Luggage?
04-15-2016, 10:11 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2014
Posts: 104
Originally Posted by Skittles9E
Luggageworks stealth 22" is what almost everyone has
Almost everyone ?!?
Noooooooooo ..... I wouldn't say that.
I've been in the industry for almost two decades and I've seen a LOT of different brands.
Yes, Luggageworks (formerly Pretty Neat Stuff) bags are popular with some pilots, but as was pointed out they are expensive and perhaps not up to the quality of yesteryear.
As was mentioned, Briggs & Riley is also popular and sold in the uniform stores. I've never owned one but heard good things about them. (They do advertise a 'lifetime' repair guarantee. See Briggs and Riley? Premier Luggage With a Lifetime Warranty).
Travelpro makes a decent bag but I did learn that the "crew" series bags they sell in uniform shops are heavier-duty than the ones they sell for travelers in department stores. I've had a couple of them and seen a lot of other pilots with them (as well as Flight Attendants). Yes, they may wear out sooner than LW or PNS but you're paying 1/3 to 1/2 of the price. (Personally, I got a LOT more than "a year or two" of use out of my Travelpro bags before they needed repair or replacement.)
I've flown with a couple of guys who even had bags from Costco (Kirkland Signature brand) with a "Lifetime" guarantee -- repair or replace.
I've never heard of the Timbuk2 brand but it seems well-built and is just one example of the variety that's out there on the line.
If you itemize your taxes, you can write off your luggage expenses anyway. So instead of spending the big bucks up-front and then planning to send off your tired old bag for repairs every few years, just treat yourself to a new one every once in a while.
04-16-2016, 05:13 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2015
Position: Freight 75/76 FO
Posts: 140
I own a pair of Luggage Works bags and honestly I am not too impressed with them. As some others have mentioned, they do break a lot sooner than what their reputation says when abused in the regional world (deadheads in small RJs, crashpad life, etc...) They are heavy, and the metal frame is not very elegant. Yes, they maybe last a little longer than other bags, but I am not sure if they deserve their price.
04-17-2016, 01:11 AM
#13
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Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,559
If you're not afraid to part with a few extra $$ and only buy one suitcase until you retire, get a Pelican.
Amazon.com: Pelican EL22 Elite Carry-On Luggage w/Enhanced Travel System, 19.16x11.24x8in, Gray/Black: Clothing
Amazon.com: Pelican EL22 Elite Carry-On Luggage w/Enhanced Travel System, 19.16x11.24x8in, Gray/Black: Clothing
04-17-2016, 07:20 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Position: Guppy Gear Slinger
Posts: 1,852
Originally Posted by MaxThrustPower
Almost everyone ?!?
Noooooooooo ..... I wouldn't say that.
I've been in the industry for almost two decades and I've seen a LOT of different brands.
Yes, Luggageworks (formerly Pretty Neat Stuff) bags are popular with some pilots, but as was pointed out they are expensive and perhaps not up to the quality of yesteryear.
As was mentioned, Briggs & Riley is also popular and sold in the uniform stores. I've never owned one but heard good things about them. (They do advertise a 'lifetime' repair guarantee. See Briggs and Riley? Premier Luggage With a Lifetime Warranty).
Travelpro makes a decent bag but I did learn that the "crew" series bags they sell in uniform shops are heavier-duty than the ones they sell for travelers in department stores. I've had a couple of them and seen a lot of other pilots with them (as well as Flight Attendants). Yes, they may wear out sooner than LW or PNS but you're paying 1/3 to 1/2 of the price. (Personally, I got a LOT more than "a year or two" of use out of my Travelpro bags before they needed repair or replacement.)
I've flown with a couple of guys who even had bags from Costco (Kirkland Signature brand) with a "Lifetime" guarantee -- repair or replace.
I've never heard of the Timbuk2 brand but it seems well-built and is just one example of the variety that's out there on the line.
If you itemize your taxes, you can write off your luggage expenses anyway. So instead of spending the big bucks up-front and then planning to send off your tired old bag for repairs every few years, just treat yourself to a new one every once in a while.
If you're a contractor getting paid via a 1099, then this doesn't apply; it's deductible as an ordinary business expense and there is no 2% qualification.. But I don't know of any US 121 carrier that employs contract pilots.
04-17-2016, 08:17 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,559
And don't forget that the 2% for miscellaneous deductions only comes into play if you are already over the standard deduction, which is hard to do unless one owns a home.
Originally Posted by Turbosina
Luggage expenses (unreimbursed employee expenses) are only deductible if the total of your unreimbursed employee expenses exceeds 2% of your adjusted gross income. So for example if your AGI is $100K, you'd have to spend $2K in unreimbursed employee expenses before you could deduct a penny, and only the amount in excess of $2K would be deductible.
If you're a contractor getting paid via a 1099, then this doesn't apply; it's deductible as an ordinary business expense and there is no 2% qualification.. But I don't know of any US 121 carrier that employs contract pilots.
If you're a contractor getting paid via a 1099, then this doesn't apply; it's deductible as an ordinary business expense and there is no 2% qualification.. But I don't know of any US 121 carrier that employs contract pilots.
04-17-2016, 07:09 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2014
Posts: 104
Originally Posted by Turbosina
Luggage expenses (unreimbursed employee expenses) are only deductible if the total of your unreimbursed employee expenses exceeds 2% of your adjusted gross income. So for example if your AGI is $100K, you'd have to spend $2K in unreimbursed employee expenses before you could deduct a penny, and only the amount in excess of $2K would be deductible.
Originally Posted by HighFlight
And don't forget that the 2% for miscellaneous deductions only comes into play if you are already over the standard deduction, which is hard to do unless one owns a home.
Yes, those are both correct and valid points. I haven't always been able to itemize since I haven't owned a home every year I've worked in the airlines and that does make a huge difference in exceeding the 'standard deduction.'
However, IF a pilot does own a home, exceeding the 2% limitation for many commercial pilots is not very difficult, especially if you consider all of our allowable deductions.
First, if your company is unionized, your union dues alone may go a long way towards the first 2%.
Second, most airlines hourly per diem pay rate is much less than the allowable IRS rates for per diem, especially to expensive major US city layovers or to international cities. Accurately computing it to stand up to an audit can be difficult without a third-party service and I didn't take advantage of this deduction myself for a long time. However, depending on your situation, it can easily be hundreds if not thousands of dollars that you are allowed to legitimately claim. Two popular websites that cater to pilots and flight attendants are EZ-Per Diem and Pro-Diem (www.ezperdiem.com and pro-diem.com).
Many crewmembers will exceed the first 2% with these two deductions alone!
Now, let's get going with all the other allowable deductions. It goes without saying that documentation and receipts are definitely required!!
* Uniform purchases. (Don't forget items you purchase for specifically work alone like shoes, socks, and belts.)
* Uniform dry-cleaning and laundry. (But you must have it professionally done; you can't deduct home laundry.)
* Uniform repairs or alterations done by a professional seamstress.
* Luggage (rollaboard, flight bag, etc.) Replacement or repairs.
* Aviation headsets. Replacement or repairs. Batteries if needed.
* Aviation sunglasses since we must use special non-polarized lenses in the cockpit.
* Flashlights and batteries for your flight bag.
* Computer software and/or paper logbooks for record-keeping purposes.
* Tips to the hotel van driver or to hotel housekeeping.
* Bidding software or computer services that cater specifically to pilots.
* FAA Medical Exams. Maybe as much as two times per year for many pilots.
* Type ratings, training, and licensing fees you paid for out-of-pocket.
* Unreimbursed expenses related to keeping your passport current or for Global Entry privileges, etc.
* Aviation-related books such as new copies of the AIM/FARs or books related to improving our professional knowledge.
* Professional publications related to our industry, such as subscriptions to Aviation Week.
* Unreimbursed transportation expenses (that are NOT related to commuting.) Taxi's, etc.
(My company Flight Manual Part I tells me that I have to be contactable by telephone and as a crewmember, especially if I am on Reserve duty. And I am expected to download my publications, do my monthly bidding, accesss my employee HR services, and much other company-related business on the internet so I must have internet access at home. Many pilots claim anywhere from 25% to 100% of these expenses.)
* Cellphone expenses.
* Internet expenses.
(My company Flight Manual Part I tells me that I must meet strict grooming standards; therefore, I get haircuts more often than I would if I worked in other industries. so like cellphone and internet, I can deduct a portion of those expenses.)
* Haircuts.
My medical certificate says I must wear corrective lenses (for reading.) And I am required to carry a second pair of eyeglasses in the cockpit as a spare as part of my required equipment.
* Eyeglasses (2nd pair).
This is just a short list of some examples of expenses that can be itemized. I'm sure with a little checking around, you can find many other examples.
Just be careful and don't get TOO 'creative' with what you claim. You need to be able to substantiate the requirement and show receipts if there are questions raised in an audit later.
04-17-2016, 10:24 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Position: Guppy Gear Slinger
Posts: 1,852
Originally Posted by MaxThrustPower
Yes, those are both correct and valid points. I haven't always been able to itemize since I haven't owned a home every year I've worked in the airlines and that does make a huge difference in exceeding the 'standard deduction.'
However, IF a pilot does own a home, exceeding the 2% limitation for many commercial pilots is not very difficult, especially if you consider all of our allowable deductions.
First, if your company is unionized, your union dues alone may go a long way towards the first 2%.
Second, most airlines hourly per diem pay rate is much less than the allowable IRS rates for per diem, especially to expensive major US city layovers or to international cities. Accurately computing it to stand up to an audit can be difficult without a third-party service and I didn't take advantage of this deduction myself for a long time. However, depending on your situation, it can easily be hundreds if not thousands of dollars that you are allowed to legitimately claim. Two popular websites that cater to pilots and flight attendants are EZ-Per Diem and Pro-Diem (www.ezperdiem.com and pro-diem.com).
Many crewmembers will exceed the first 2% with these two deductions alone!
Now, let's get going with all the other allowable deductions. It goes without saying that documentation and receipts are definitely required!!
* Uniform purchases. (Don't forget items you purchase for specifically work alone like shoes, socks, and belts.)
* Uniform dry-cleaning and laundry. (But you must have it professionally done; you can't deduct home laundry.)
* Uniform repairs or alterations done by a professional seamstress.
* Luggage (rollaboard, flight bag, etc.) Replacement or repairs.
* Aviation headsets. Replacement or repairs. Batteries if needed.
* Aviation sunglasses since we must use special non-polarized lenses in the cockpit.
* Flashlights and batteries for your flight bag.
* Computer software and/or paper logbooks for record-keeping purposes.
* Tips to the hotel van driver or to hotel housekeeping.
* Bidding software or computer services that cater specifically to pilots.
* FAA Medical Exams. Maybe as much as two times per year for many pilots.
* Type ratings, training, and licensing fees you paid for out-of-pocket.
* Unreimbursed expenses related to keeping your passport current or for Global Entry privileges, etc.
* Aviation-related books such as new copies of the AIM/FARs or books related to improving our professional knowledge.
* Professional publications related to our industry, such as subscriptions to Aviation Week.
* Unreimbursed transportation expenses (that are NOT related to commuting.) Taxi's, etc.
(My company Flight Manual Part I tells me that I have to be contactable by telephone and as a crewmember, especially if I am on Reserve duty. And I am expected to download my publications, do my monthly bidding, accesss my employee HR services, and much other company-related business on the internet so I must have internet access at home. Many pilots claim anywhere from 25% to 100% of these expenses.)
* Cellphone expenses.
* Internet expenses.
(My company Flight Manual Part I tells me that I must meet strict grooming standards; therefore, I get haircuts more often than I would if I worked in other industries. so like cellphone and internet, I can deduct a portion of those expenses.)
* Haircuts.
My medical certificate says I must wear corrective lenses (for reading.) And I am required to carry a second pair of eyeglasses in the cockpit as a spare as part of my required equipment.
* Eyeglasses (2nd pair).
This is just a short list of some examples of expenses that can be itemized. I'm sure with a little checking around, you can find many other examples.
Just be careful and don't get TOO 'creative' with what you claim. You need to be able to substantiate the requirement and show receipts if there are questions raised in an audit later.
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