New Hire FO Luggage Questions
 

Hello all. I am a new hire FO coming from the military and part 91 world. For those jobs I traveled internationally for extended periods of time, so I had a huge bag. Obviously this will not be the case with PSA. My question is this: what luggage would you suggest, both for size and utilit? I do not want to purchase an expensive piece of luggage only to find it will not fit on the 700/ 900. At the same time I do not want luggage that will fit, but then find that the utility of the bag is atrocious. Bonus question: does anyone have any advice on a cooler for trips? I was considering purchasing one to toss some food in to save $/ keep snacks in/ eat a little healthier while on the road. Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks!

Briggs & Riley fits in the 700/900 overhead bin. That steel box Luggage works, that everyone recommends does not fit in the CRJ 700 overhead easily, if at all.

Agree 100%. The Briggs is excellent and has a lifetime warranty. Great bag that will work in all aircraft. It’s expensive but most carriers get a discount. You can also use it on leisure travel and won’t stand out as aircrew.

Depending on the length of the trip, the smaller TravelPro Flight Crew 5 (small) cooler is great for a 2-day (or just hold some snacks) and the Luggage Works Aurora is great for 3 day trips. The larger Luggage Works does keeps things colder for longer but still fills up quickly if you're trying to pack for every meal on a 3-day. These are the two I use.

I've seen some guys bring a Yeti travel cooler which I imagine would pack quite a bit and keep things much colder than the crew models with the drawback of it being so cumbersome. Just please don't be that guy lugging around the styrofoam 7-11 variety... seen that once.

Are you going to be a commuter? If so, will you be on regional or mainline aircraft? The Briggs is a great bag, but I wouldn't want it if I were commuting on regional aircraft. It would be destroyed. And yes, the lifetime warranty is great, but you have to get it to an authorized service center...if you don't live near one that's a headache. The "standard" LW bags are ugly, heavy, but as indestructible as it gets. I've owned both, no longer commute, and love the Briggs. If you get the Briggs: order the replacement wheel kit and get a spare carry on strap at time of purchase. Those two things are what you'll likely need before anything.

I have the Luggage works Aurora 22". It fits in the overhead as long as you dont way over pack. Its cheaper and lighter too. Im sure its not the most durable bag, but its still going strong over two years. Aerocoast cooler flight bag is well insulated, but I would go with yeti if you wanted a stand alone cooler.

it would get possibly beat up on a CRJ or a ERJ-145. A 175 would be fine since bags can fit in the overhead bin.

+1 for Briggs & Riley. Lifetime warranty is really nice.

I carry the new Paradox Avation Cases and they are REALLY nice and a huge step forward from Luggage Works and Travel Pro and way cheaper thant Briggs.! I have both thier 22 and thier 25 and swap back and forth depending on the length of my trips. The 22 fits every overhead bin every time. The 25 fits almost every time with the exception being old Delta 767s where it goes sideways just not wheels in. www.pa
radoxaviationllc.com

+2 for Briggs and Riley! They give all 121 pilots a one-time discount and their customer service is unparalleled!

My dear Lord that is the ugliest piece of luggage I have ever seen BUT I bet it is insanely durable! Thank you, I am looking into them!

How's the durability? Specifically, how bad is the aluminum finish getting scratched up?

They get scratches and dings for sure, like all aluminum luggage whether it is Rimowa at $2K per bag or the Paradox cases I have. I like it honestly, it is a testimate to our life on the road plus if I ever want I can add some stickers etc. Speaking to customer service I would say that Paradox is top of the line, the only issue I had was a hook broke when I forgot to take it off when checking my case and they had one to me on the road the next day!