Flight Case and Luggage
 

Im looking into buying a map case and some luggage to take on the road with me when I start flying the line. Any suggestions would be great. I'll be in the CRJ-200 and I hear they have a great spot for the map case and there are map cases that fit perfect. Any help from any CRJ drivers would be great.

What's a map case? Do you mean a flight case? If you do, purdy neat ballistic is a good case. Plenty of pockets and very durable for about $150. As far as a roller I've got a travel pro like most guys in the business, but there's other stuff in the market that will probably be more durable. The difference is the travel pro runs about $110 and is payroll deductible.

Here's a site for the flight case:

http://www.stopoverstore.com/product...nid2/15/nid/16

Yeah....flight case I guess....I'm still learnin the "airline" lingo..:D

Most airliners have the same size spot for flight cases so anything you buy that is made for an airline pilot should fit. Like previosly stated, some of the ballistic nylon bags offer great bang for the buck. I like my scott leather case. I would stay away from the exterior metal frame luggage bags. They are very trendy, very expensive and every RJ pilot has one. IMHO You're better off getting a travel pro bag.

I disagree. The exterior metal frame bags will sure take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. What sold me was talking to a United pilot who was buyinga replacement for his "piece of sh!t Travel Pro" (his words, not mine) and getting the exterior metal frame bag. I'd rather buy one bag and have it last 6 years than have to go back every 6 mos to have my bag fixed and get stuck with a loaner and then buying a replacement every 2-3 years. In my opinion you get what you pay for. If you want to go cheap, do it but do it knowing that doing it will mean your stuff will not last.

Stopoverstore.com A selection including the Purdy Neat that someone above mentioned.

Well I dunno but I will say that My Jepp one is pretty badass and make sure that you do your sticker presentation carefully, some guys just slap on stupid stickers in rediculous places. If ya want some pointers Ill email ya apic of mine, its done quite tastefully ;)

Purdy Neat Stuff from Stopover store. Flight case (without wheels) fits perfectly in the 145 and from what I understand the CRJ 200. The exterior metal frame luggage (I think it's called the "Stealth" something or other) from them is also your best bet as well. While it's pricey, it's guaranteed for life, so it'll be the first and last time you have to buy one. If anything ever breaks, you can send it back and they'll fix/replace it for free. In the meantime you can bust out that travelpro to get you back and forth ;)

I understand the "get what you pay for" mentality. However, as a stop gap what is the best for the buck? I have no desire to spend half of my paycheck on luggage, chart bags, etc. I'd rather wait for a little more disposable income and eat a little better in the short term.

That mentality makes very little sense. You're saying you would rather buy a $80 bag AND buy a $250 bag 6 mos to a year later? If you can payroll deduct it, do it. Thats an interest free credit card. If you can't, go apply for an interest free credit card. I guess you could use a garbage bag and just toss your stuff in there and carry it over your shoulder. That might be your best bet.

I'm not talking 6 months, I was asking if there's a brand or model that is a little lower on cost but still durable enough to last three or four years. If 6 months is all I'd get out of saving a few bucks now it would quickly become obvious that you'd spend replacing the cheapies really fast.

The Purdy Neat Stealth is a good bag. Heavy, built like a tank, high capacity for those long trips. Remember that your suitcase is about to become your mobile home, get one you will enjoy.

As far as flight case, I was looking for cheap and durable, and bought the aluminum tool box version from Harbor Freight. $30 plus shipping, and it does everything that I need it to do, and I really don't see it breaking anytime soon. Maybe not as "hip" as a black leather one, but many that fly for our airline carry them, and if I do end up trading it in someday for a nice Scott leather, I'm still only out about $30. Someone posted a link to it the other day, I'll look for that...

Here's the link to the Harbor Freight case...

Nope, the link I used didn't work, I guess. I'll keep looking.

Finally...Here's the link...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36871

...and you would look really cool. :D

Thats my point. There are not many pieces of luggage that can stand up to 3 or 4 years of the airline lifestyle. Especially if you commute. If you go buy some cheap Costco brand luggage you can expect it to fall apart within about a year or so. Nevermind the warranty you get on the better bags. Even the Travel Pros seem to last at most 2-3 years until people get fed up with the constant trips to the luggage store for repairs and the loaner bags. The only problem I have ever heard of anyone having with the Purdy Neat bags is burning out the wheels which are easily replaced with normal rollerblade wheels.

Freezing,

That's the conclusion I was trying to get to. In many cases you can get something that provides a little more "bang for the buck" that won't be as slick or have as many features in exchange for cost but is still durable. I was trying to find out if that was the case here, but I'm assuming it isn't. I've seen what happens to a Costco bag after just a couple trips as a passenger. Just trying to find out if there was something in between Costco and Purdy Neat that had durability with a little more friendly price.

Go with purdy neat. It was built by airline pilots who knew exactly what was needed. If you don't, you'll wish you had after a few years and a few trips back to the luggage store. I hate going to the luggage store on my day off...

Another way to go on the cheap is:

http://www.officedepot.com/textSearc...g+case&x=0&y=0

Had this for 3 years, and another capatain has had it for 7. Scroll to the bottom. Also found them a little cheaper.

www.lashen.com/vendors/platt/HT2xx-3xx.asp

for luggage, get the kirkland $89 special from costco. it fits in the CRJ overhead and has a lifetime replacement warranty at costco no questions asked. any rips/tears/zipper problems just take it in and get a new one. for LIFE! these are becoming very popular....

by the way does anyone have experience with the samsonite case here:

http://www.crewgear.com/default.asp?...uct&WCE=SAM398

is it durable?

I've had one since February, when the handle ripped off of my Heritage. It's holding up quite well, much better than the Office Depot special. Thus far I'd highly recommend it.

www.coyoteworks.net

Best $300 i've ever spent.

Just put your stuff in a bag, it'll make people wonder when you walk into the 47 with a bag over your shoulder.

Warning: Replace it after every trip, you don't want it to rip in the middle of LAX and have to carry out your stuff in your hands.

I personally buy new luggage every 2 or 3 years. There's no reason to keep those old things longer than that.

In the end everybody does what they want. I respect that.

Scott leather for my flight case and 22" overnight bag from the stopover store.

Hey CRJ drivers (or people who know more than I do):D ,
I like this Stealth Luggage. What do you guys think?

http://www.luggageworksonline.com/product.asp?CatID=1

-jdr

Also, has anyone tried the PNT bag that has the "computer pocket"? I've looked at it in the SOS, but I'm not convinced it provides adequate protection.

ive heard the stealth is awesome and is guaranteed forever, but for that price it better be!

Wait till you got training and sims then get what works for you.

Here's my question. I'm just about to get into the RJ 200 as well. On a 4 day trip, how necessary is a standard 20 or 22" rolling suitcase? From my understanding I'm only going to have one uniform (that's all I plan on buying), so I see no need for a garment bag in my suitcase. I was thinking about just getting something rather small for my clothes and then the purdy ballistic flight case. Is this a bad idea?

In two words: Yes...(edited LoL)

Reason # 1: Never go on a trip without a spare uniform. You never know when that cup of coffee is going to find itself onto your shirt.

Reason # 2: How would you lug your Case around without a rollaboard?? And no...the wheeled case won't fit in the RJ

Reason # 3: You can't fit a pair of sneakers, and your toiletries, and your clothes, etc...into "something rather small..."

Reason # 4 and most important: You will stick out like a dumby, and be pointed and laughed at, as you should be LoL.

There's a reason our luggage is fairly standard across the board...it's because that is what the job calls for. Get a good quality rollaboard and flight case.

Can someone post a link of the website that the pilots from SWA made for their luggage. It seemed like a good brand but I can not find that link anywhere.

www.strongbags.com (?)

Thats the one, thanks!

I appreciate your help, but here was what I was thinking.

1. I can see your point about the spare uniform. I may end up having to get that and spend the extra cash for it.

2. There are small carry-on sized bags that do have wheels that also aren't the full sized standard rollaboard. But you also said they won't fit in the RJ anyway?? I'm confused.

3. The smaller sized bag that I've been looking around at is more like 19" x 14" x 8". I have packing folders that keep up to 7 shirts or 4 pairs of slacks and sweaters etc. pretty compact, so a pair of shoes will fit in with that into a backpack, let alone a rollaboard.

4. I'm concerned with having gear that will do the job and fit in the aircraft. I do understand that there are industry standards for a reason, but I'm not concerned with being laughed at, or certainly not with getting what everyone else has. I'd like to have something a little different.

Again, I'm not trying to argue here or be a jerk. I genuinely appreciate any advice you experienced pilots can provide, and I do take it to heart. I just want to make sure that I can make an educated decision that I'll be happy with.

Hmm...well if you can fit everything you could possibly need for a four-day into a smaller carry-on, go for it...But my guess is you'll be kicking yourself after your first trip on Reserve ;-) I just don't see it working for you buddy! Also, how would you haul the flight case around?? If I came out harsh, I apologize...I certainly didn't mean to. All this coming from somebody that likes to go against the grain himself (me!), so I understand where you're coming from. Some things, however, are best left how they are LoL

And for Number 2: If it's the Flight Case you are looking for with wheels - it won't fit...but a standard 22in rollaboard will fit...if that is what you meant.

Whatever you decide - best of luck, of course, and keep us updated! :-)

Hey thanks for the clarification. I just saw an older thread that clarified that the cockpit does indeed have its own luggage closet of sorts, so the size of the rollaboard isn't so much of an issue, something I was more concerned with earlier. I already purchased the standard Purdy Ballistic flight case, so that's no problem, I was just thinking about the luggage. Looks like I'll go with some kind of 20" or something of that nature. Thanks again for your help and no, you didn't come across harsh. :)

Just My 2cents.. but the Minute you get displaced someplace like YHZ or YUL for a few days because of a bad Snow Storm you will wish you had more clothing, Ask Me How I KNOW.. LOL

no serious dont short chance your self. I am sure where ever you are you can get the required tools to do the job and get it pay deducted remember you can deducted all that you buy for work on your taxes..on another note my luggage is mostly filled with food nothing like getting to the Hotel at 1201am and nothing is open and you are hungry..

Here's something else to think about, you're a professional pilot....dress the part and don't look like a flight attendant. Pilot's use rollaboard crew bags, flight attendants often have the smaller bags. Respect your chosen profession.