Pilot Luggage

Johnny150

Johnny150

The Warden
I plan on buying some luggage soon for commuting and working, any advise? I'm pretty set on Luggage Works stealth 22'' does anything else compare?
 
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I bought a Strongbag last year after all of the zippers broke off my cheap-o Travelpro. I abuse the crap out of the thing and it still looks and rolls like it's new.
 
gtpilot said:
I bought a Strongbag last year after all of the zippers broke off my cheap-o Travelpro. I abuse the crap out of the thing and it still looks and rolls like it's new.
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With Travelpro, if you do not go "top of the line" you will get a piece of crap. They seem to have "Very Nice" on the top end and everything else is crap. I had a TravelPro Platinum for 6 years and Delta finally killed it when the squeezed it between an 8" opening. All the years on the Saab without a wardrobe closet and having it thrown around was no problem for the bag, one flight as a ticketed passenger on Delta and it is destroyed.

Luckily Delta is buying me a new TravelPro Platinum, a latest model at that. Win-Win for me
 
The Juice said:
With Travelpro, if you do not go "top of the line" you will get a piece of crap. They seem to have "Very Nice" on the top end and everything else is crap. I had a TravelPro Platinum for 6 years and Delta finally killed it when the squeezed it between an 8" opening. All the years on the Saab without a wardrobe closet and having it thrown around was no problem for the bag, one flight as a ticketed passenger on Delta and it is destroyed.

Luckily Delta is buying me a new TravelPro Platinum, a latest model at that. Win-Win for me
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My cheap-o Travelpro (definitely not top line) is actually still usable, just minus zippers. I remember being forced to gate check it in CVG while dead heading - I got to my window seat in time to observe the ramper toss it over the railing onto the pavement below. It survived with no damage, but between that and my general abuse (pulling it down flights of stairs with the flight kit attached), I'm surprised it lasted three years!
 
I'm still pressing on with my LW after 5 years. She looks like she has done a few tours in NAM and she keeps on trucking.
 
I will use my mid-90s vintage (good gawd does it qualify as VINTAGE now?!) hard side Samsonite until it falls apart. It is indestructible. I don't think they make a similar version anymore though. :( The factory wheels were garbage, replaced them immediately after purchase with the rollerblade wheel conversion kit.

fwiw, I have hit it with the truck. It was so full of scuff marks, I didn't notice if there were any new ones after the incident, but the bag looked the same after the hit as before.

The day it finally dies, I will cry.
 
If you're going with the 22" LW Stealth, consider getting the 737 version even if you have no aspirations of ever flying a 737. It is a little bit smaller than the standard 22" LW.

But I can count on more than two hands the number of times I've had to commute to work riding on a 737, I'm the last one on the plane stuck in a middle seat, all the overheads are full, and my bag's about to get gate checked to destination for pickup at baggage claim, when the crew's noticed my predicament and just told me to stick it under there - under the second cockpit jumpseat and the 737 version of the 22" LW fits. Save the Lord. Saved from having to go to the baggage claim before I have to sign in for work. I'm very appreciative of the crews that have done this for me.
 
I'm on my second bag. I had the original Costco "Kirkland Signature" 22" luggage. It lasted for 5 years until my stupid cat decided to pee in it. Couldn't get the smell out so I bought a TravelPro Crew 4 bag. Biggest piece of junk ever. The handle broke and wouldn't move past the half position after only 6 months of use. I've since repaired it by shoving an allen wrench into one of the holes to trigger the lifting mechanism, along with duct tape and a little bit of speed tape. I'm in the process of seeing what money I have to pay for shipping just to get the warranty to cover it.

After that I'm done with TravelPro - I'm just gonna buy a Strong Bags or LW.

The problem with the current Costco design is it sucks compared to the original. It was fewer outside pockets, it's missing the shoe pouch on the main flap that was WONDERFUL for stuffing tennis shoes for your trips. It has this annoying compression strap that takes up a lot of space, plus the J-Hook part that attaches to the main part of the top of the bag is this worthless T-bar that constantly comes off if you don't have a flight case attached to it.

I've been checking on eBay for used Costco bags (the older version) since I loved those bags that much!
 
woodreau said:
If you're going with the 22" LW Stealth, consider getting the 737 version even if you have no aspirations of ever flying a 737. It is a little bit smaller than the standard 22" LW.

But I can count on more than two hands the number of times I've had to commute to work riding on a 737, I'm the last one on the plane stuck in a middle seat, all the overheads are full, and my bag's about to get gate checked to destination for pickup at baggage claim, when the crew's noticed my predicament and just told me to stick it under there - under the second cockpit jumpseat and the 737 version of the 22" LW fits. Save the Lord. Saved from having to go to the baggage claim before I have to sign in for work. I'm very appreciative of the crews that have done this for me.
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I agree with your sentiment, but....the normal 22" luggage works WILL fit under the 73 jumpseat, unless you have packed all of the external side pockets full of hard things like chargers, books, etc., things that do not squeeze.
 
I'm starting to see more and more of the Strongbags. The Strongbags roller bag still has the same handle as the TravelPro which I always thought looked a little too flimsy. I have a Strongbags cooler and it's amazing but went with the LW 22" for the roller.
 
Resurrecting slightly stale thread here....

I'm in the market for a new roller. LW seems to be highly recommended throughout the industry and I plan on purchasing one of their 22" bags. My question to the JC crowd: Does the trim level make that much of difference?

I ask because of course I'm looking at some painful first year FO pay and I'd rather avoid going over the $200 mark if I can avoid it. I think I can do that safely with my airline's discount with the Executive bag. But would the Elite bag be noticeably worse for a few bucks less? I had a Samsonite roller for almost 10 years and it served me well. It finally started developing a tear in the zipper area and my girlfriend (bless her heart) bought me a replacement Samsonite last year. The new one is fine, but it's smaller than a 22" and it lacks a few other essential features.

Any input on the Luggage Works trim levels would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Go with the Stealth 22". You won't regret the extra money spent. I have the computer version and it has served me well for almost 2 years now.
 
The abs plastic one lasted 4.5 years and still lives as the wife's travel bag. I got the 22" regular one and have seen it literally "fly" to the ramp (ops check good, ok for service). Worth the money. Plastic is lighter, but less durable. If you commute, get he one built with aluminum.
 
Cal Goat said:
Resurrecting slightly stale thread here....

I'm in the market for a new roller. LW seems to be highly recommended throughout the industry and I plan on purchasing one of their 22" bags. My question to the JC crowd: Does the trim level make that much of difference?

I ask because of course I'm looking at some painful first year FO pay and I'd rather avoid going over the $200 mark if I can avoid it. I think I can do that safely with my airline's discount with the Executive bag. But would the Elite bag be noticeably worse for a few bucks less? I had a Samsonite roller for almost 10 years and it served me well. It finally started developing a tear in the zipper area and my girlfriend (bless her heart) bought me a replacement Samsonite last year. The new one is fine, but it's smaller than a 22" and it lacks a few other essential features.

Any input on the Luggage Works trim levels would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have the executive and it has been just fine. There really isn't any difference between that and the stealth other than the plastic frame. Mine is about 3 years old and is still going strong. The added bonuses of the cheap frame are that it is also lighter and doesn't end up with the scary sharp edges that the stealth has after years of abuse.
 
Thanks. I think I'll just go with the Executive. If it lasts me over 4 or 5 years, it'll be more than adequate.
 
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