When my PNS bag was replaced I went with the "Suiter" model or whatever it's called. The additional compartment on top is great in the winter and allows me to add ALL the stuff I need. I can get 5-6 days (if need be) of the usual socks/tshirts/underwear/uniform plus my winter jacket/hat/gloves in it. If it's warm and I don't want to wear the blazer, I can get it in there as well.

I'd echo the statements about the concern of a better handle stowage system. Every time I have to gate check my bag I always cringe as I'm fastening the flimsy velcro fastener to hold the handle in place and pray it comes back in the same way I left it.

The only things I care about in a rollaboard are...

1) Handles that retract easily and simply never, ever, ever, ever break. I don't want to see screws backing out, and I shouldn't have to apply silicone spray or WD-40 to the mechanism. The system should be strong enough so a drunk supermodel could hitch a ride on it.

2) Straps that also never, ever, ever (you get the idea).

3) Wheels of a quality that force you to guard your bags against theft from skateboard thugs who want to steal them.

4) Polished white rhino horn handles, elephant ivory trim, snow leopard skin lining, and a secret Glock compartment. The wheels should have generators that can recharge an iPad.

I could live without #4, but the others are must-haves.

Yeah although I have yet to come across a bag with a destroyed handle, the little velcro strip could easily be improved. They have eliminated the destroyed handle problem by creating the new SS handle. The old (black) aluminum handle was easily bent or broken. If you can break or even bend the new handle, you have done something with enough force that might have shifted the earths axis a bit.

I have seen what happens to the machine that makes the handles when things are misaligned. They are tough for sure.

If you can make it in the USA, by American -tax paying -workers, I'll likely buy it. Outsource it and I'll eBay source old ones until I retire. I'm an admitted square peg, but I don't buy anything Chinese unless that is the last resort.

I support "Main street" whenever I can, and suggest every one do the same.

There's more to keeping the handle stowed than handle protection. I was commuting home once and when placing my bag into the overhead bin I let the bag tilt. When tilted, the SS handle slid out to full extension and narrowly missed smashing a paying pax in the face. That was almost an ugly deal.

In 1996, I bought a Purdy Neet big heavy Inter. bag, I'm still using it today, but about 6 years ago I ruptured a disc in my back, had surgery, then bought a Purdy Neet "Light Weight" 20" (?) roller bag, as a replacement for my larger/heavier PN Big, heavy, International 24"(?) Bag.

The light weight bag frame is mostly plastic, and mine has a cracked frame piece on the side where it hits the curb.

Do you do fix up work on those, or should I send it back to Purdy Neet?

I sent my big bag in for a tune up years ago, and for about $85 they replaced all the zippers and put the SS handle in it. It looked almost new when it came back, but this was many years ago. I would like to send them the small plastic framed bag to get that fixed, so I can use it, and leave my big heavy bag at home.

Do they still do tune ups, or do you do it for them?

I can't indorse the rub rails above the wheels enough...weakest link in my view. I added my own cut from a plastic cooking board from WalMart and a table saw. Plus they protect the back pocket from being ripped off or open. The kick plate I upgraded to 1/8 inch, this bag is easy to up grade by yourself if you are just a little handy.

Oh yeah, the zippers suck...lmao! Other then that first and for most made in the USA is paramount... go offshore, I'm out dog!

Oh one more your wheels suck. You can't tell me there top end mine squeaked from day one. Lucky my kid had a pair of K2's laying around and took hit for the team!

does the pretty neats sell plastic frames? Just had someone ask me about it but I wasn't sure. I don't invest in these higher end names anymore but wondered if anyone knew about the pretty neats?

Anything over $300 is crap. Even with higher-end more expensive luggage you are still just paying for the name. We need the perfect combination of reliability and affordability.