Overnight bags and Flight Cases
 

Maybe i'm missing the point about overnight bags and flight cases, but why on god's green earth would anyone spend $300 on an overnight and $200 on a flight case....sorry...just a random vent.

Because that is what a quality product will cost you - you sound eerily similiar to our Pax that whine about paying $50 NY-LAX round-trip because they don't get a meal ;)

This:
http://www.ebags.com/us_luggage_solo...?modelid=43469

Plus this:
http://www.ebags.com/delsey/helium_f...?modelid=90789

Has served me well for about 7 months so far...I don't commute though. Commuters probably need something tougher, but I still dont see shelling out 500 bucks for bags on 1st year pay...just doesn't make sense.

I would rather suck it up and drop a little more money and buy something quality that will last rather than a bag prone to have it's handle snap off in the terminal. I know there are many who will swear by their $40 bag they bought at Sams Club but I have always felt, on most occasions, that you get what you pay for.

Get a good quality bag. You're going to spend more time with your overnight bag then you will most any other person in your life.

Bags take a beating, and those flight cases are heavy. Sometimes they last, sometimes they don't, it's partly luck of the draw with the less expensive bags. After going through a bag every couple months though, you say "to hell with this" and end up getting one good bag that will last you more than a couple years. Yeah, it costs a little more, and it might cost a little more in the long run even, but there's something to be said about being able to rely on your bag and having the "luxury" of not having to deal with the hassle of replacing it every 6 months.

I agree with the "you get what you pay for" theory

that said, for a flight bag you might look for "sample cases". They often have the same dimensions, but since they are not designed for flight, you don't pay twice as much for the same thing. my "sample case" is the same quality as the company's "flight case" (except for the pencil holders) and cost about 60% as much.

just a thought

I was about to go the cheaper route until I found out that my bag was going to be thrown into the back every time. Once I heard this, it was a no brainier.

And the more expensive bags have a few features such as replacable wheels, longer handles and J hooks which make life a little better.

After two months my cheapie bag broke. Bought a new one from Strongbags and after three months it's just now starting to show a few scuffs.

Because they feel like less a pilot I guess. Like those kids in flight school that had the $100 aviator etc. in class. I don't know. I spent $40 on my flight case and $50 on my bag. It's a samsonite bag that still looks new. Of course there are those that will lecture you over the subject of how it's reasonable but they are as delusional as the next. Financially speaking there's no reason to spend 2% +of your income, pre tax mind you, on two bags. Wait till you make more. Most companies will give you an allowance after your first year to purchase clothes, or items, with. At RAH we get $200. I'll probably use that when my bag breaks. I guess there's a reason why I'm debt free, putting 30% in savings, and not worried about money while most of america is just the opposite. They have no problem trying to make you see otherwise but wonder why the economy is the way it is.

So to sum it up I'm a commuter. I've never been home based. My bag cost $50 from Marshall's. It's a Samsonite travel bag. On the back of it I carry my flight case which I even put my laptop in which adds another 6 pounds. My flight case tops 30+lbs. My bag is almost a year old and still looks new. All the crap people said about how it would fall apart, how it wouldn't last more than a few months, how it would look worn and old was just that. A bunch of crap. A desperate stab to justify spending all this money while making a poor FO's wages. Any financial planner would call it a horrible investment. I toss it, pack it in the back for most legs, stuff it full, drag it everywhere, commute with it for every trip, and it's still a champ. Plus it has a 5yr warranty. Should a wheel ever break or if a handle should one day break, they'll replace the bag. Use your head. If you have to put something on credit card then you shouldn't be buying it. I see these guys witch $600 in bags and another $600+ in headsets then complain about how they don't make enough and never have money. I have to sit there and try not to ask them what the hell they were planning on happening.

I invested in a quality headset from day 1. It's called protecting your hearing. Unlike the bag, there's no warranty on your hraring, and you can't replace it. The only reason I didn't buy a Bose is because I couldn't afford it when I started my flight training. Once I have the cash, I'll have no problem spending $1000 on a headset if it's going to be the most beneficial choice in the long run.

Although I do believe that you get what you pay for, I've realized that most things in aviation are overpriced by default, so if I can find a bag that's just as convenient and durable as the "designer" flight bags, I'll go for it.

I bought the LuggageWorks Stealth, because it was recommended by many people who had much more experience than I did. I bought a cheap solo case for my flight kit, and I've been using my Lightspeed headset that I've had for 3 or 4 years, and it's workin' fine. You don't have to baby the luggageworks stuff. It's hard core. I'll try a Bose in the jungle jet before I buy one. I don't know how much of a difference it'll make. In a prop plane it makes a huge difference though.

First of all thanks for the almighty financial planning and responsibility lecture. Although I do take if with a grain of salt from anyone that would consider luggage an investment. I expect a financial return on my investments, all I expect from my luggage is to carry my stuff without breaking.

Second, speaking of breaking luggage, I tried two cheap bags and broke them both, not by abusing them either. Nothing like commuting and deadheading frequently on reserve with a handle that is stuck fully extended! After getting a nice bag I haven't had a problem in the 3 years since I bought it. And headsets, well they should not be part of this discussion, totally different topic.

Those kids aren't paying for it - Mommy and Daddy is forking the cash out. Either that or they already have 80 grand in debt for flight school so what is another grand. I also have no debt and that is why I am reading this thread with interest in getting tips on good cheap luggage. What flight case did you buy?

Something like this?
http://www.ebags.com/products/index....ELAID=26883679

Actually...I PAID FOR IT! Mommy and Daddy didn't help. I had 2 of the $50 Office Max specials fall apart on me in 1.5 years...one at home...the other one the handle fell off on day 1 of a 4 day!!!

So yes, I paid 400 dollars for a coyotewerks bag with metal plates and a lifetime bag drag guarentee....You get what you pay for.

There you have it folks, Toilet is the end all be all in advice on how YOU should spend YOUR money. Thanks for the investment and fiscal responsibility lecture dad.:rolleyes: How's your XJT stock doing by the way?

I'm with G2TT on this one. Luggage is not an investment, its a place to put your stuff and drag it along with you on a trip. Period. That it. Nothing else. And as such I want it to do the job I bought it for as simply, efficiently and with as little trouble as possible. If it costs a little more, fine. I'd rather spend $300 for a bag thats gonna last me 5 years then spend $50-100 on a bag with a 5 year warranty that I gotta go get fixed or replaced every year. Its worth the extra Benjamins (IMHO) to not have to hassle with broken bags and warranty repairs.

I have the Purdy Neat bag with the laptop pouch, cost me $280 and I have never thought twice about it. The thing is 2 years old this March and I have had ZERO problems with it. If it lasts me a couple more trouble-free years then I can guarantee you that every bag I purchase for work here on out will be a Purdy Neat bag.

PS
I wouldn't take luggage advice from a guy who used to think carrying a red back pack was the way to go for airline pilots:D

well at least some people arent living above their means, since i see more and more Costco bags in terminals these days.

People these are great bags! $99 and youll never buy a new bag again. Guaranteed to be the lightest bag youll ever own as well. Lifetime warranty, meaning if something breaks on it, you walk into Costo with the old bag and walk out with a brand new one. No mailing anything back, no pain, no nothing. I love CostcoBag (actually its called the Kirkland signature 22 inch rollaboard)

It is easy to be light when you do away with little things, like a steel frame.

I like my bags like I like my shoes. No metal :)

What about a Telex headset? I would love to find a bargain price.

ebay??????

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TELEX...spagenameZWDVW

So very true...!

That steel frame is great insurance - forget about having to worry if your bags are going to fall apart on you in the middle of a 4-day :eek:. I'd spend $500+ on a bag if I had to, to avoid that nightmare. So call me fiscally irresponsible, TD ;)

haters! haha

Once I have the cash, I'll have no problem spending $1000 on a headset if it's going to be the most beneficial choice in the long run.


Check out Clarity Aloft, Its half the money and offers twice the protection. It weighs 1.5 ounces and has no electronics to break, best investment i ever made. I agree with you about protecting hearing. Bags....not so much....

Thanks naley!

What no one tells you about those bags with the steel frame is that when you buy, you are also buying a chair when room is tight at the gate or when you're tired and waiting for the crew bus. Also, if theres ever a gang fight out on the ramp you got something to duck behind:D

Always good to have in places like PHL!

what? you cant hold your in own in philly? amateurs

Just have to remember what colors to wear at what gate! lol

hey hoser is your name in reference to a 135 callsign at KWRI? im a reservist on the other side of the ramp from you guys

It's an extremely volatile stock so when day trading it's been a real blessing. So doing quite well thanks. Secondly the original post was in the form of a question and this is a place for open debate.

I bet that post took you like 5hrs to type with being so crippled from flying the erj. haha. Why so cranky? Can't get any from your other hand? And weren't you just all mad and shaking your fist asking why I post if not to be constructive?

And before you say something else stupid let it be noted that EVERYTHING is an investment. Also I can't seem to figure out why you keep asking about my XJT stock. I know you're rubbing those two IQ points up there together to try and take a jab at me but you do realize that's your company you're making fun of for the stock tumbling right? ANYTHING that draws funds from your account limits the earning potential that money could have. Like I said there's a reason why I have money and so many here seem to complain how they don't. I'm not saying I have a lot, but I am financially responsible and carry no balances on anything.

As far as spending $1k on Bose. Try earplugs they're free. As far as a bag goes just go to Marshalls and look at them with your own two eyes. Look for quality build. Sometimes items are simply overstocked and they have a whole pile for cheap. My quality Samsonite has held up like a champ and if I break it I get it replaced.

I haven't said spending money on a quality item is fiscally irresponsible. I'm saying an FO making 18-22k a year base who can barely pay rent, dues, uniform expenses, or buy food needs to get something that will get them by till they can afford more. Why not take that money and invest it? There's no reason for anyone to go into debt. Once in it's very hard to get out as most people don't change their spending habits. If you can control yourself on something like this, which qualifies as a major purchase, then you'd be amazed how much money you'll have in only a years time. I've almost managed to get enough together to buy a house in the area I want. I guess I just don't see why others wouldn't strive for the same. Regardless there's never a reason to carry money on a credit card. Don't care where you go you'll see it's the second worst thing to do financially. The first being making payments on a new car.

Good for you. I prefer investing to trading but thats me. I prefer to enjoy a life away from the markets and the computer and the newspaper and CNBC where I can make smart investments which grow on their own (38% last year BTW) with very little input from me and without having my mind on it 24 hours a day. But thats me.

Maybe if you'd go ahead and read the entire post (and quote it if you're going to use that to accuse me of not being constructive) past the part where XJT stock was mentioned you would have found the constructive part. But you're right, the first sentence was a jab at you and not constructive to anyone else. But the other 15 or so sentences were of a constructive nature. I some people just see what we want to see.

Gonna disagree with ya chief. Everything is NOT an investment. An investment is something I expect a return on. When I buy food I'm not buying it for some return down the road (except the dump I might take later). In fact, most consumables are NOT investments. They are the stuff you buy because you need it to live, do your job or be happy. If it makes you feel good to think of everything as an investment, then go nuts. Let me know how that due diligence goes on that bag of Doritos or the new pair of socks:rolleyes:

As far as the stock price goes, I don't own any SO I DON'T GIVE A RIP! I was just getting a jab in at your poor investment decision. Nothing more. Listen, I don't really care what the price does, I'm not leaving here unless I get a better oppurtunity elsewhere or they shut the doors. As far as I am concerned any other regional would be a step down at this point and I don't have the PIC time or brown-nosing skills to go to a major yet. So the stock goes up, the stock goes down...whatever. I still get paid the same, enjoy the people I work with, have fun at work and get treated with some respect from one of the best managements in the business. What more can a guy ask for? I guess it wouldn't be terrible if people above me on the seniority list with a "chicken little" mentality started bailing but I don't see that happening. Most people here believe in the company so we'll either share in the success or ride this sucker in.

Or you could just buy something thats not gonna break on you unless you use it to suppress a bomb blast. Different ways to crack the same nut. I'm an ease of ownership guy. The less aggravation something causes me, be it a car, a piece of luggage or a woman, the better and the lack of aggravation is my dividend.

Hey Professor, how bout worry about yours and quit lecturing every one else. And just FYI, if I ever consider $300 a "major purchase" then I'm in need of more financial help than the illustrious Toilet Duck can offer. OUT!

for my bag I bought http://www.crewgear.com/default.asp?...%20%20%20BLACK

It was $120 and has a 4 year warranty

For my flight case I bought (ok I didnt buy it, it was a gift from my wife last year, i probably would have gone with the standard leather one but so far I enjoy this one.)
http://www.crewgear.com/default.asp?...t&WCE=CGFC18WH

It was $199 and has a 3 year warranty

I can vouch for what everyone else says on the hearing. I use a Bose which I bought when I started my commercial and I just bought a lightspeed mach 1 which I have yet to try but have heard good things. One of the reasons for switching to the mach 1 is saving space in my flight bag as well as something a little less obtrusive on my head for the 16 hour days.

I went with the cheap luggage because I have read and heard good things about it and with a 4 year warranty I really do not have that much to lose. If it kicks the bucket then I will weigh my options.

I got one of the $40 Office Depot flight cases and after 7 months its doing fine. Even if I have to buy a new one every year to make sure it doesn't come apart on me during a trip I'm still ahead of the game compared to a "quality" bag.

I picked up a buddy's skid plate reinforced bag and couldn't believe the weight. To me the weight difference is enough alone to pick the cheap bag.

And the Costco rollers are excellent for others like me on a budget.

No, used to be a Firefighter.... Fly Hercs w/ 156AS

Luggage and flight cases are a compromise. My current flight case is a Jeppesen made out of vinyl. It is much lighter than the leather case I had before. Plus, the leather case soaked up water and de-ice fluid when sitting on the ramp. I think that is what rotted the threads holding the bottom piece in place. The one bad thing about the Jeppesen is the combination lock. The numbers are hard to read.

I have been flying at an airline for over 25 years..... The difference between a cheap bag and an expensive bag (purdy, luggae works) is howlong it will last. Before this type of bag was available I was purchasing a new bag annually. Since I have purchased one of these I have used the same bag for over 12 years. I did have it rebuilt once (around $100) but it came back pretty much like new. So in the long run the expensive bag was cheaper. Same can be said for a good leather flight bag..... I have seen bags that have been used over 30 years!

I agree I have used my bag as a chair, and also as a foot rest when I have a seat in the boarding area!