Travel bag suggestions?

[Beatriz]

I need a new bag. I take numerous weekend road trips to visit friends, attend cons, etc. In the past, I've used my Travelpro rollerboard bag without much trouble.

However, I'm thinking I may start flying for some of these weekend jaunts, including one late next month. I'd like to replace the rollerboad. It's heavy and awkward to shove in the overhead compartment and since when I fly it will be on regional jets, it won't fit.

Ideally, I'd like to have something between the Aeronaut and the Western Flyer. Since I'm becoming a Tom Bihn addict, I can't wait for that bag to be produced.

So, I'm looking for some help to decide which bag to purchase. On a typical weekend trip, I pack:

one steel boned corset (the stays prevent it from being folded-I roll it into a tube)
a pair of jeans (not too heavy denim)
silk shirt
5 tee shirts or tanks
sleep shirt or pjs
dansko clogs
makeup case and toiletries
1-2 long sleeved shirts
undergarments
socks
travel towel
book
ipod classic with small portable speakers
small digital camera with charger

Of course, the amount of junk I haul increases exponentially if I'm off to a con. Geeks need accessories.

Does anyone have any experience with carrying the Aeronaut on smaller, regional jets? My "personal" item will most likely be my large cafe bag as I doubt they'd let me on board with both an Aeronaut AND my SuperEgo.

Thanks for the insight! I look forward to ordering my new bag!

[flitcraft]

First off, the Aeronaut is far too big for regional jets. The Western Flyer works fine, and we'll see about the mid-sized bag (the Tristar) when it comes out later this year.

I have a feeling, though, that you may have trouble traveling with a bag short of the Aeronaut. Your packing list for a weekend includes 5 tees and tanks, a couple long sleeve shirts and a silk shirt. That's a lot of shirts for 2 days! If you typically pack at that rate, you'll need the space of the Aeronaut for a longer conference trip, even without the other "geek gear."

[Beatriz]

thanks for the info on regional jets and the Aeronaut.

I can actually get almost all of the clothes in my old travel pro carry on (the shoulder bag kind) but no room for my clogs or toiletries. That list was a "worst case" scenario. I usually take tee shirts OR a few tanks with a long sleeved shirt to throw on top, rarely do I take a combination of both.

Again-- thanks for the thoughts! I'd have been quite disappointed to not be able to use the Aeronaut on the regional jets.

[flitcraft]

Actually, all is not lost. A lot of the regional jets let you gate-check larger carryons. They tag them at the gate and you pick them up on the tarmac after the plane lands. No annoying and time consuming trip to baggage claim needed. So, if you can't manage with less than what an Aeronaut would hold, you still may be able to avoid the checked bag route with an Aeronaut. Of course, I wouldn't put breakables like tech equipment in the gate-checked bag, even if it isn't going to baggage claim.

[backpack]

I am repeating myself here, but. I have a Large Cafe Bag as a personal item and use the Brain Bag as my carryon, it fits on regional jets' overheads.

I know it is going to fit all your stuff.
A couple of weeks a go I would have added "provided you fold the clothes as tight as possible" but for his return trip, my husband used the Brain Bag and just tossed everything in and it fitted with room to spare.


If you prefer something that can double as a briefcase, the Western Flyer or the Tristar would be good.


Other members are traveling with a Western Flyer as personal item and the Brain Bag as carryon or vice versa, I am waiting for their feedback.


Maybe we should have a subforum for small jets travel.

[Beatriz]

Thanks, Backpack! I hadn't even considered that as an option. After your comment I went searching through the forums and found several conversations about using the Brain Bag as a multi-purpose bag. I'm leaning toward the Western Flyer simply because it's a bit bigger, but I'm also loving the nify color choices of the BB.

Ahhhh, Tom Bihn addictions. Gotta love 'em!

Again, thanks for the help!