Rollerboard Bags...
 

I'm thinking about replacing my rollerboard. I've been using the Costco bag for years now and it's been great until they recently "updated" the design. Now the Costco bag doesn't fit wheels first into most overhead bins. Plus, the handle is shorter which makes it a little more difficult to maneuver. This is a deal breaker for me since I commute coast to coast and my bag needs to be able to fit in the overheads.

I was wondering how everybody likes the PNT bags? I was thinking about getting the 22" computer bag. One website says the bag will only accommodate a 14 inch computer, but mine's a 15.4 inch screen. Has anybody had trouble fitting a larger laptop into this bag? Also, should I get the bag with or without the side pockets? Do they come in handy or do the zippers just break? Also, how do these bags hold up? The Costco bag has always been good about taking a beating and the zippers never break. Can you say the same about the PNT bag? I'm assuming the PNT bag is pretty good since the dang thing costs 300 bucks! Is the company pretty good about supporting their product?

Sorry about the mass amount of questions, but I want to cover all my bases before dropping such a big chunk of money for a bag.

what is a roller board?? is it a bag?

The reason you see practically every airline pilot (and quite a few F/As) using the Purdy Neat roller bag is because they are functional, extremely durable, and over the long run, an excellent value. My first bag I purchased in 1992, and did not replace it until 2007, and I still have it, and it still works like I want a bag to work--I only replaced it when I got the captain upgrade, as a treat to myself (yeah, I wanted a Harley, but one's tastes, values, and other things change over time). You'll shell out the $ up front, but you'll be hard pressed to find anyone who owns a PN bag who wants their money back...
Chuck

Man o' man, you're gonna get a slew of answers from everybody as this topic is a frequent one.

Anyway, I'm going on 10 years with a PNS. The first five, it took a serious pounding as it had to go in the back with everybody else's bags. 3-5-7 times a day. Combined with the standard wear and tear of the job, dragging it up/down stairs on and off trains buses and subways back and forth to the crashpad. So the zipper handles took a beating, but the zippers themselves held up. The last five years I haven't had that problem as the aircraft has internal crew bag storage. I've only replaced the wheel once, and that was at the 9 year point.

The side pockets come in handy, in the long pocket you can get your jeans/khakis and shirt for the overnight, the short one can fit your workout shorts/shirt. Or whatever combination you can think of.

Overall, I've been happy with the bag as it's held up very well. Especially the handle as it seems to be a weak point on some other brands. But I have the metal framed bag, I guess the resin frame bag, although much lighter/cheaper, is a little weak where the handle goes in and can become damaged easy.

When I bought mine, it came with a 3 year warranty. Right before it expired, I sent it in for a "tune up" at no charge. Came back with new zipper handles and they straightened the frame as it got a little tweaked. You call them, they send you a loaner bag in a box. you put your bag in said box, and send it back to them. When they are done, reverse the process.

It seems guys I work with think the build quality of the bag has diminished over the last few years. I don't know, but looking at the new ones they've done things like put skid guards on the bottom to better protect from going up and down curbs where mine didn't have them.

On the computer issue, no idea. I use a netbook and have no problem. But when I had a 13" laptop, it went in easily with room to spare in summers. Winter, no so much.

YMMV.

And yes a "Roll Aboard" is a bag. Over the years folks have lost the meaning of the word and spoken "roller boards" have been quite common. Maybe it will morph into that in the future as one of those weird language lingos.

Anyway Ditto to the above post. Great warranty, easy to maintain and repair. If you had bought this bag instead of the Costco bag, you probably wouldn't have started this thread. No offense to Costco...I love the Lobsta spread!

Bag. See it here:

Purdy Neat Computer Front Stealth 22" (Black) | Stop-Over Store

Thanks for all the input. I've got another question. Does the clip that holds your flight case detach from the bag when you're checking the bag or not carrying a flight case? From the online pictures, it looks like it's permanently attached to the bag with a screw. Seems like that clip might get in the way if you can't detach it from the bag.

It's permanent, but doesn't seem to get in the way. The strap that goes around the bag itself keeps the hook in place so it's not that bad.

Thanks, never heard of it called a roller board, especially being x military. Are there any bags that are not too heavy? On my first trip I carried my standard issue green military bag and people looked at me funny, but hey it was free I told them. I splurged and bought a bag that rolls at Target and it was only 30 bucks. I dont know if spending a couple hundred bucks is worth it since we get paid so little in this airline business.

It's worth it to get a quality bag. The Costco bag is a really good bag and it's light, but the new re-design completely sucks. It's only $100 and Costco's return policy is the best! I would have stayed with the Costco bag had they not changed it.

It's kinda weird that you can't disconnect the bag hook. As long as it doesn't get in the way, though.

Travelpro FlightCrew 3 Pilot Rollaboard... Travelpro login under flight crew to get access to this bag. All replaceable components.