I ordered this 25″ rolling upright from Calvin Klein today.
It’s my latest entry in the quest for the perfect long-trip suitcase. This one has two handles to let you carry it like a duffel. I plan to slip my arms through them and use it like a backpack. I tried it out in Boston Store the other day, and it will work. (Alas, their stock was all Willow Green.)
Rolling suitcases are great for the airport, but can really be a problem on an ancient cobblestone road. Between the handles and the 25″ size, I’m hoping to keep the misery in check.
I’m still not brave enough to pack for Europe for two weeks in a carry on. This is as small as I’m willing to go for now.
I bet that gem would work for other countries also, like say–Ireland. And half price to boot.
Uhem. I believe that’s possible.
No shipping, either. And actually less than half price – there’s another 30% off today. Total bill was about $110.
I approve. Love it.
I like the way you think.
I agree – longer trips require more luggage space.
I’m an avid carry-on person – avoiding the hassles and the relief of immediate airport departure upon landing.
But yes, longer trips need more luggage. And when traveling with my spouse we will split the contents between our two suitcases prepared for the possibility of only one piece arriving and not the other.
It’s a lotta work trying to outsmart the airlines and airports.
Scan your passport and store the file in GMAIL for easy access in case you lose the original – you can get to it anywhere in the world with internet access.
Actually I equate air travel to bus travel. The industry, the people, the hassle.
I like the Delsey Helium Light luggage we buy at Marshalls. $ 70 or so for a 25 inch case. I researched for hours for a lightweight piece of luggage that could hold 2-3 weeks worth of clothing, for our yearly trips to Europe. I found many cases with “light” in their title weren’t really that light. The Delsey luggage saves me at least 7 lbs off my old American Tourister soft side. When your weight limits are 40-50 lbs on international flights, that 7 lbs is a lifesaver. As a result, our bags normally run in the mid to high 30 lb. range. I refuse to pay for oversize or overweight bags. We also cross pack, and take a small rollaboard with us, packing as much clothing as we can into that. With that plan, we can survive the entire trip (normally a cruise,) if our checked bags don’t arrive.
Some people are shipping their luggage ahead, but that can run into hundreds of dollars per piece. I anticipate the price will come down as the service becomes more widely used.
Indeed, I have a whole gmail file for travel stuff. Every hotel, etc., is there, as is copies of the family’s passport. I also keep a paper copy buried in my suitcase.
I’ve learned to travel carry on. However, Frontier/Midwest is now offering boarding for non-carry on passengers right behind summit/executive members. It’s a thrill to waltz on empty handed now and then. (Empty being small purse and a book.)
We found this last trip that the counter was more than happy to check my carry on for free. To me that’s a clue they know they’ve made a mess of it all.
And Barb, yes to packing survival clothing in your carry on. I’ve had luggage take it’s own trip when I was in Casablanca and Florence. Was I glad to have a couple of days of backup at hand.
Last time I flew, I was using a buddy pass to fly standby. The gate agent lectured me about not checking my bag because it was free–so she forced me to gate check it. I didn’t know, honest!
My suitcase arrived today. Great turnaround. It’s everything I’d hoped for. I love it!
Gate check fine, at least you know your bag is on the plane. I don’t mind that a bit. It’s the long trip from the curb or counter to the plane where the bag goes astray.