I got the nice bags myself. If I had been in a worse position I prolly wouldn't have bought them. If you have to buy them out of your first year salary, it may not be the best idea. I would definitely advise you to get the pnt bags, but only if you can afford it. Just cause you can pay doesn't mean you can afford it. If you are like the thousands of first and second year fo's out there it might be wise to go to costco now, and come back in a few years to get the bag you keep. All I can say is don't kid yourself, there is a big difference in quality. I've seen captain after captain with the cheap bags have their handle break right in front of me. Must be five or six in one year. If you do get the costco one nobody in their right mind could critisize you. We know what it's like. Don't go into debt to get the nicer bag.

By the way, it's Bren awhile since this thread started. Did you end up buying a bag from this thread or were you just venting? Has anybody made a desision based on the content of this thread?