Originally Posted by
ToiletDuck
Because they feel like less a pilot I guess. Like those kids in flight school that had the $100 aviator etc. in class. I don't know. I spent $40 on my flight case and $50 on my bag. It's a samsonite bag that still looks new. Of course there are those that will lecture you over the subject of how it's reasonable but they are as delusional as the next. Financially speaking there's no reason to spend 2% +of your income, pre tax mind you, on two bags. Wait till you make more. Most companies will give you an allowance after your first year to purchase clothes, or items, with. At RAH we get $200. I'll probably use that when my bag breaks. I guess there's a reason why I'm debt free, putting 30% in savings, and not worried about money while most of america is just the opposite. They have no problem trying to make you see otherwise but wonder why the economy is the way it is.
So to sum it up I'm a commuter. I've never been home based. My bag cost $50 from Marshall's. It's a Samsonite travel bag. On the back of it I carry my flight case which I even put my laptop in which adds another 6 pounds. My flight case tops 30+lbs. My bag is almost a year old and still looks new. All the crap people said about how it would fall apart, how it wouldn't last more than a few months, how it would look worn and old was just that. A bunch of crap. A desperate stab to justify spending all this money while making a poor FO's wages. Any financial planner would call it a horrible investment. I toss it, pack it in the back for most legs, stuff it full, drag it everywhere, commute with it for every trip, and it's still a champ. Plus it has a 5yr warranty. Should a wheel ever break or if a handle should one day break, they'll replace the bag. Use your head. If you have to put something on credit card then you shouldn't be buying it. I see these guys witch $600 in bags and another $600+ in headsets then complain about how they don't make enough and never have money. I have to sit there and try not to ask them what the hell they were planning on happening.
There you have it folks, Toilet is the end all be all in advice on how YOU should spend YOUR money. Thanks for the investment and fiscal responsibility lecture dad.

How's your XJT stock doing by the way?
I'm with G2TT on this one. Luggage is not an investment, its a place to put your stuff and drag it along with you on a trip. Period. That it. Nothing else. And as such I want it to do the job I bought it for as simply, efficiently and with as little trouble as possible. If it costs a little more, fine. I'd rather spend $300 for a bag thats gonna last me 5 years then spend $50-100 on a bag with a 5 year warranty that I gotta go get fixed or replaced every year. Its worth the extra Benjamins (IMHO) to not have to hassle with broken bags and warranty repairs.
I have the Purdy Neat bag with the laptop pouch, cost me $280 and I have never thought twice about it. The thing is 2 years old this March and I have had ZERO problems with it. If it lasts me a couple more trouble-free years then I can guarantee you that every bag I purchase for work here on out will be a Purdy Neat bag.
PS
I wouldn't take luggage advice from a guy who used to think carrying a red back pack was the way to go for airline pilots