Guess I should consider myself lucky - bought my Luggage Works bag in 1997 - still does fine after 15 years, nothing broken. Just an occasional shot of WD40 to the wheels.
I don't commute, and generally take good care of my stuff though.

From an international 121 supplimential guy who checks his bag alot:

The 26" needs a cross support half way up the bag. Everyone I see has the side frames bowed in. A cross support would fix it. I don't see the shorter 20" bags having the same issue.

My 20" had that problem a few times.

A cross support would help this a bit for sure. I have created a composite frame for the bag that does not bend or fatigue. It looks really badass too. I actually could never pinpoint the exact cause of that bowing but I have to say I would be sad to see it go. It makes me a lot of money.

Aren't Luggageworks bags all made in China now? I know their duffles and smaller bags definitely are. I called over to the HQ in Missouri and asked them about it. They said they outsourced them a few years ago. I noticed that the fabric on the new LW suitcases has changed to a finer weave nylon fabric, it almost looks shiny if it was next to an older style bag, so I assumed that the suitcases have also been outsourced...

I have had my Travel-Pro 22" bag for about ten years now. The only problem that I have ever had was the cheap wheels that came with the bag. One of our F/Os does some side business in replacing the original wheels with premium rollerblade wheels, and I had this done six years ago. Works like a charm, much easier to pull. Not quite a drop-in replacement, as some different bushings are required.

Joe

One thing I would like changed, is to make the J-hook strap removable. Mine has gotten caught in the carousel when I had to check it.

I have a 26" Executive. I'm pretty careful with my stuff, in 3 years the only issue is the handle only locks up on one side.

LW makes a detachable replacement J-hook. I had to get one of those when my suitcase came out of the carousel without a J-hook and a clean cut across the strap. Apparently it got stuck and they had to cut it free.

Never had a problem with my wheels. The frame eventually got bowed in, but thats what happens when you DH a lot and check in your bag. What was disappointing was my zippers broke or separated from the bag and the back pocket came off very, very early on in it's use. The same items on my TravelPro bags I've had have lasted longer. The wheels on the TravelPro are terrible tho.

Afterburner, I'd be interested to see what you come up with. If you can come up with something unique enough and worth the premium price, then it will sell. Unfortunately you're not going to be able to make a bag to suit everyone, this career field is too varied. Some people can make due with a lighter bag because the most abuse it gets is rolling down the jetway and stuffed into the cockpit closet. Others need a sturdier one because it gets checked-in for over 100k of flight miles per year on DHs in addition to the normal use. I would argue that the bags you see that are so beat up are that way not because they dont treat them right but because they are probably 121 supplemental guys that REALLY have their bags put to the test.

Ultimately the market will determine what price your bag will sell well at for what is offered, not a small sampling of people responding to your request to tell you what they don't like about their LW bag.

Good luck and please post a link or something when you're ready to go to market with it.

You need a better way to stow that handle. I saw a guy get his bag back after checking it, and obviously the handle accidently extended while out of view. When he got his bag back the handle was totally wrecked/bent. Now what? The flimsy piece of velcro just ain't working. That's my only complaint.

I have had the same PNT bag for about 14 years now. It has been sent back 4 times for zippers, handles, pockets. The grip on the handle is wayyy too easy to rip up. One of our guys has put a golf grip on his and I will probably do the same. Currently I have one side zipper failing but the bag is still going strong. The metal frame is great and in the winter I can overpack my bag with all my cold weather running gear. I actually would like to have a thicker bag so I can pack more when I need to.