silver fleet

Quality/Durability question:
I am looking to replace my old 22 inch METAL framed PN/Luggage Works Rollaboard. I see there is a newer model with a plastic ABS frame. Any complaints on how these are holding up? They're close to $100 less than the metal framed one and I'm upgrading to a 26".
I'm leery of a plastic frame for durability and how hard we can be on our luggage. Thanks for any insight and inputs!

WhiskeyDelta

I have the 22" plastic model going on 3 years now. Commuted 1 year on RJs (i.e. always gate checked it) when I was at my former regional and the last two at Delta all on mainline. The bag still looks brand new. You can't beat the weight savings. Very happy with it.

silver fleet

Awesome input WD, thank you! Others: keep chiming in please!

Papa Bear

Yes I have the 22 also luggage work. Four years...one year at Regionals and now on Airbus. The handle track system just finally gave out a few weeks ago. Wheels, base , frame all still solid. Weight saving is HUGE...
I know a few guys think it's a FA bag but I don't feel that way. They make a pretty good cooler bag also that I store my iPad in for work.

beech_nut

I have not had such good luck with my new 22 inch plastic roller bag. It is less than a year old and has had the handle assembly completely fall out at the start of a 4 day. Additionally it is missing zipper pulls and has one zipper that catches at a spot in its travel. Mine is the newer looking version with the different shaped side pouches. Not recommended. I also had a lot of trouble with the DTW stop over store to get it fixed. They are also not recommended.

Flydaplane

Can the 26" still be used as a carry on, will it fit in most overheads?

HPIC

I have a 22" and a 26" PNT bag. Both are metal frame, close to 20 years old. Both used about equal amounts, both still going strong. I know a lot of guys with the plastic frame bags that are sending them for major repairs after 2-3 years.

Mine have only had wheel replacements, a couple zipper repairs(at a local luggage shop), and a handle replacement on the 26 that I did myself with parts ordered from LW.

Sputnik

Bought the plastic 22 in two years ago.

The bad, corner braces bent a little right after I got it. Had me worried but haven't had any issues since then. The screws in the handle assembly started backing out. Swung by stopover store, they told me glue them. Which I did and have no further issues. I still think its absurd they have a known problem with that and they don't fix at factory. Is what it is.

The good. Two years in and still looks pretty much like new. I think it's only a few pounds lighter, but man I feel it everytime I lift it. Especially when I compare to the metal ones.

I commuted for about 8 months, but usually got it in overhead. It's probably been underneath a plane less than 10 times. Not sure how much that played into my luck with it.

Fwiw, I would recommend it. Been a good bag, about to get the 26 (yes will fit in most overheads, but sideways)

trip

Flew with a guy that had the new plastic bag with the rounded type pockets, he didn't like that the handle was loose and sloppy. That new bag felt to be half the weight of my old 22".

I've had my "legacy" rebuilt twice with new fabric and one replaced handle in about 15 years, commuting is tough on them.

ExAF

Had the plastic for about 10 years. Plastic eventually cracked and I replaced it with a metal frame. It will be my last bag. From my experience, 10 years is pretty good, but I'd stick with the metal frame. On a side note, I had a Travel Pro bag (not roller board, but second junk bag) that didn't last a year. I'll never buy another Travel Pro product again.