Luggage choice: LW, SB or TP
 

I am new to all this, so.....
from reading the very few threads on this, the choices (and their weaknesses) seem to be:
Luggage works Stealth, Stealth Air, or Stealth Aviator (zipper issues, kickplate issues)
Strong Bags Vortex (telescoping handle issues?)
Travel Pro (seems a lot lighter and lacks a full metal frame)

Please weigh in!

Luggage works 22inch stealth

/thread

My Travelpro Crew series is on year 5 and I've only had to replace the wheels once. I replaced them with the inline wheels, as they are much more durable. I've had the zipper pulls replaced here and there as well. I still have not spent what one of those metal frame things cost.

Don't believe the hype of the $300 bag, $1000 headset, and $300 sunglasses...better things to spend your hard-earned money on, like shirts!

-Proud wearer of company-provided headset and $20 sunglasses. :)

Travelpro aerowind from Costco. 99 dollars and I can return it whenever I want.

If you commute in an RJ, then get one with a metal frame. Mine has taken a beating and a plastic frame would have broke a long time ago. If you don't I've heard good things about the Costco bag.

Can't speak to the others, but agree with this. The thing's a tank.

I have a stealth aviator. Wish I had an executive aviator. The plastic ones my friends have hold up just fine and are a lot lighter. I see a lot of bent metal (mine included) that plastic would take just fine. I've had mine for 2.5 years in this industry and I have two broken zipper pulls, scratches and dents in the exterior metal, squeaky wheels, and that's about it. The stealth series has no protection on the metal around where the kick plate is, which routinely gets hit on curbs. After a year or so the aluminum shows through from all the paint getting scratched/chipped off and looks bad, whereas the plastic executive one has ribs on it meant to absorb the curb rash going up and down. Scratched plastic is hardly noticeable against textured plastic. After this one I am not getting another stealth again. Oh and not to mention the metal feet/corners hurt like a mofo when you kick them and scratch many surfaces.

IMO the plastic frame LW is far more durable and resistant to RJ/rampie stuff. The metal frame isn't any "stronger" but it will dent and bend, permanently, very easily whereas the plastic will bounce back. Anything strong enough to physically break the plastic will devastate the metal as well so what's the difference. Might as well get a lighter and cheaper bag.

EFB or paper charts?
If your hanging 40 lbs on the hook then metal frame.
If not then plastic frame is fine.
TP ok, but not in same league but you can afford a new one
every other year.
The more $ you spend the longer it generally will last with Luggage works.

Whatever matches best with your purse

40 lbs on the hook is only applicable when rolling it...that's not when weight matters. You can stuff a couple dead bodies worth of weight in one and roll it all day. Where it is a pain is lifting it up, which occurs in a hotel room, when it goes to an overhead bin, up stairs, in a van, in your car, and many other everyday occurrences.

+1. My metal bag is destroyed after 2 years. Well, everything but the frame. I was told it would cost the same amount to overhaul it as it would to buy a brand new plastic frame bag that is lighter, cheaper, and just as durable.

Weight takes a toll on the bag frame, especially going over curbs and such.
If you're having trouble lifting your roller bag either have the F/A stow it
for you or leave your D cell batteries at home.
Oh and get the 26 incher. Makes everyone think your a wide body guy.

Mine is going on 7 years of hard use. Only repair was new wheels.

Costco bag. 100 bucks

Save your money.

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Sign....11760915.html

Another +1 for the plastic frame LW. My metal one bowed and eventually snapped (somehow) by the wheel housing. Replaced with the much lighter plastic frame and it has held up better in the same amount of time of ownership. No sharp corners, super light and stays black and clean all the time.

Whatever fits the most lube and prophylactics

When I first started, I went with Travelpro. Within my first year of flying, I had to have it repaired 2 or 3 times. Got fed up with the poor quality and sprung for the LW. After 5 years of beatings, that bag is still holding strong. Haven't even had to change the wheels yet.

Luggage choice: LW, SB or TP
 

Haven't put it through the wringer yet (and I won't be commuting), but I just got the newest Travelpro Flight Crew5 Pilot (22") they released this past summer and I'm impressed... Lots of room, tons of pockets, expandable (if you so choose), and a better aesthetic than LW or SB, in my opinion. Obviously that's subjective, but at the very least it doesn't scream flight crew like the others, and has a nice, sleek look.

The handle has multiple height settings, which could be good or bad in the long-run, as far as durability... Not sure on that point yet.

If you go to their website, every once-in-a-while a box pops-up that offers 20% off if you sign-up for their newsletter, so I got it for about $135 with free shipping. Not a bad deal at all.


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Not enough information.

When/where/how will you be using it?






.

I have had the plastic frame going on 15+ years. (CRJ). A bit small for 4 day trips with winter clothes. Great in the summer.

Got 10 years out of bag #1, only sent it back once for a "tune up". Frame was straightened out, zippers replaces, and screws that came out replaced, etc. Was like a new bag. Commuted the whole time with it. Albeit, not on RJ's. Just occasional DH's and not much exposure.

Almost 7 years on bag #2, still going strong. Same, no RJ commuting and just sporadic RJ exposure. Bag 2 is the "suiter" with the additional pocket on the flap. If I need to, I can easily get 10-12 days worth in it if I need to. Or, in the winter I can easily carry the overnight coat as well as a whole slew of other things with no additional bag required. But it will be heavy.

Although, bag #1 was purchased in 2000 when it was PNS and the bag was better built IMO. Better/stouter nylon, etc but the kick plate was weak and separated on the 90 degree bend where it guards the bottom of the bag.

Bag #2, has a better kick plate with a guard on it at the 90 degree bend and is showing ZERO signs of fail.

I haven't looked at the plastic frame bag lately. But it USED to be the weak spot was where the handle mounted in the top frame. It wouldn't take long before that area of frame weakened/fatigued where the telescoping handle mounted.

Granted, that WAS when EVERYONE had a flight bag and that was the spot that took the most flex/stress. Especially when going up and down curbs, etc.

Seems I remember PNS having a longer warranty period than LW. But it is nice to call LW, have a loaner sent to you in a box that you place your bag in and send it back for work if needed. Then repeat to get your bag back.

Sorry - regional New Hire FO - ERJ145
non commuter - paper binders for now. EFBs any day now, any day

Leaning towards lifetime guarantee 11 lb Costco special. Those LW bags dominate the scene as far as other pilots, but they sure are ugly and heavier.

26" bag was suggested by some - is that necessary? any issues stowing it if flying an ERJ145 for the indefinite future?

There's a very good reason LW dominates the scene.

Strong Bags, hands down for me. I have used mine for seven years and have yet to replace a part. Everything is replaceable on it, even the skin. So in theory you should never have to replace the bag, just individual components. The telescopic handle is pretty durable and rigid, and if it does break, I think it's only $25 for a new one. Everything on this bag is replaceable. I've used this bag in every type of environment from regional, corporate, and fractional. Ive had 7 days worth of cap packed in it. The skin can be taken off and washed when it gets dirty, there is no paint to scuff down to the metal, or sharp edges to cut yourself on, and the frame is metal. When I got mine it came with a duffle for free that is still in use today as well (still looks brand new). I just recently got the crew cooler to go along with it, and is equally as well made. I lookforward to many years out of it as well.

I really like my LW stealth metal version, but holy cow it's heavy. Mine's got the beefed up zippers and stuff so I feel like it'll last (going on a year and a half now and no damage, half of that commuting). When I see TP I just assume it belongs to a FA..
As for the strongbags cooler, I don't think it can be beaten. I love mine (after having several other competing brands' versions) as it'll hold ice easily all day and food for any 4 day really

Will a 26" even fit in the crj ? I think 7 and 9 it would be OK? But the 200 I wouldn't think so?

26 inch doesn't meet carry on guidelines, so out of uniform the gate agent may make you check it.

20% off all orders with "presday2017" code until the end of the month

I've had same bag for 10 years and have not replaced anything on it. I've rolled my bag over curbs, checked it into the back of crj's, and rolled it through slush mixed with type IV fluid on the way to the aircraft. The brand is Pathfinder. 5-10 years ago I saw many pilots with the same bag. I may be the only one left still using this durable bag, have not seen another one in a while.

Does anyone have any coupon codes for LuggageWorks?

Yes, it does fit on the 200. It's only 4" longer. But it won't fit in many overhead bins wheels-first. Also doesn't fit the "rules" for carry-on luggage, so subject to early termination.

As mentioned, it's over the carry on size limit bit will fit in other than RJ bins length wise. But takes up a lot of room and if you're non-revving/JS'ing, last on for WHATEVER reason it may be hard to find a place for it.

If it's volume/capacity you need, get the "Suiter". Not as much as the 26" probably overall but still a lot of space to pack a lot of stuff.

leaning towards Kirkland $99 special, or LW Stealth. is there anyway to get LW meaningfully below list price?

Occasionally see them pop up on eBay, as well as "The Boneyard" section here.

No, don't need the space. The LW Aurora 26 is on sale for the same price as the 20 so I was thinking why not?

True, whatever works for you.

I was simply mentioning what's easier (less of a pita) if you're commuting, DH'ing, non reving, whatever and you're last on and overhead bin space won't accomdate a 26" bag.

Guys, anything larger than 22" is overkill. I say this as a heavy, heavy packer. I'm talking about copious amounts of men's grooming products and workout supplements (creatine, whey, bcaas, etc..) plus all my clothes. It all fits in a 22". Anything larger and you are going to battle FAs and gate agents every time you travel in or out of uniform.

How so? The only time I got into a "discussion" with a gate agent was when he tried to tell me that my 22" wouldn't fit in a CRJ200 overhead bin. Tried several times to force me to pink tag it. I calmly explained to him several times that I know, I operate on these tiny jets every day. He tried SO hard...

22" is the largest standard size for carry on luggage. Even if you managed to slip by the gate agents undetected, good luck finding overhead space. Not worth it when everything fits perfectly fine in a 22"...but to each their own.