Flight Bags

Because they just last. My first bag is still usable after 7 years of RJ • and my 2nd bag still looks almost new (unless you count the rash from forcing the bag with side pockets under the guppy jump seat) after almost 5 years. The metal sides do eventually bend but nothing that can't be straightened out. Yes it's a heavy bitch, but it's my heavy bitch. (You can totally say bitch on here).
 
Are they heavy? Absolutely! But the simply hold up to abuse over many years. This bag is around 18 years old. Refurbished once about 12 years ago. Since then I've replaced wheels and bearings twice.
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Anybody come to a flight bag solution yet? My aerocoast cooler/EFB bag is starting to wear out along the base. Trying to decide what to replace it with
 
Anybody come to a flight bag solution yet? My aerocoast cooler/EFB bag is starting to wear out along the base. Trying to decide what to replace it with

If you want to stick to one bag, the Summit Flight Crew Commander is pretty solid. I've got one. You can get a LOT of food in it, you can also pack pilot stuff AND it's got a slot in the side for the EFB or a laptop (but not both) and yet you can also lay an EFB flat in the main compartment.

  • Couple of small gripes with it: the handles are too long, so on a J-hook it can drag a little. If you half-twist the handles you can solve part of that problem.
  • It's taller than other cooler bags (like the Aerocoast or the Travelpro or the LuggageWorks) so getting it under a seat on a plane with a power unit requires you to tilt it on its side, so make sure things won't spill in it.

I'm still tweaking my setup, but if I'm hell-bent on only two bags, that's my go-to bag.
 
Anybody come to a flight bag solution yet? My aerocoast cooler/EFB bag is starting to wear out along the base. Trying to decide what to replace it with
I broke down and became a 3-bagger. The Aerocoast didn't really hold all my • and still impeded getting the seat pushed all the way over. It's a bit of a pain getting in and out of the flight deck with everything (only one leg so far) but it's luxurious to fit everything and still be able to slide the seat sideways. Plus all my coffee-making shiz stays with me and doesn't take up room in my roller.
 
If you want to stick to one bag, the Summit Flight Crew Commander is pretty solid. I've got one. You can get a LOT of food in it, you can also pack pilot stuff AND it's got a slot in the side for the EFB or a laptop (but not both) and yet you can also lay an EFB flat in the main compartment.

  • Couple of small gripes with it: the handles are too long, so on a J-hook it can drag a little. If you half-twist the handles you can solve part of that problem.
  • It's taller than other cooler bags (like the Aerocoast or the Travelpro or the LuggageWorks) so getting it under a seat on a plane with a power unit requires you to tilt it on its side, so make sure things won't spill in it.

I'm still tweaking my setup, but if I'm hell-bent on only two bags, that's my go-to bag.
That would fit everything, but would never fit next to the seat in the guppy once stuffed.
 
That being said I've got a very lightly used Aerocoast II I'll make anyone who's interested a deal on. Maybe used it for 8 or 10 trips. Looks brand new.
 
I broke down and became a 3-bagger. The Aerocoast didn't really hold all my • and still impeded getting the seat pushed all the way over. It's a bit of a pain getting in and out of the flight deck with everything (only one leg so far) but it's luxurious to fit everything and still be able to slide the seat sideways. Plus all my coffee-making shiz stays with me and doesn't take up room in my roller.
So which 2 bags did you settle on?
 
Alright I'm tired of doing a dangerous yoga move to get my LW bag (got a free bag with my allotment before I left OO and got the one with side pockets) out from under the jumpseat of the guppy. Does the B&R 22" 2-wheel fit easily? I'm only seeing the spinners (nope) through Costco unless I'm missing something.
 
If you want to stick to one bag, the Summit Flight Crew Commander is pretty solid. I've got one. You can get a LOT of food in it, you can also pack pilot stuff AND it's got a slot in the side for the EFB or a laptop (but not both) and yet you can also lay an EFB flat in the main compartment.

  • Couple of small gripes with it: the handles are too long, so on a J-hook it can drag a little. If you half-twist the handles you can solve part of that problem.
  • It's taller than other cooler bags (like the Aerocoast or the Travelpro or the LuggageWorks) so getting it under a seat on a plane with a power unit requires you to tilt it on its side, so make sure things won't spill in it.

I'm still tweaking my setup, but if I'm hell-bent on only two bags, that's my go-to bag.

+1 for the Summit. I have the same gripes as Billy but it's a great bag.
 
Alright I'm tired of doing a dangerous yoga move to get my LW bag (got a free bag with my allotment before I left OO and got the one with side pockets) out from under the jumpseat of the guppy. Does the B&R 22" 2-wheel fit easily? I'm only seeing the spinners (nope) through Costco unless I'm missing something.
Can’t help you about it fitting in the 737 but when you decide to buy B&R, call up Altman Luggage in NYC. Tell them you’re airline crew and they’ll give you 30% off (and no tax if I remember correctly), plus free shipping.

I retired my LW bag for a B&R 2 wheel a couple years ago (WB flying). Honestly I miss the exterior pockets of the LW bag but the B&R is solid and going strong. Just replace the wheels with rollerblade wheels before your first trip.
 
Alright I'm tired of doing a dangerous yoga move to get my LW bag (got a free bag with my allotment before I left OO and got the one with side pockets) out from under the jumpseat of the guppy. Does the B&R 22" 2-wheel fit easily? I'm only seeing the spinners (nope) through Costco unless I'm missing something.
Bonus points if you can avoid slicing your hands on one of the many sharp edges
 
Still have yet to choose a new flight kit bag. Don’t need a cooler. Need something that will hold headsets (clarity aloft), sunglasses, sunshades, snacks, water bottle, etc. Bonus points for quick access compartment for sunglasses etc like the Aerocoast has on top.
I’ve used 3 Aerocoast bags, the flight kit, the cooler, and the backpack. Now I need to find something new as the bottom is coming apart on my Aerocoast cooler. So… here’s what’s out there.

1. Travelpro
2. Aerocoast
3. Luggageworks
4. Strongbags
5. Contrail
6. Brightline
7. Briggs and Riley under seat duffle (not a true flight kit, rather a carryon tote, but the lifetime warranty appeals to me)

What do ya’ll think? Has anybody tried more than one of these who can do a good review comparing and contrasting pros and cons? Also, the guppy flight deck is small. Need something I can slide out from behind the seat or pick up without hurting my shoulder.
 
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Still have yet to choose a new flight kit bag. Don’t need a cooler. Need something that will hold headsets (clarity aloft), sunglasses, sunshades, snacks, water bottle, etc. Bonus points for quick access compartment for sunglasses etc like the Aerocoast has on top.
I’ve used 3 Aerocoast bags, the flight kit, the cooler, and the backpack. Now I need to find something new as the bottom is coming apart on my Aerocoast cooler. So… here’s what’s out there.

1. Travelpro
2. Aerocoast
3. Luggageworks
4. Strongbags
5. Contrail
6. Brightline
7. Briggs and Riley under seat duffle (not a true flight kit, rather a carryon tote, but the lifetime warranty appeals to me)

What do ya’ll think? Has anybody tried more than one of these who can do a good review comparing and contrasting pros and cons? Also, the guppy flight deck is small. Need something I can slide out from behind the seat or pick up without hurting my shoulder.
I think I posted earlier but I use this one.
I like that I can put two bottles/thermoses, one for water and one for coffee both on the outside. Main compartment is just one big blob but works fine for my organization method. It fits fine by the seat, little tight if I’ve got my headset case and sweater jammed inside. Packed full like that you better hope the last dude left the seat full forward and full forward tilt when you go to put it in. But I have a full size headset case, not something compact like the clarity. Before that I had their “EFB” bag which is sized for a laptop and just didn’t work for the way I pack or travel.
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(Yes one of the cats was laying on my hat)
 
Step into a Tumi store. You make great money, live out of your luggage, don't cheat yourself under the guise of fitting in or doing what other pilots do.

Needless to say, "Shoes for pilots!" --- ehh, nope.
 
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