Western Flyer as briefcase

[lotuseater]

With hindsight, I do wish I had purchased the Zephyr instead of the Empire Builder. I have yet to one-bag successfully with the EB for more than an overnight trip, and I don't tend to carry it in addition to my TriStar or Aeronaut for longer trips. The EB's dimensions and rigidity don't make it a great underseat fit in coach, and I dislike checking bags as much as anyone here. Perhaps once I get off the road it'll come into its own. For now that's a pipe dream.

[jeffmac]

My daily computer bag/briefcase is an expandable Hartmann bag and measures 17x12x7ish when expanded, and the WF's specs indicate 18x12x7. I figure the extra inch wouldn't bother me all too much, and I might enjoy being able to double it up as a small travel bag in the future. The Zephyr would be my other choice, which is probably better as a day-to-day option.

Grizzled,

The Zephyr is an awesome daily briefcase. I travel with it and a Tristar and when I truly "One Bag" it with th Tristar I miss the Zephyr's functionality.

[Grizzld]

The bag is a little on the large side compared to a regular briefcase but wasn't that much bigger than other bags my coworkers were carrying. It is about the same height, 2 inches longer, and 2 inches wider than my usual leather briefcase.

My daily computer bag/briefcase is an expandable Hartmann bag and measures 17x12x7ish when expanded, and the WF's specs indicate 18x12x7. I figure the extra inch wouldn't bother me all too much, and I might enjoy being able to double it up as a small travel bag in the future. The Zephyr would be my other choice, which is probably better as a day-to-day option.

[OnMyWay]

My WF isn't my everyday briefcase but I used it as a briefcase during a recent business trip. I did so because for the trip I wanted to carry on some clothes in case my checked bag got lost and I didn't want to take a separate briefcase and carry-on in addition to the checked bag.

Once I arrived I unpacked the clothes and used the bag as a briefcase. The bag is a little on the large side compared to a regular briefcase but wasn't that much bigger than other bags my coworkers were carrying. It is about the same height, 2 inches longer, and 2 inches wider than my usual leather briefcase. With a netbook computer, some paperwork, writing pad, pens/pencils, and my small purse inside, the bag was half empty and not heavy. I carried it by the top handle only, I didn't use the shoulder strap when I took it to work.

I have the rolling luggage pocket version and I found the outside back pockets were very handy to stuff items into quickly without opening the bag. I just ordered a Cache and a pen/pencil pouch as accessories for when I use the WF a briefcase in the future (no dedicated pencil storage slots in the WF although there are plenty of pockets on the front).

For one portion of the trip where we were leaving directly from a meeting to go to the airport I went to work with the WF packed with clothes in addition to the briefcase items. The WF didn't look out of place at all--it didn't stand out as luggage.

The WF does stand up by itself when empty, but when packed it depends on how the weight is distributed as to whether it will stand or not. The way I had it packed I had to lean it against the conference room table during meetings.

[Just]

It can stand up by itself, sure, but as with all bags it also matters what you put in it, and where.

[Jeff9266]

Interesting thread - I never thought of using the WF as a briefcase, but I like the idea and prefer business cases which have zippers rather than buckles/flaps like a messenger bag. One question for WF owners - can the bag stand up by itself or do you need to prop it against something? Thx

[Grizzld]

There have been some questions in the forums from architects and construction workers who need to carry 11" x 17" diagrams in their briefcases. The WF is one of the bags that will hold this size paper (flat). See this post and its parent thread, replying to questions about the Empire Builder's ability to handle this size paper unfolded, and giving suggestions for alternate bags (WF, Tri-Star, or Brain Bag).

moriond

Thanks Moriond and Darcy!

[moriond]

I've talked with several customers who use the WF as an everyday briefcase. Hopefully they'll see this and share their experiences!

There have been some questions in the forums from architects and construction workers who need to carry 11" x 17" diagrams in their briefcases. The WF is one of the bags that will hold this size paper (flat). See this post and its parent thread, replying to questions about the Empire Builder's ability to handle this size paper unfolded, and giving suggestions for alternate bags (WF, Tri-Star, or Brain Bag).

moriond

[Darcy]

I've talked with several customers who use the WF as an everyday briefcase. Hopefully they'll see this and share their experiences!

[Grizzld]

Wow...old post, but this is a question I had too. Maybe someone has used the Western Flyer as a briefcase/work-bag in the 2+ years since this was originally posted?

[pretzelb]

Anyone using the WF as an everyday bag for work? I like the two sides (one for laptop and the other for everything else) but it does seem a bit large for an everyday bag.