Stealth Luggage Advice
 

Anybody have a rolling bag to recommend that does not scream “hey I’m airline crew?” I was a PNT early-adopter and have stuck with the Luggageworks product over the years. The longevity and customer support are demonstrated by the fact that I have only owned 2 in a 28 year airline stint - sent back to manufacturer for reasonable cost complete rebuild several times. My “ international size” Purdy bag is fine, but as we commuters almost always board last these days, it’s over guidelines size makes it a PIA to get stored. I’d like to find greater functionality (cool pockets and innovative features) in a bag that comes close to that in capacity, and helps me remain incognito while out of uniform. Need I go over the reasons why for that last criteria? Everything you can imagine, from “ so you’re a pilot” questions from adjacent seats, to enjoying a cool beverage, to maintaining a low profile in a security threat circumstance. Tips on the latest “cool” in baggage that might work for a crew member would be appreciated.

I just went through the same bag search. Never traveled with anything but my LW 22 or 26in stealth bag, however decided it's time to buy a civilian or semi-civilian bag for traveling on non-work days. Lots of people swore by the Briggs and Riley bags, but I'm not spending $500 for a roller bag. I ended up with a TravelPro of all things, which I previously swore I would never buy a TP bag. Narrowed it down to the 22in TravelPro Platinum Magna 2, two wheel/non-spinner bag. Only difference between the Magna 2 and the newer model bag is a built in charging cable for a battery pack I would never use anyway. Macys had a great deal and I ended up getting a $250+ bag for about $200 total. I'm on my first trip with it and I'm quite happy with the bag. It's not a 26in LW stealth, but it has lots of internal pockets and a larger zipper area for keeping suits or shirts from getting wrinkled. Hope that helps.

Have you checked out Strong Bags?

http://www.strongbags.com/products/bag/vortex-21-flight-crew-luggage-roller.html

You don’t need a suitcase for that, just throw on your headphones and tune out the world! ;)

By the way, I’m a Briggs & Riley fan. Don’t forget they offer a 20% airline discount.

My two favorite options are Briggs and Riley, and the Costco Kirkland Signature 22in carry-on.
The former comes with a lifetime guarantee, and you will very often see business people using them on flights. Many of them swear by that brand. The latter is a near bombproof bag, also with a lifetime warranty, and you can literally just bring it back to any Costco and they will fix or replace it.

https://www.briggs-riley.com/shop/ty...EaAib7EALw_wcB

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Sign...100368877.html

Briggs and Riley. Been using my 20 inch Baseline roll aboard for about 15 years. Works great and doesn't scream aircrew. I also have a 22 inch Baseline roll aboard for slightly longer trips.

Got my wife an e-bags rollaboard that I think is purdy neat. Not sure it will have the capacity you're looking for but it utilizes the space it has very well.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Can you put rollerblade wheels on the Costco bag? Those stock wheels look terrible

Thanks for the replies, everybody! The Strong looks pretty sweet, but is probably still on the "I'm a pilot" side, a bit. The Briggs and Riley is also a quality looking item, but wow, that's a steep price. Out of the suggestions above, the Kirkland special has to be the value leader. So I think I'll look for a smokin' deal on a B & R (Craigslist or eBay perhaps) or take the Costco unit for a test drive, as I know returning it would be a breeze. Again, much appreciated.

The crew stop over store in CVG B terminal has the B&R bag for just over $300, out the door with tax was $390ish.

Bought the costco bag on sale about 3 years ago thinking it wouldn't make it past the summer........must admit it's been much more durable than I thought for $100 would be. I've used it for every 4 day or less trip since and no issues yet.:eek:

Last luggage works bag I had started having major issues a little over a year in (zipper broke, wheel started rubbing, screw kept coming out and/or stripping the metal). For $300, I would expect it to last more han a year. Bought the costco bag as a stop gap as it was actually cheaper than the repairs to keep using luggage works bag. Here we are 2 years later, the costco bag has become my permanent bag. I honestly have no problem buying a new $100 bag every 2-3 years if that’s what it takes. The costco bag is good enough.

Wow. You went a year before your LW bag started falling apart? You did good. They were good when they were Purdy Neat. Not anymore.

Wtf $90 tax

I was thinking the same thing.

I looked at Costco bags for the family recently and they were all the 4 wheel spinners, looked like any other cheapo bag? have they changed?

I've used bags from REI & Eagle Creek for many years both have been awesome. The newest versions of each have changed a bit but still solid.

https://www.rei.com/product/118817/r...ing-luggage-22

https://www.rei.com/product/110158/e...heeled-luggage

I have the Tourwinder and it seems to be less voluminous than my Stealth roller but is half the weight and certainly doesn't scream 'pilot'. The older versions of the Tarmac were my favorite to date, should have stocked up while I could.

The bags carried in the store are the spinner type. The traditional one can be found online.

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Sign...100368877.html

Can the wheels be changed to a rollerblade type with real bearings?

That’s a different bag from the classic Costco 2 wheeler. Much less durable. So it goes.

Copy, that's the one I remember everyone recommending.

Read the reviews on the Kirkland before you buy it. Apparently it’s very different from the original bag that everybody loved.

UAL employees can sign up for 50% off eagle creek stuff. Not sure if other airlines have the same deal.

I see that. I have the old one.

Pulled out my receipt and it was $369.99 + tax. Sorry about that. Guess I’m used to rounding prices down to share the sale price with my husband. :o

That's what I did. I can pick up two used Briggs & Riley off Ebay for the price of one Luggage Works. The 22 Baseline is about all you need, preferably with the garment/suiter option. Works great and everything is high quality.

I’ve been using a Patagonia MLC bag for my transcon commute for years. Great piece of gear. Going abroad I use a single Patagonia Black Hole Bag. 60L size. I could stay gone for an entire season with just that. I too prefer to not be recognized as a pilot when commuting/non-reving.

While working I’ll never use anything but the Purdy Neat bags.

AAFES has discounts on B&R bags if you qualify. Prices are similar to the crew discount, but tax free. I've heard great things about their customer service FWIW.

Just back from a 12 day Euro trip. I went with this Ripcurl Suitcase. https://www.ripcurl.com/us/shop/men/...gage/#Midnight

Great bag, very light weight. Has zippered mesh on each side to separate. A large padded external zipper for laptop. And a great material incase its raining to keep bag dry (perfect for those El Salvador surf trips!)

Good luck!!

Baja.

Fits in overhead?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

I was told that Costco got wise to the pilots using their bags and no longer offers the "lifetime" thing.

Ehh...doubtful. While our cheapness is legendary and causes great pain to some; pilots are a very small percentage of the general population not to mention Costco members.

The bolts they use are garbage, I stripped the hex socket trying to remove mine to replace with rollerblade wheels.

I just ordered it. Gonna do a side by side comparison with my aging travel pro I’ve had for eleven years. If it’s no bueno back to the store it goes. It’s too bad you can just see it in the store. I’m having a hard time rationalizing $200+ for a new suitcase so I’m gonna at least look at this Costco bag

Nothing to add.
I’ll follow this thread as I’m ‘in between’ bags and currently lugging a High Sierra with crooked wheels :rolleyes:

Away
 

This one is by a company called Away. It looks good and the price is comparable to other bags.

https://www.awaytravel.com/luggage/carry-on

Spinners are garbage.

Strong bags has a lifetime warranty. I like mine.

I’m going full back pack. Backpack for flight bag and roll aboard. Wireless earbuds and a snarky attitude. We’re a new generation and fight back against what your generation created, including bulky, overpriced roll aboards made with toxic chemicals and child labor. My new backpack will be socially responsible and fair trade as wel.

How's about wheelie shoes, can't forget wheeelies!