Is it worth the investment?

I had a request from Linda, a client/reader to write about what I thought was the best suitcase out there. Well to be honest, I don’t believe in “investing” in luggage. I did that once and will never do it again. Why? Simple, because it’s not worth it. But why you ask?

Simple - things change too quickly and you are left with out of date luggage, you paid too much for, to feel like tossing. My “investment luggage” became outdated when the airlines started limiting weight to 50-lbs.  Each piece weighted 18 lbs. empty. Sturdy for sure, but taking up too much of that precious 50-lb. limit. Not to mention my cousin, Scott, asking if I packed bricks in my suitcase when he had to carry it up to the 3rd floor.

Next, 2 wheels became 4. Much easier to roll 4 wheels through an airport than 2. Then the limit to 2 carry-on items.  That great piece that fit over the roll aboard, designed for cosmetics and toiletries, had to go, because I couldn’t fit my handbag in it.  Not to mention, that the only liquids I can carry on, must fit in a small plastic bag and all the rest of those items have to be packed in my checked bag. More weight to include in the 50-lb. limit.  Starting to see a pattern?

The European airlines are downsizing the size of roll boards. What about those “smart” suitcases that have GPS’s or USB ports to charge your phone while waiting at the gate?

We haven’t even talked about what happens to your lovely “investment” suitcase when it goes into baggage. Baggage handlers don’t understand your luggage is “investment” grade and should be treated as such. How many times has your suitcase arrived with burns, grease marks, broken zippers etc.? If your luggage screams expensive, it’s more likely to be targeted for theft. If the outside looks that good, there must be better stuff inside.

What’s my solution?

I buy luggage that’s heavily discount at stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. I bought a beautiful 2-piece set that originally cost over $600 for $200.  Who cares if it’s last season’s color? For that reason, I didn’t feel too badly when my checked bag came off the carousel slightly burned and after several trips looking a little more worse for the wear. The roll aboard is now border line for European flights.  I did have to check it once when flying Air Berlin.  Maybe that’s a reason they are in Chapter 11? Too many hassles for their passengers? If a zipper tab is missing or broken, the airlines won’t cover that. They consider it normal wear and tear.

Personally, I feel it’s better value to put the money into your travel experience, then the suitcase you take with you.

Now where are you going to go with the $$ you saved on your luggage?

FYI, the roll aboard is now 30 years old.  

Here’s great article about how it was invented by an airline pilot. 

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Kiss Your Bag Goodbye

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You are off on a trip.  Maybe it’s solo and you kissed your Sweetheart and the kids goodbye. You arrive at the airport to hand your bag off to the airline personal.  What happens now? Is this goodbye, never to be seen again? Or will it show up worse for the wear and/or damaged? Does this bring to mind the old American Tourister commercial with the gorilla baggage handler? Here’s what happens and what you can do to make sure your reunion at the other end will be a happy one.

Stacking thousands of bags of different sizes, shapes, and destinations is all in a day's work for an airline baggage handler. Here are some simple insider tips to keep your bag from being destroyed.

Have a bottom handle - The number one thing a bag can have to help is a handle on the bottom, between the wheels. Grabbing the bottom and top handles allows the baggage handler to easily place the bag on the bag loader or in the hold. It's not just nicer for your bag; it’s easier on their backs.

Pack it full and keep it contained - Baggage holds are not luxurious. Luggage is squashed and stacked. Bags packed full survive this better. Check that zippers are zipped. Open pockets dump everything out when picked up. When liquids are packed in the outside pockets around the luggage; if they don't fall out, they're crushed during luggage stacking and leak out everywhere.

Choose structured luggage - It Luggage brand advertises as the "world's lightest luggage". It's super lightweight because it's like a tent. There's no structure, and anything in it is more likely to be crushed or damaged. Duffels suffer from the same lack of structure. Your bag should either be cheap and you’re willing to frequently replace it, or very well-built and meant to last.

Four-wheels are it - Four-wheel luggage is easy because a handler put it down and push it off to a coworker or the baggage cart and it just glides there. Two-wheel luggage might be thrown or dragged to where it needs to be if they're rushing to get a plane out.

Downsize your luggage tags - Luggage and zippers are all potential FOD (foreign object debris), that need to be cleaned up all the time. Huge, hard plastic tags are the worst. They're easily destroyed and hard to clean up. Business card-style clear sleeves attached to bags are best.

Wrap strollers and car seats in plastic or bags - Straps on car seats get stuck on everything. Some car seats and strollers are pretty gross and baggage handlers don’t want to touch them either. If it's bagged, with straps inside, it's more likely to be handled nicely. Non-bagged items come off the plane last, allowing the loader to be shut off if it jams. That means you’ll have to wait the longest for that un-bagged car seat or stroller.

Don't worry about dirt - Having an expensive bag doesn't mean it’s going to be treated any better. No use complaining if your bag gets dirty. As far as handlers are concerned, a bag is designed to protect the contents, not itself.

Now you know what to pack your things in. If you need a great packing list, email me and I'll send you mine, as your Valentine's gift.

Call me, let's talk! 415-931-1945. 
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