That's true, but what about that whole trying to maintain a professional appearance thing? It's debatable, but I think backpacks are for hikers/students/etc., not pilots.

I have the Purdy Neat bag with the laptop pouch and LOVE IT. Its a padded pouch built into the front of bag. It doesn't look like much but the padding is a soft honeycomb that does a very good job protecting it. Only problem with it is anything larger than a 15.4 inch screen really won't fit (I have a Dell Inspiron with the 15.4 inch screen and it barely fits) but it beats the hell out of carrying a third bag. I don't commute so that might change your mind. I don't trust it with the bag smashers because if you dropped something on it just right no amount of padding will protect it. I think if I commuted I would go with the separate laptop bag just because of the convenience and because you can keep a book, ipod, earplugs, whatever in it.

i just went out and got a relatively cheap laptop, 100 bucks from my dads IT guy at work! You know the ones that are supposed to be thrown away, but the IT guy sells them out of his car! So i dont really have to worry about it! i usually put it inside my rollaboard, on top of all my clothes and shoes and then put a hooded sweatshirt over it! Only have some minor dings and dents from deadheading a lot last year! I am about to start taking my mac on trips though and that will stay in a laptop case and it will stay on my person at all times!

I went to best buy and bought a cheapy $50 carrying case with the little strap to attach to my rollerboard.

I have a Dell XPS with the big ol screen, and it fits fine in the case. I carry my laptop, a book, ipod, dip, wallet, etc in the case, and theres still room. and its surprisingly a thin carrying case.

And I keep it in the cockpit with me.

Bingo...Holds far more than a Laptop case, and you can use it for double-duty on your days off.

Victorinox (Swiss Army) makes a few black professional Laptop Backpacks that go well with the rollaboard/flight kit combo. Don't get me wrong - I would never be caught dead carrying a pack over my shoulder...:eek: BTW, saw a mainline CAL pilot carrying a cheapo bag on both shoulders...Looks slutty in uniform. Don't do it. Please.

Just don't set it on the floor next to your bed at night! You may wake up the next morning and cleverly step directly onto the screen (YOU may, I doubt if I will again)!

LOL Scarykite not everyone has that kinda luck.. some of us have to pay a little more for ours

True, however I am amazed at how many guys at the majors I see with backpacks. No-kidden.....I see a United or American guy with one in the cockpit at least every month during my commute. Never seen them wear it on the shoulder, they just strap it on there rollerboard and go. Maybe their all hikers on overnights?

Thanks a bunch for the info, sounds like the most common is to just strap it to the rollerboard and just bite the bullet at security. Thanks