Pilot gear...
 

ALCON:

I received this email a few days ago and just now had a chance to peek at some of the gear. I'm hoping I can extend this out to the masses and get your input about what a new hire should be showing to the gate with on Day 1, assuming the 320 or 737. Right now, all I have is my knee board and G-suit....

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Here's a list of gear I found helpful doing the airline gig. I didn't mind spending a few extra bucks because they're items I'll be using for the rest of my career. I spent more hours than I care to admit researching all of it. Hope this is useful for you and feel free to share.

- Flight bag. I love my Briteline. Everything is organized and goes back in the same place. With this case I can fit a 13" laptop, company iPad, personal iPad mini, kindle and all my chargers/cables. I try and fly without my laptop these days when I can.

- Suitcase. Lost of guys use the luggage works. I've seen the bag and I think the design is a bit dated. Strong bag has a lifetime warranty on the frame and the shell and all parts are replaceable.

- Packing cubes and mini toiletry bag. Less is more. Packing cubes have helped me keep organized and cut down on time unpacked and repacking in the hotel.

-Moisture wicking shirts, socks, underwear. There's nothing worse than sitting in a puddle of your sweat in the beginning of a four day trip.

- Anti-glare screen protector. Cuts down on the glare and fingerprints for the company iPad.

- External battery pack. Recharges your iPhone 6 times or the iPad once.

- Serengeti sunglasses. Great low visibility, photochromatic, hands down best sunglasses I've ever owned.

- Clip on case for sunglasses.
- Flashlight. Super bright, water resistant, and rechargeable.

- Dual lightning and mini USB cable. Charges my iPad or kindle.

- Dual 2amp charging adapter. Gives quick charge on two devices so I can recharge company iPad and iPhone quickly.

- Anti-slip mat. Great for the Airbus tray to prevent you from wearing your lunch.

- Shoes. Clarks are super comfortable, hold a good shine, and last well.

- Mini shoe horn.

- Great portable almond/peanut butter snacks. Fit in my flight bag and have some protein to keep me going if there's not time for food.

- Hydroflask water bottle. Keeps water cold, hot drinks hot, and doesn't retain any flavor. Fits perfect on the side in the Airbus and clips to the suitcase with the handle.

- Energy drink packets for red eyes. Small crystal lite shaped packs. Portable and avoid the coffee breath. They mix up in a water bottle.

Pilot gear...
 

Your friend gave you some great info for the pilot stuff.
He forgot the watch, and to spring for some nicer shoes. Cuz" you know, due to the uniform, the only way the first class passengers can scope out their prospects with the flight crew is with the shoes, and watches. Ha!

Recommend Velcro and a g-shock. Your captain bid will be almost immediate.

Seriously, Johnston and Muphy shoes. They're expensive, but spend a few bucks here and there getting them shined in the airport they'll last for years.

This guy gave you great input. About the only things I would disagree with are the bags. Having tried multiple other bags and flown with guys using about every bag you can imagine and getting reviews, luggageworks is the only way to go. Durability, long-term VERY much worth your money. Same for the flight bag, luggageworks makes a few great options. Also be careful with that dual charging adaptor. The ipad and iphone come with slightly different chargers and there is a reason for that. If you use the ipad charger for an iphone, it will work but charge it too quickly which will damage your battery long-term. And if you use the iphone charger for the ipad, it will just take forever to charge. Not sure what the amperage is for each but this dual charger has the same amperage for both ports. Hope this is helpful info.

I would also recommend a good pair of nomex gloves. You don't have to wear them when you are pilot monitoring...but you really should have them on while you are flying.

Your truly,
Bad Phil

StrongBags/Pretty Neat Stuff suitcases are a joke. I have 3 bent frames in my basement with $175+ estimates to rebuild them.

I've been using the same $99 Costco bag for 4 years and it still looks brand new. Kirkland Signature? Upright 21.5" Black Carry-on

The rest of that stuff just makes it look like you're trying to make some money from Amazon's Affiliate Program. Moisture wicking underwear and an Anti-Glare screen protector? Seriously? I'm waiving the BS flag.

Despite the affiliate links, after reading the review it would be irresponsible to not recommend the wicking underwear.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profil...f=cm_cr_dp_pdp

AWAX is DEFINITELY a captain - cheap bastage. LoL

I suppose next you'll make fun of my Members Only layover jacket? :D

Agree with the above. I rarely fly with anyone with the luggage works bags anymore. I went through two and now have the Costco Kirkland bag and will never look back. Can only seem to get it online now. $99 for life, and it's a great bag that isn't 20lbs empty.

The luggage works bag could have been great but it was built like a piece of unrefined factory hardware borderline haphazardly put together garbage, especially the first one I had, the 737 bag. That thing was never checked and after 2 years looked like an hourglass and every screw and zipper popped out and had razor sharp edges when other components went awol.

Maybe they're better now but unless you 3 leg commute to Zimbabwe, the Costco bag is enough and has better pockets. Your shoulders will thank you too.

Small potatoes...
 

Slow clap for you fine sir. I won't speculate if this guy gets a kickback, no skin off my back - I have no idea. Personally, I had no idea about the Amazon Affiliate Program until you mentioned it - so if he does, good on him for his marketing approach. Doesn't bother me a bit. It's just less time that I have to spend looking....

That was funny. :D

Luggage works... Hands down the best quality and most durable. You get what you pay for...

I've got 3 Luggage works basket cases in the basement that say otherwise.

Made me finally decide to get those packing cubes (although not the ones mentioned by the poster). Sick of packing for an overnight and the small amount of clothes getting tossed around in the suitcase.

As for the $15 pair of socks, the $35 3-pack of undershirts and my favorite, the $80 set for the water bottle.....

It's expected that when you pimp someone, you at least tell them.

Check essential

http://www.wellpromo.com/upload/upim...-Sta-74934.jpg

I honestly can't figure out how that is even possible unless you toss your roll-aboard down the jetway every flight. I'm going on 8 years with the same luggage works bag and the only thing I've ever had to replace is the wheels/bearings (replacement cost around $20). The rest of the bag is tip top .. zippers, handle, frame, etc. Maybe you shouldn't stuff your bag so full with Krugerrands ;).

Couldn't agree more about the Pretty neat Stuff bags. Mine lasted 1.5 years, same as a Travelpro for half the price. My Costco bag was the best. 4 years.

Pilotgolfer;
Nomex gloves???????? Was that you I flew with 16 years ago into LHR? I was the Jerkoff FO that bought 2 pair of latex gloves. When you put the gloves on during the preflight brief, me and the bunkie put on our latex gloves. You busted out laughing. LOL

I recommend the Costco luggage as well. Although I had to go with the spinner bag as it was my only option. I was trying to replace my Luggage works wheels and the entire metal side broke off. This was around 6pm the night before a trip. My luggage works did last over 10 years of commuting though. But man was it heavy packed full.

I have been very happy with this bag. I love the clamshell design with the hard backing. It holds enough for 6 day intl trips across the ocean. Lifetime warranty for 99 bucks is hard to beat.

I've had my luggage works bag since 2001!! I've sent it back to be overhauled twice once was $50 and the other was just for the zippers and it's still is as square as a new one!

It wasn't me. Bad Phil is a local legend in DC. Flight attendants cringe at the mere mention of his name. The funny thing is that he gets confused with another guy, Good Phil.

Luggage
 

If you had a choice - would you refrain from the spinner wheels?

The last Luggage Works bag I had lasted a year. Zipper handles came off and the zippers themselves stripped and separated on the side pockets. Frayed material, bent frame. Biggest POS I've owned. I'd say what was worse was their customer service. 3 emails not returned and 2 phone messages left for them. NOTHING!! Looking at that bag right now and considering throwing it off my balcony and wondering why it's still here.

i was hesitant as first but I really like it now. I use a Tumi carry bag for all my crap and just throw it on the handle and away I go. I will probably never go back to the 2 wheeled version. No problem in overhead even in the 170. I like I don't have to drag my suitcase behind me, although I can if I want. It just rolls with me at my pace with very little effort on my part.

As pilots we like doing things with minimal effort so I got that going for me...Which is nice

Spinner wheels seem awkward to me. I prefer to drag my suitcase behind me and not block everyone with the side-by-side road hog version. Can you expand on why you like the spinners so much?

It isn't a road hog as it can maneuver however I need to get around. Push it, pull it, it moves pretty effortlessly, and I never worry about it tipping over especially when stopped. I don't need a J hook to put my "iPad bag" on. I just slide it over the handle and my bag rests on the top of the suitcase. It seemed a bit awkward to me at first having used my luggage works and travel pro 2 wheeled version previously. Now I just prefer this one but to each their own.

I guess a positive it that I can push it with my arm at my side rather than my arm being behind me. Better for your shoulder/back? Maybe I don't know..

I can only speak from my experience with the bags, which has not been good. I know others have also had trouble and that there's a sizable "Luggage Works, never again" crowd. I know some guys have had good luck and like the bags which is great.

In my mind it points to a lackluster QA, but like anything, ya spin the wheel and take your chances.

The GIRLFRIEND needs to be a spinner - not your luggage wheels :D

Spit my coffee out on the PC - cheers brutha lol

There's only one thing "wrong" with the Costco bag, and it's that on the guppy the jackasses with jagged metal frames on their torn up LW/PN bags will try to jam their overstuffed crap on top of your bag and tear your perfectly fine Costco bag up. So use caution......

Just go with Major Kong's list like I did.

major kong - Bing video

Is that the same guy who brings a second piece of personal luggage that takes up the entire top over the cubby or all the floor area, who keeps saying, oh excuse the bag, as if it's a momentary problem.

Witnessed a pilot taking a bag out from beneath jumpseat. Said bag was hooked on something so the pilot just pulled harder. What did he care, it wasn't his suitcase.

Would you donate it to a first time airline pilot just about to commence Indoc in Sept 2016?
It sure would make you feel good, think of it as paying it forward.
I'll gladly accept.

Dude - the DRINKS are free NOT luggage - LoL

I do love my Luggage Works Bag, I think formerly purdy neat things made it. I have 3 of them. One I had to overhaul and send back after 10 of abuse on the 737.

I have two sizes of that bag. One for long haul 7/8 day international trips and the other for shorter domestic. I actually deployed with my 26 inch LW bag and it did great.

I have a 26 inch Luggage Works, a 22 inch Luggage Works, a 19 inch Strong Bag, and a 22 inch Strong Bag. The Strong Bags are so much better than Luggage Works. After 3 months (I did abuse them dragging them around on the NYC subway) the Luggage Work bags looked terrible and had plenty of ripped pockets and broken zippers. My Strong Bags still look mostly new and are a few lbs lighter.

aka......CAPTAIN "STRANGE" GLOVE

Binder clips. Sounds ridiculous, but very useful and cheap. Great for holding sun Shades in place and for keeping light out in the hotel rooms... Fwiw.