Continental Airline Tickets

For US Airways, can I put my laptop in my purse to count as one personal item?

On the US Airways, it says, "You are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase or laptop bag." So if I put my laptop in my purse, would it count as one personal item or two personal items? I am not planning to bring a carry-on. If it is counted as two personal items, would it be allowed since I am not bring a carry-on.

Public Comments

1. It would only count as one item. For carry ons it is more just you are allowed "2 bags". But both bags cannot be "carry-ons", which are more like luggages that you fill with things.
2. The personal item muct be able to fit under the seat in front of you so if after putting the laptop into your purse, it can fit under the seat in front of you, then it would only count as 1 item. Since you are allowed 2 items onto the airplane, you can get away with not putting the laptop into the purse because I would expect both items to fit under the seat in front of you.