Luggage

[Concordia]

When you roll something, you become the beast of burden, the locomotive of something else. You're pulling, pushing, and you're suddenly not as important as what is in your luggage. If you are carrying something, on the other hand, you are in control. Your bag is a mere accessory, just something you picked up.

Piece o' cake when it's filled with 45 pounds of books, and you have an injured spouse and/or kids to get through to the check-in gate.

[hectorm]

The Rimowa seems to be the ticket.

Not for me, although I recognize their good construction.
Maybe it's because when -sailing through airports- I catch a glimpse of one of those multi-wheel corrugated aluminum upright suitcases with rounded metal corners, I can't avoid thinking R2-D2

[uppercase]

^^^
True.
All these wheely rolling things in nylon aluminum cardboard are really just pretty ugly.
But what to do …?

[hectorm]

But what to do …?

When I started flying regularly in the mid 70s, long-distance plane travel still had some glamour, particularly if you were lucky enough to go in a premium class. Today´s mule-loading concept of carry-on luggage did not exist yet as such. You checked in your suitcase(s) and carried ONE rather small briefcase or shoulder bag with you. Most of the time I still adhere to that policy and take the risks and inconveniences involved. I have found them to be off set by the pleasure of being light and almost hands free. I simply cannot pack myself as a mule for the eventuality of my luggage not showing up at destination or for avoiding the carrousel.
For the instances in which carry-on is unavoidable I would still recommend skipping those techno little monsters and take whatever piece is esthetically pleasing to your style.

[Concordia]

^^^
True.
All these wheely rolling things in nylon aluminum cardboard are really just pretty ugly.
But what to do …?

A notable downside of democracy and technological development.

If you get really nostalgic for the good old days, you could hire-- or, preferably, buy-- a Negro to follow you a few paces behind with your bags.

[culverwood]

Was that slight necessary concordia?

[Concordia]

No slight intended, but it is easy to forget how annoying the good old days could be before all these annoying solutions started ruining our travel experiences.

[hectorm]

It does not have to be Maniquean. It´s true that some of the pleasure of old time travel derived from exclusivity and privilege, but there is still room for recreating the good pieces of the "good old days" while keeping out the bad ones.

[shredder]

Some interesting comments in this thread... Always interesting to see the diversity of views.

Out of professional curiosity, could you please list the features you would want in an ideal suitcase and a carry-on luggage, whether they are functional, mechanical or cosmetic, and assuming price is no object? An indication of priority would also be interesting.

The above question is primarily in the context of commercial airlines, but if you travel regularly by private plane, then I would be interested in knowing that bit of detail.

Thank you.

s

[HristoStefanov]

Interesting comments in this topic.
I definitely prefer to waste half an hour at the airport waiting for my luggage, than taking it with me in the cabin. In the cabin I am taking additional suits on hangers in the bags that you get from the tailor. It is uncomfortable, but I somehow don't feel comfortable to put the jackets in a suitcase because I fear too many wrinkles and fear that I will need to press them upon arrival.

I also agree that carrying feels better than pulling like a locomotive. But unfortunately nowadays you don't get so much service as 100 years ago. And you have to carry everything on your own. Having 4 wheels on the suitcase makes life easier.

Having a servant would have been of course much more convenient
By the way: How to legally own another person:
http://www.fooledbyrandomness.com/employee.pdf

P.S. I use the German Brand Titan.
I am considering to try their new Titan Prior series.

[Scot]

The Tumi online sale solved my problem, and at a very reasonable price

[whyescalar]

After extolling the virtues of Rimowa polycarbonate in 2013 on this same thread, I firmly stand by the choice. I replaced the Salsa which had the broken handle in Joburg, and brought back the broken one to Sydney, where we were residing for three years. It was repaired for less than $25, probably the cheapest thing in Sydney, and we bought one of the larger cases to carry the kids clothes, etc., when traveling with the family.

Now that we're stateside I have had the occasion to carry multiple times on private aviation which really lessens the need to carry more though one has more space to do it. I also discovered from Hunt Luggage in Balmain that Rimowa has a little-known service with several hotels that can facilitate same-day repairhttp://www.rimowa.com/en-us/repair/hotels/hk; service heavy in Asia, which for me is a plus. The salsa carryon with the repaired handle is prepared for its next million miles, and my daughters love to straddle the handles of each while mom and dad race through the terminals.

[Noble Savage]

Looks so much better than pulling it.

[hectorm]

Why keep it at your side when that suitcase could be also used as a means of transportation?.
Seriously, although I´ve not seen that one at airports yet, I´ve seen people with smart suitcases that have their own GPS tracking system and that they weight themselves.

[Dr T]

Ive used Victorinox suitcases for about five years now, very well made, light and they look good. However your worst enemy is baggage handling at airports, I have a new case every 10 months or so; not through wear and tear but from suddenly being smashed, wheels ripped off, or a hole punched in the side. That aside I still use Victorinox and would recommend them