Travel luggage tips from a professional pilot

[Major Nikon]

I thought I'd post a few tips for efficiently traveling from a frequent traveler. I'm a business aviation pilot and while sometimes I get lucky enough to fly a trip that leaves and arrives locally, most of the time I'm on the airlines traveling to and from planes.

Try to avoid checking your luggage.

Checked luggage means spending more time in the airport checking bags and retrieving them and a greater chance of your bags not following you. Personally I never check bags and I can live indefinitely out of a carry on size bag. I don't need a change of clothes for every day of my trip. Many hotels have laundry facilities on-site or within walking distance. In a pinch I do like the Europeans do and wash my underwear and socks in the sink. Packing light also means not having to lug around as much crap everywhere you go. It really frees you up and makes the whole traveling experience better.

Most airlines allow you to take two carry on bag which generally means a 22 x 14 x 9 inches size bag and a smaller "personal item" no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches. (some airlines have different rules). A 22" bag and a backpack generally meet those requirements.

Now the caveat here is you don't always have overhead bin space and have to check your bag anyway. In my case I'm high enough up in the food chain so I'm usually boarding before this happens. Some airlines have options to board sooner for a fee and some have tricks you can use to board sooner for free. For instance with American Airlines simply joining their frequent traveler program moves you up to group 6 from 9 and pretty much insures you'll find bin space. As you walk back to your seat, start scoping the bin space near your row. If it's filling up, stow yours in a bin before you get to your seat and remember what row you used.

If you travel regularly, invest in a good bag(s).

A cheap bag works fine if you only travel once or twice per year. If you travel frequently, a cheap bag wears out pretty quickly and you suffer the convenience and usability a better one offers. Better bags roll better, don't wear out as quickly, and have storage options which make your life better if you are traveling often.

I use a 22" bag which is size legal as a carry on for airline use. I see people using larger 24" bags and usually you get away with it, but sometimes you don't.

Spinner vs Roller

The spinner has the advantage of rolling in tighter spaces like down a tight aisle in coach. The disadvantage is you give up about 2" of bag space. Since I value every square inch of bag space, I go with a roller.

The bag I use is this one. I had an older TravelPro bag I used for many years and recently replaced it. This bag is heavier than most consumer grade 22" bags, but not by that much. At $200 it's not cheap, but it's also not the most expensive one out there. More expensive crew bags have metal or hard plastic shells, but they are heavier and I'm not a big fan of them. If you expand this bag it doesn't meet most airline requirements. They don't usually check, but sometimes they make you stick it in the size checker and if it doesn't fit you get it checked. If you are looking for a good carry on, I suggest this bag. It's the one quite a few aircrew folks use so it's made to last under heavy use while most consumer bags will not. Travelpro also has a consumer line and I don't know how they compare. For normal infrequent use or even frequent vacation travel, this bag should last you a lifetime. So if you can justify the cost, this is the one to get. One of the great things about this bag is you can get replacement parts should anything wear out. Wheels are generally the first thing to go.

I also use a Swissgear backpack. Into this I pack all my pilot gear, one change of clothes, and my toiletries. If I'm just doing an overnight trip, that's all I take. Even if I have to check my 22" bag, the backpack can always go under the seat so it never leaves me. Again this may be a more expensive backpack than most people need, but if you travel frequently it's well worth it. Naturally it offers more utility than just airline travel as well. FWIW, I see more aircrew using Swissgear backpacks more than any other.

[live love laugh]

1. Swiss gear isn't durable.

I just threw one away after weekly use over the past year it frayed and unraveled all over.

I replaced it with a much cheaper roomy one from Amazon and I’m very happy with it.

[Major Nikon]

2. It's a mixed bag, so to speak

Some of their bags are great and some aren't. I suspect various vendors make the bags and they just put their name on them. I've seen some of their lesser bags which look like junk. The 1900 is a good one as is the 2769, but I think the 2769 might be discontinued although it appears to still be available directly from them. All the parts that tend to wear out like handles and zippers are pretty heavy duty and the nylon material is thicker than most. I don't particularly like the 1900 as well because it doesn't have a feed through strap to mount it on my carry on handle, so I don't travel much with it anymore unless it's the only bag I'm carrying. Still I put a lot of miles on my 1900 and it's still going strong. I've seen a lot of other pilots with the 1900.

[not fooled]

3. Wow, thanks

I'm going to be traveling in a few months and needed travel luggage but was pretty clueless as to what would work, so your post helps a LOT. I just ordered both the TravelPro and the Swissgear backpack, which is much cheaper through your link than on Amazon.



Feel free to post any tips for flying internationally.

[Major Nikon]

8. Generally speaking the only way I fly international is in row 0

So my experience is a bit different.

TSA pre-check is nice to have if you travel much and there's a global entry option. It's a pretty simple process to get although you have to do a walk-in interview. They have lots of locations so chances are you can find one close.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Ahhh, memories.

In my youth, as an airline employee who got to travel for free, mostly first class, my personal rule on my baggage was that I had to be able to carry it myself. And we are talking here 50 plus years ago, long before suitcases had wheels or pull-up carry handles.

I got very good at figuring out how to minimize what I needed.

[aggiesal]

5. This Consumer Reports article came out about 2 months ago ...

https://www.consumerreports.org/carry-on-luggage/best-carry-on-luggage-brands-a8246242313/

[Major Nikon]

9. Until recently TravelPro didn't offer their flightcrew line to the general public

For whatever reason you had to be in the business to get them. I suspect CR reviewed their consumer line and I don't know how they compare. If you only travel once or twice per year you don't need a particularly heavy duty bag. You don't have to worry so much about a wheel falling off, or a zipper failing, or a handle pulling off. These things happen in short order when you are traveling often with a bag not designed for it and will eventually happen anyway which is why replacement parts are nice.

[Phoenix61]

6. I leave tomorrow for a 4 month adventure.

I’m taking a carry on and an Osprey Ozone Duplex 60 for Women backpack. It has a cargo bag that attaches to the backpack. I’ll check the carry on and the cargo bag will count as my carry on and the backpack as my personal item. I’m hitting too many different climates to pull off just a carry on.

[Major Nikon]

7. Here's how I handle weather differentials

I find myself in different weather situations on a daily basis as I might be flying from Green Bay to Santa Barbara as I did a couple of weeks ago. I also find myself working in the rain fairly regularly as we fly in just about all weather conditions rain or shine and the plane still needs a pre and post flight.

The jacket I carry is mid length waxed cotton with a removable hood. It has a removable liner I could buy for it, but instead I use a cardigan sweater which I pack. The jacket I wear or carry into the terminal, the sweater is packed. This covers me for just about any weather situation I might find myself in. The sweater works when it's just cool outside. The jacket for when it's a bit colder or rainy, and both together when it's really cold along with a wool watch cap and gloves. Because it's made of waxed cotton, the jacket is breathable so it insulates well when it's dry or wet and the hood covers me when I'm working in the rain. Waxed cotton comes with a few compromises. I have to re-wax it every couple of years to maintain the water resistance. For me it's worth it because of the versatility.

I'm always flying with black pants so I have a single pair of black dress boots I bring. They are water proof enough that I don't get my socks wet walking through puddles on the ramp. I buy more expensive boots that don't wear out in short order from wearing them daily. I do pack a pair of flip flops I wear inside the hotel room and casually outside when it's warm.

[ThoughtCriminal]

10. Every time I travel

I find myself taking less and less stuff. I have travel clothes that are selected to take up less volume and toiletries cut to the minimum.

I have an Osprey carry-on/backpack, but I try to get by with a messenger bag (also Osprey). I was lucky and got both at estate sales.

I also found some vests (one for summer, one for winter) that have big, secure pockets to hold my documents, smartphone, and Kindle tablet.