Bag recommendations
 

I have a 16" MacBook Pro I'm carrying in a third bag on the road. Any recommendations on a single bag that could accept that laptop, plus EFB, Clarity Aloft headset box, and all the other typical pilot items? If it's the right bag, price isn't too much of an issue. I use the standard size LW RON bag for reference.

I carry a 15.6" laptop and use the Luggageworks Stealth Premier Multi-Purpose Cube. It works well. While it has a large built-in cooler, I typically don't use it as a cooler, just as more storage.

https://luggageworks.com/collections...i-purpose-cube

The actual dimensions of my laptop are 14" x 10.5" and it fits perfectly. I googled the 16" macbook pro dimensions it shows 14.01" x 9.77", so if that's what you have, it'll fit.

I use a Brightline. Customizable in size.

If you wanna go the backpack route the Briggs and Riley medium cargo backpack works nicely. We get a nice discount through Altman Luggage in NYC.

If you're former .mil, especially AF, the brightline bag is compulsory.

Swissgear backpack $60-$90 at Costco or Walmart.com

This! I still have one that was given to me over 25 years ago. That thing has been through a lot and I haven't had to do a thing to it.

https://aviation.travelpro.com/produ...%A2-flight-bag

Wouldn't be caught dead dragging one of those around. Seems to be more of the former CFI and flow types based on my anecdotal evidence.

I often find brightline bags paired it with long sleeve uniform shirts.

Much like any animal with bright colors, the bright colored zippers are a warning to others

Nomatic Backpack

This is probably going to be the priciest option given, but this is a top-notch backpack. Very intelligently designed. The 20L is easy to expand or collapse based on your needs. It also comes with a lifetime warranty so if it ever wears out they’ll just send you a new one.

Tom Bihn has several options. There stuff is top notch. And…there tag has an airplane on it.

Anyway to setup a poll for this? My Bag is falling apart after a decade of abuse (Brightline) and want to move onto something less bright. I got it when I was a 19 year old CFI go easy on me chaps.

Just saw someone with a Briggs and Riley Tote that is big enough to fit everything, not too big and doesn't scream "I'm crew". Will be at the top of my list when it comes time to replace my current cockpit bag

Your bag might not scream "I'm crew!" but your J-hook does.

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone.

Unless I missed something, Brightline isn’t big enough for a 16” laptop. I had one of those a decade ago but definitely won’t go that route again.

I rock the Oakley Kitchen Sink.

Probably not. My 13 in MacBook Pro fits but 16 inches is too big that’s what she said.

I’m very much out of the loop…what’s with the Brightline hatred?

It's like dudes that wear long sleeve shirts... But aren't covering tattoos. Or guys that wear braided belts. Or guys that wear phone clips. Or guys that use the ship set on the 320.

I get that’s the general vibe, I’m more curious how we got here from a bag concept that would seem appealing to pilots (other than being expensive).

it’s because pilots are judgmental *******s.

Ah, a fellow professional gooner.

Help me, stepbro! My laptop is stuck in my brightline.

Meme's post above proving your point.

Nomads Nation on YouTube has a lot of good recommendations. They are more geared towards personal travel but they also shine a professional eye on certain bags.

Aer City Pack Pro 2

100% agree. Switching from Luggage Works to Briggs and Riley best money I have spent on pilot gear. As a pilot I hate spending money as much as the next person but you will have no regrets making the switch

I recently switched from LuggageWorks to B&R for my roller too. I like the design of the LuggageWorks better with all the pockets, but their quality is ****. B&R is a much higher quality product. The only issue is that the stock wheels are trash. I put some roller blade wheels on, and now it's great.

https://i.imgflip.com/alkq3r.jpg

They're stupid expensive and have an unnecessary amount of little pockets for stuff that never get used. They're the "I wear 5.11 tactical khakis to grab milk at the PTC Publix" of cockpit bags.

The skittles bag slightly less gaudy when it "Bison Bags" or whatever.

I've heard complaints about wheels

How difficult to swap out and does that affect warranty?

They’re free when the squadron buys them.

See, this whole "your unit buys you cool stuff that you get to keep" is a foreign concept to me. Headsets, cockpit bags, Garmin watches.... Never heard of it.

#ArmyProblems

I've heard from others that it does not affect the warranty. It was easy, just need a socket wrench and some M8 nylon washers for spacers.

For the B&R 22”: use these wheels (70x24) but keep the bearings and spacers from the OEM wheels. Takes 5 mins max.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGS6VWJK...p_mob_ap_share

What are you getting that will replace the bearings? Bearings went out on mine, so I need to replace them too.

Powell-Peralta ABEC 5.

If you know, you know.

Just to be clear, you’re asking if swapping wheels on a roller bag will void the warranty?