Luggage Buyers

I just love Tumi stuff. They have the perfect combination of classy design and rugged, reliable build quality. Their 22 inch Alpha Carry On is a great example, especially when you pair it up with a laptop briefcase.

Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (measures up to exactly 45 linear inches, the maximum allowed carry on dimensions by most airlines).

It comes with a garment bag, a strap to hang a seperate bag (like the matching briefcase) on it. It has a framed, popup expansion (so you can fit more stuff in it, but it may exceed the requirements when expanded). Apparantly this operates with one button, and the expanded section just pops up 2 and a half inches. Made in Tumi's signature ballistic nylon (although their leather stuff is nice too).

As of November 1st, 2008, Continental has lowered their carryon baggage restrictions to 45 linear inches (basically in line with most other airlines). They've had a reputation for being more leniant with a slightly larger limit of 51 linear inches. As always all the information is published on their website.

On various forums people have been discussing how they are cracking down with oversized carry on baggage, especially if the plane is full, so if your bag is questionable (and doesn't fit in one of those ridiculous baggage sizers they have at checkin) then make sure you get to the gate nice and early, and prepare for a possible argument with the gate agent about gate checking your bag.

Now that every airline is charging you to check your luggage, you'll probably save some money going carry-on only. I've advocated this way of travel for years though, it's just so much more convenient to be able to walk off the plane and right out out of the airport. Travelling light is definitely the way to go.

I don't have time to review every carryon suitcase on the market, so I found a few sources of other people that do.

About.com
The Travel Insider
Slate.com

Also saw a great piece on ABC about a comprehensive Consumers Reports review... They really gave Kenneth Cole bags negative ratings, which sort of bothers me because I was thinking of buying one next. Click for the video.

What do I use? Depending on the trip, a standard Samsonite rolling suitcase or my fancier Louis Vuitton annette trolley.

Amazing woven leather rolling trolley suitcase in the high quality that only Bottega Veneta can bring you. Measuring approximately 20″ x 14″ x 9″, this trolley adheres to BV’s signature woven Nappa leather. Definitely a carry-on only piece, no telling what those abusive baggage handlers will do to it.



A steal at only $3960.

Always nice to have a review about what is and is not allowed, if the TSA has any restrictions concerning liquids in your carryon baggage, or whatever. Here's an up to date official list.

Air travelers may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

A surprising entry on the list of allowed carry-on items was "cigar cutter", which I found weird since mine was confiscated last time I tried to carry one on. Continue reading "TSA Airline Carry On Luggage ... »

This is the most useful carry-on suitcase I've seen in a while. Skyroll has a few different options for convenient carry-on garment bags, but their Skyroll on Wheels product gets my vote. It works like a standard carry-on suitcase, except large clothes are placed in a separate garment bag and wrapped around the outside of the suitcase. The suitcase and garment bag are designed to be used together, but can also be used as separate pieces of luggage.

The suitcase has two sections, a main compartment for most of your clothing, and a top compartment for quick access to items you may need while traveling. Open the large front door to load items into the main section of the suitcase. If you need more room in the main section, the top compartment is adjustable, just move it up to make more room in the main compartment. The top compartment is for items you may need to access while traveling. Once SkyRoll is packed, you don't need to remove the garment bag to get to the top compartment, just unzip the top door.

Three suits can be loaded into the garment bag. The garment bag measures 21.5 x 48 inches. The suitcase measures 22 x 12 x 7 inches. With a typically loaded garment bag wrapped around the suitcase the final dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9. It weighs nine pounds empty, seven pounds if you don't use the garment bag.

I can't decide if Purseblog is being sarcastic here or not... I for one love this bag, it definitely sticks out and looks classy while being a masculine color and isn't the normal brown monogram Louis Vuitton... So far it's performed great on about 6 flights, and it's actually quite roomy. The garment bag and folding hanger it came with were a nice touch as well. The black annette canvas is limited production, so pretty soon the only way you'll get one of these is buy buying a used one. A real steal at almost $1800!

I personally love my Samsonite suitcases. I almost never check luggage these days, it's so much more convenient to just pack light and carry everything on. My samsonite carry-on upright has been with me for almost 100,000 miles probably and is still looking pretty good (2-3 years old).

These bags are seriously tough... The steel frame makes a huge difference, I bought a low end bag a year back because I needed something bigger to check when I was travelling in Los Angeles, and 6 months later (and only 3-4 flights later) the bag is deformed and the frame bent. If you are only going to buy one set of luggage, go for quality.

Click Here to Save $35 on your Samsonsite purchase at eBags.com

Features:
- Tough 1682 denier ballistic nylon
- Sleek, co-molded hardware
- Steel frames
- Zip-away accessory strap
- Multiple bloused, gusseted, tilt-out and flat pockets
- Herringbone cross straps
- "Right Height" handles for taller travelers
- Uprights have removable suiter
- Expandable
- Smooth rolling in-line skate wheels
- Bonus hanging toiletry kit with two shoe pockets and laundry bag