fragile nature" (e.g., small musical instruments, blueprints, map tubes, fishing poles, artwork and media cameras or video equipment) are allowed if there is room on-board.
  
  

Instruments and Equipment

• Under certain conditions, some larger items may be brought on board.TV Camera in tripod image by photooiasson from Fotolia.com
  
  Large musical instruments and electronic, computer, audio/video, or other such equipment that cannot be treated as normal checked baggage can be accommodated under certain conditions. The item(s) must be in a case, a reservation must be made (at a "charge no greater than the child fare") and the item must be "secured in the first window seat aft of a floor to ceiling bulkhead."
  
  

TSA Ban on Liquids, Gels and Aerosols

• Baby formula, breast milk and baby food are not included in the TSA ban on liquids, gels and aerosols.baby's bottle image by Georgios Alexandris from Fotolia.com
  
  As of September 26, 2006, the TSA has limited the items such as beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, hair spray, etc. Passengers can bring "one clear, transparent, resealable, one quart (one liter) size, plastic bag containing liquids, gels, and/or aerosols in containers of three oz. (90 ml) capacity or less per containter." Other items that are allowed but must be declared if not contained in the aforementioned plastic bag include: baby formula/milk (including breast milk), baby food (if a baby or small child is traveling); medications, and liquids or gels for diabetic or other medical purposes.
  
  

Additional Considerations

• Some items must be stored under the seat in front of you.Empty airplane seats image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
  
  All items must be stored either under the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin. Passenger and employee carry-ons are subject to a comprehensive physical search. All items are the sole responsibility of the passenger and Southwest Airlines reserves the right to refuse carry-on baggage deemed harmful or dangerous, at its sole discretion.