Tom Bihn Bag Sightings!

[Katy]

Darcy also posted this on the facebook page, but, we figured it would be fun to see your stories as well!

We're curious: how many of you have spotted someone else with a TOM BIHN bag? If there's a story behind that, share it!

Here are mine:

I'm not usually "on the look out" but I have seen a few around Seattle recently.

1. Cork Swift at Ballard Fred Meyer
2. Crimson Medium Cafe Bag in Ballard
3. Plum/Wasabi Ristretto for iPad at Ballard Fred Meyer (about an hour ago!)

[Moose]

HI Katy, below is a post I did in June of last year. To date its been my only TB sighting.
Moose
After flying into New York yesterday I was waiting for my next flight and I spotted a lady with an olive and (I think) cocoa Swift. I was going to talk to her but figured she might think me a bit whacky. Is there some understanding among TB owners that we can just walk up and talk to each other if spotted? I was never attracted to the Swift but after seeing one in person I might just change my mind. It really is a lovely bag.

So, if you were flying through LGA yesterday mid day you should know you were the subject of bag envy.

[flitcraft]

I've had three "sighting" experiences. Once, in the San Francisco airport, a guy with an Empire Builder was sitting at the same gate as I was, carrying my Zephyr and Western Flyer. We chatted a bit, and I tried not to be embarrassed that we were bonding over luggage. (The fact that he was probably fifteen years my junior and fairly attractive added to the embarrassment factor as we gushed about how great Tom Bihn bags are.) My second sighting was in Chicago at a conference--I had a large cafe bag, he had a ristretto, and we traded notes about our bags and how terrific they were. My third sighting was the most exotic--in the Hong Kong airport awaiting flights back to the US. It was not long after the Tristar came out, and the couple with Aeronauts were all over my Tristar. They were on the way to San Francisco, and when I said I was headed to Seattle, the first remark was, "Oh, you're so lucky to be so close to the Tom Bihn showroom!" And I guess they were right, come to think of it...

So, yeah, I think carrying a Tom Bihn bag gives you carte blanche to strike up a conversation with a stranger bearing a Bihn bag. If you see me, feel free to suggest a drink and a chat about luggage--I'm game!

[blackfungi]

last year in november we were at the hong kong air port. at that time i only took my t.b. large shopping bag and my synapse with me and i saw a guy with a black checkpoint flyer. i nearly approached him to say that i also had tom bihn gear with me but i didn't thinking that it was a bit too geeky. next time i will for sure.

[Tzporah]

All my sightings have been at fiber events. I'll never forget my first time at Maryland Sheep and Wool when I basically attacked this woman at the Ravelry party to dig through her Swift and see how much it held.

[wennefer]

My only sighting "in the wild" was seeing a guy with a SuperEgo on the T (Boston), but didn't feel comfortable going up to him We do need that FOT secret handshake.

Not quite in the wild, I did see lots of bags (and a great bunch of people) at the DC meetup last summer.

[Moose]

Hi wennefer,
In addition to a FOT handshake maybe we could establish a FOT understanding. If you have a FOT pouch visible, hanging outside of, sticking out of a pocket, its ok for you to be approached by another FOT pouch holder.
Take it easy,
Moose

[TXGirl]

Hi wennefer,
In addition to a FOT handshake maybe we could establish a FOT understanding. If you have a FOT pouch visible, hanging outside of, sticking out of a pocket, its ok for you to be approached by another FOT pouch holder.
Take it easy,
Moose

That's a great idea! I don't have a FOT pouch, but I guess those who don't could hang a small pouch outside our bag

[Scattered]

Kind of like the tie on the door signals don't enter back in the old dorm days. Good idea. Like TXGirl, I'd have to use something other than a FOT pouch, since I don't have one.

[doornum3]

Although I've not had any TB sightings yet in my neck of the woods (south central TX), I have to admit that I feel pretty smug when I'm carrying my TB gear! It makes me want to say to people, "You have no idea how cool this bag is! Go ahead, ask me!"

[backpack]

That's a great idea! I don't have a FOT pouch, but I guess those who don't could hang a small pouch outside our bag

Or better yet, a Tom Bihn luggage tag!

[TXGirl]

Or better yet, a Tom Bihn luggage tag!

Next month I'll be going on a trip so I guess I need to put in an order for a TB luggage tag. I plan on scoping out everybody's bag

[Flinx]

I'm still waiting to see one in downtown Seattle. :-0

It's cool though... Makes me feel like like I'm the only one who was smart enough to pick up a SuperEgo.

[moriond]

Next month I'll be going on a trip so I guess I need to put in an order for a TB luggage tag. I plan on scoping out everybody's bag

I use Tom Bihn luggage tags on my bags, but I also use the image from holoholo's post as my iPhone screensaver

I love the Matterhorn logo, maybe Tom can also do one with a more tropical look...

<legend><img src="http://forums.tombihn.com/images/misc/paperclip.png" class="inlineimg" /> Attached Images</legend>
<img class="attach" src="http://forums.tombihn.com/attachments/tom-bihn-news-everything-else/1168d1295516596-whats-your-2011-tom-bihn-wish-list-tropical-logo-concepta.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;

Incidentally, "holoholo" is a great name for a forum member posting from Hawaii, since it means to walk around or travel for fun. If I run into Just, I feel secure in the knowledge that I can identify her bags. I actually haven't sighted other Tom Bihn Bags (apart from the ones owned by people who have been infected by -- er, I mean, converted by my buying habits). I did have someone come up to me and recognize the bags (and also state that he had bought some of Tom's bags when they were sold out of Santa Cruz, California), but he wasn't carrying at the time.

[Lime]

I spotted either a Empire builder or Zephyr in Steel at Lester B Pearson (Toronto Internatinal) airport in mid October 2010 which I posted about earlier in another thread

Then in mid May of this year, I was carrying my Crimson Aeronaut at Dublin Airport and one of you folks ran by me with a black Aeronaut. I didn't get the chance to compliment you on your bag hehe. That incident was funny since I was actually too tired to do any Tom Bihn spotting (one of my favourite travelling activities) but I guess it was just luck.