I can’t argue your logic. They do tend to clash with the Wrangler Jeans, weave belt, iZod polo, and hip-holstered iPhone 5 however.

 

I did the same several years ago. My 22 needed some work and borrowed a 26. Fit everything nicely but was too much. Glad I kept the 22. Pack smartly and remember, your laundry gets done in AMS!

 

But wait....don't stop there...you too can have not 1...not 2...not 3....and no, not even 4 bags...but act now and you can be like some flight attendants and have 5...count 'em , 5 bags to do a 3 or 4 day international trip. CALL NOW!!! The other commuters love it when you commute home at the end of one of those trips with your 5 bags and then stick ALL of them in the overhead.

Personally, I have used a 22" most often with the clip on but sometimes also the 26" . I've done 14 day warm weather trips with hotel paid laundry quite easily....the European and Asia 9 day winter trips usually necessitate the 26" That extra 4' provides little more room to add a wind breaker and sweater/heavy shirt and or sandals(for summer) and a few more work out shirts....usually I wash my workout gear in the sink and a lot of gyms have the spinner to wick the dri-fit clothes to almost dry right quick like. Most hotels have an umbrella that you can use for inclement weather, for walk arounds in pouring rain I have been know to utilize a trash bag condom....works right well for that once a year predicament

 

I did some Europe 3-4 days, lots of DSS 6 days on the ER.

I roll with a 22 inch, a "cube" bag from LW, and a lunchbox that I use as my flight deck bag. I also have a CPAP, so that in summer or shorter trips gets put in the 22, but on longer trips (or if bags going below) comes out and hangs off the back of the roller.

Some of this, as strange as many would believe, depends on your size.. Someone who is 5'6" with size 8 shoes is going to have an easier time packing in a 22 and nothing else than me at 6'5" with size 17 shoes. My clothes are physically much bigger. I have a friend who brings 2 pairs of shoes plus more clothes and it fits.. He's also basically a small footed hobbit.

I basically bring enough underwear, socks and Tshirts for one fresh a day, plus one spare. Uniforms is pretty much what I show up with plus one spare pant and shirt (I cannot buy off the rack).

Bringing more than my running shoes on top of work shoes is just not happening. Takes up too much room.

Winter Domestic or short call reserve is harder for me to pack for than Intl.. Because in the same reserve block I've gone to MSP in February followed by SFO, then AUA.

 

I'm not sure how people think they will pack differently for a 3-4 day international trip vs a domestic? Despite popular belief, this is NOT what international Delta pilots look like on the layover:

I did six day trips regularly with my 22" bag and it was just fine, including a spare uniform shirt and pants (nothing like getting soup on your pants on leg 1!), a pair of gym shoes and a pair of decent "goin out/walking around" shoes. Arguably it's easier to pack for international since you really only have one or two locales to plan for instead of three to five like with the "MSP on Monday, MIA on Tuesday" domestic flying.

PS. Don't be like the FAs and pack five overstuffed bags because you're planning to import 35lbs of yogurt, butter and cheese along with nine bottles of wine because "it's SOOO much better in Europe". It isn't. You can usually get as good or better from Trader Joe's or a local specialty shop for about the same price and without the hassle.

 

But the Stroopwafles at the AMS Crew Shop taste wayyyy better than Trader Joe Stroopwafles. 😁

 

+1 to this

 

Before you buy a 26” bag that can be tough to commute with, take a look at Briggs and Riley’s 22” baseline bags with CX expansion. Cram more stuff in the bag but with the convenience of a 22” bag.

 

12 day trip I would get laundry done at the halfway point.

 

Some of the flight attendants practicing to be Himalayan Sherpas have a side business. You never know what might be in those bags. Saw one marched away in handcuffs at customs. Never understood why the customs guys did not take a closer look at crew members with 4 or 5 bags.
One last point in favor of the 22” bag. The 26” is not a legal carryon. A friend spent some time in the CP’s office over that issue commuting home in uniform through ATL. I also once had a flight attendant tell my FE he had to check his 26” when he was working the leg! The bag went and she stayed in EWR.