I did some research and found the truth. I am very sorry to everyone out there who was subject to the airline employees' perception of what they believe to be FAA regulations. Please keep in mind that we are handed this information from the people we believe to be more competent on the subject matter than the rest of us. I do not agree it is right to lie to employees so that they can lie to passengers in order to make people believe what is told to them. I learned a valuable lesson. It is sad I have to come to this site to learn these things and I hope others learn from this as well.
Carry on bags are regulated by the FAA as far as how they are stowed in the cabin of the aircraft and not who has how much.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.4.23.2.11.17
For more general advice about what to carry on....
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/prepare_fly/baggage/
Electronic devices are actually more detailed here.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.4.11&idno=14
I hope this helps.