Thread: Your favorite carry on luggage?

Former baggage handler here...

If you want bulletproof and ready to withstand a nuclear weapon, a lot of pilots had bags like this. This is probably overkill, but just to give you an idea. This one claims to be lighter than most of its type, but I remember this lineup being really heavy. If you're doing a lot of traveling around the city, I wouldn't recommend it. Stop-Over store original home of luggageworks stealth bag

I've had this for a few years now. Other than a zipper that got stuck (should repair that sucker, or look into a warranty or something) it's been an awesome bag. Light, very durable wheels, nice handle, and plenty of compartments. Just keep in mind that the TravelPros you see in department stores are a little different than this, and not of as good quality. But when I threw bags, so many flight attendants (and some pilots) had this and it just felt like a really good bag that held up pretty well. When I was in Denver for training, I went to the United building across the street, looked at their company store, saw a bag for $150, and bought it. I now work at that building, and my wife is going to interview to work at that store on Thursday. Not that that matters much, I guess TravelPro FlightCrew4 22" Rollaboard

If you must get something in-store because you don't trust buying a bag sight-unseen, Swissgear seemed pretty solid in my experience.

And if your face is going white just looking at these prices, I also have a Nautica checked bag. For the price (can't remember what I paid, but it wasn't bad) it has held up pretty well. Its brand name is embroidered, and that's starting to get some loose threads, but other than that, reasonably solid. I'd imagine their carry-ons to also be good, maybe lacking the bells and whistles. You could probably get that at one of the discount retailers, like Ross, TJ Maxx, Michaels, etc. But if you can spring for a Travelpro, you'll be glad you did. And unlike a night hotel room, you'll use it again and again.

You'll notice that everything I mentioned is all rollerboards. Go with that. You're mostly going from airport to hotel or friend's house, leaving your stuff there, packing, back to airport, and possibly repeat, right? If you were going hiking with a bunch of camping supplies, then absolutely find a backpack or something. But in the city, a good rollerboard with a side handle is good enough. I have NEVER wished I had a duffel or backpack straps. In fact, I have a Targus backpack that I carry around on some trips. Barely small enough to count as a "personal item" with the "1 + 1" carryon rule. If I had anything like backpack straps on my main bag, it would just get in the way. They're gimmicks. Think of it this way, pilots and flight attendants travel more than almost anyone else. Have you ever seen one with a ginormous backpack? That's what I thought.