xjtguy

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.

ForeverFO

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.

afterburn81

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.

skybolt

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.

skybolt

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.

Timbo

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?

Herkulesdrvr

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?

DashAlmighty

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.

DashAlmighty

By the way whats the name of your LW service company?

afterburn81

Actually you have no clue what goes into building these bags. You might think so but unless you have spent weeks on the production line working closely with the company addressing issues all while trying to keep it within a price range that applies to people make in 30K a year to 300K a year you would be quite surprised at all of the work and quality assurance that goes into a bag. From start to finish it's close to 5 hours of manufacturing per bag.

That's kind of like a passenger saying I should be able to get anywhere in the U.S. at anytime for $300 or less. They have no clue what actually goes into the operation and base it off of their tiny little experience.

Trust me, they are manufactured right on U.S. soil. All of them. The only part that is assembled over seas is the outter shell. It is partially made in China and finished here in the states. Surprisingly enough it is no cheaper having it done over seas anymore. LW is pretty much ready to have it all made right here in America.

The bags did go through a rough period from about 2004-2009. Just like everyone during that time period they had it tough too. Things have gotten a lot better. And that will continue.