Any business travel warriors here?

[Gracie]

I just got a new job that requires some traveling/month. It's fun and I really like it.

Anyway I'm looking for a way to pack light and after looking around decided that a trifold garment bag would be perfect.

I zeroed in on the TUMI brand but it's way out of my league price-wise and I missed out on what sounded like the perfect one by not bidding enough at an ebay auction (this was before I realized the retail price of this brand).

We do carry-on only so it has to be light and easy to carry and small when folded.

What do you all use for a one-night or two-night trip? I really need something that won't wrinkle a suit and has room for some shoes.

What about the wheeled garment bags? are they too big for carryon? Do they get in the way if you also have a wheeled regular suitcase carryon (in which case it would be easier to just carry it over your shoulder).

Thanks!!!!!

[ktg0930]

I'm not sure how much help this will be because I travel a lot, but I don't need to wear a suit when I travel.

I just got a TravelPro rolling tote for my overnight trips. I previously used my rolling carry-on suitcase for every trip, but I wanted something smaller for the short trips. I love my new bag---it holds everything for 1-2 nights and also holds a pair of shoes. What I really like about it is that it fits under the seat, so if the overhead space is full, I don't have to worry about gate-checking my bag.

I got it on eBags, but it was a close-out and now they are gone so I can't post a picture.

[Kyra]

I don't have any specific advice for you about packing or products. However, for travel-related information and advice, including products, I like the Flyertalk forums, so you might check there. Congratulations on your new job!

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by ktg0930

I previously used my rolling carry-on suitcase for every trip, but I wanted something smaller for the short trips. .

That's exactly it - I just went to Dallas for 3 days and 2 nights and my rolling carryon suitcase was perfect. now we're going to Syracuse just for one night and I want something smaller.

Originally Posted by Kyra

I like the Flyertalk forums, so you might check there. Congratulations on your new job!

Thank you - I will check them out!

Maybe they'll know the difference between a garment bag and a garment bag that is specifically called carryon garment bag.

[FLFlygirl]

I have not shopped prices in a while but here is a site my DH and I use: http://www.crewoutfitters.com/browse...79-173-5-12-29

The TravelPro and LuggageWorks items we have purchased have held up well, and as crew members that says a lot. Our bags take a lot of abuse. A good quality bag will cost a bit more, but will usually hold up better longer. And if not, TravelPro will pay for their bags to get repaired, and that is a pretty painless process. I have not had to have my Luggage Works items fixed. Oh, and you might want a bag with wheels that can be easily swapped out. Roller Blade wheels are the quietest, squeak-wise and rolling on tile or cement. Luggage Works and travel Pro have their own quiet wheels.

Here is another site: http://www.crewgear.com/default.asp?...s&WCE=Luggage~

The only piece of advice I would give you, is know the demensions of you bag, and the demensions of the allowed space and weight for your carrier. As well as what kind of airplane you will be on for any given trip. Why? Because there is a huge difference in carry-on allowances whether you are going on a jet, a "regional jet," or a turbo-prop. Usually feeder type carriers (American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, etc) have either turbo props or are smaller "regional" jets and there is very limited room, if any. And, more carriers are beginning to weigh carry-ons and charge accordingly. You should be able to lift your bag into an overhead with no assistance.

Good luck and have fun travelling!

Colleen

[Laurielee]

I have no experience but check out ebags, I love that that they show bag open with stuff in it so you can get an idea of what will fit

http://www.ebags.com/luggage/lightwe...=4001+20021441

Laurie

[ktg0930]

Originally Posted by FLFlygirl

The only piece of advice I would give you, is know the demensions of you bag, and the demensions of the allowed space and weight for your carrier. As well as what kind of airplane you will be on for any given trip. Why? Because there is a huge difference in carry-on allowances whether you are going on a jet, a "regional jet," or a turbo-prop. Usually feeder type carriers (American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, etc) have either turbo props or are smaller "regional" jets and there is very limited room, if any. And, more carriers are beginning to weigh carry-ons and charge accordingly. You should be able to lift your bag into an overhead with no assistance.

Good luck and have fun travelling!

Colleen

So true! I spend a lot of time on regional jets. My regular carry-on rolling suitcase is checked plane-side and picked up plane-side at my destination because it will not fit in the overhead or under my seat in the regional jets. That's one reason I love my new little bag because it easily fits under the seat in a regional jet.

I have come to love my regional jets though, because with the plane-side check, I don't have to worry about finding overhead space and I don't have to wait at baggage claim either!

[SusanMac]

I travel a lot for work, and really don't like the garment bags at all. It's totally a personal preference thing. They don't seem to prevent wrinkles. Clothes often fall off of the hangers. If it's folded in an overhead bin, all other bags will mush up your garment bad so it ends up in a wad between the roller luggage. And there's a lot of competition for the hanger spaces at the front of the aircraft, which get filled by the 1st class people first. With all that said, I don't need to wear business suits. So my clothing needs are different.

I'm not a huge fan of the roller luggage, either, but I seem to be the only one. I just keep seeing so many people struggle with trying to get them to roll straight. Then they fight with them in the overhead bins. Sometimes the fit. Sometimes they don't. Every aircraft seems to be different. Plus, my bag just isn't so heavy that I can't carry it. Once again, a completely personal preference (like aisle vs window :-)

I have a Lands End bag that I absolutely love. It's soft sided, so good for either a 1-2 night trip, or 10-day trip. I carry my computer, toilletries (sp?) and other items in a backpack, which works quite well, esp for walking down the airplane center aisle without bumping everyone I pass. Easy for going through the security screeners, too.

I recently found a fantastic website with tips for packing light. I'll try to dig it up.

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by FLFlygirl

The only piece of advice I would give you, is know the demensions of you bag, and the demensions of the allowed space and weight for your carrier. As well as what kind of airplane you will be on for any given trip.

I had no idea!! How do you find that information out? For example, we are flying to Syracuse Monday for a 1-night trip.

We are flying Colgan Air operated by US Air. I'm sure that's some tiny plane. I have TripIt and TravelTracker iPhone apps but neither of them are telling me what kind of plane it is.

Where would I get that information that includes dimensions for luggage?

[cchhbb]

Loren,

Check out this link. http://www.seatguru.com/ It may be of help.

Cheryl

[aggie94]

Originally Posted by ktg0930

I have come to love my regional jets though, because with the plane-side check, I don't have to worry about finding overhead space and I don't have to wait at baggage claim either!

I don't know if this is still true, but it used to be that some airlines, on their regional jets, did not gate-check carry-on luggage that didn't fit in the plane's limited overhead space. They would take it from you at the bottom of the ramp but you had to collect with all the other checked luggage at the baggage carousel. This happened to me twice on what used to be America West on flights from Phoenix to Kansas City. Not sure if that is still the case anywhere.

[Gracie]

OK I played with TravelTracker app a bit more and it does tell me the kind of plane but there's no information on how big (or how small!!) your carryon can be.

Monday's trip to Syracuse is a Saab 340 A/B which only seats 27 - 37 people. Now I think I'm going to be nervous flying on this!

But anyway, I've got the plane info down. Now I just need the overhead/carryon dimensions.

Editing to add - if I'm shopping online instead of IRL, how do I know which bag dimensions are the smallest and lightest?

[FLFlygirl]

Somewhere on every carrier's website there are demensions and limits. Here is USAirways' page: http://www2.usairways.com/en-US/trav...epolicies.html

I haven't booked a real ticket in quite some time, but usually with a reservation you get something called a "contract of carriage." I think they still put demensions and limits in the contract of carriage. But the webpages are usually the best source of info. Contract of carriage usually spells out some legal rights, too. So next time you have insomnia, read one.

When you are shopping online, the bags specs are usually somewhere in the description. For example: http://www.crewgear.com/default.asp?...&WCE=TPCREW22E

The other pitfall to watch out for: exterior expanding pockets. If there is a zipper that allows the bag to expand (bag will look like it is pregnant ) when they are unzipped and packed full, they have a tough time fitting in an overhead unless it is packed with soft items like a pillow or down jacket that squishes. Most rollaboards are an inch or two taller than most allowable demensions, but so long as they are not way over stuffed (expanding pockets full of bricks, for example) they will fit.

I hope this helps! If not, please ask and I will try to clarify for you.

--Colleen
ETA:
http://www.seatguru.com/ is a cool site! Thanks for posting it.
Another good one for tracking: http://www.flytecomm.com/cgi-bin/trackflight I use this all the time.

[ktg0930]

Originally Posted by aggie94

I don't know if this is still true, but it used to be that some airlines, on their regional jets, did not gate-check carry-on luggage that didn't fit in the plane's limited overhead space. They would take it from you at the bottom of the ramp but you had to collect with all the other checked luggage at the baggage carousel. This happened to me twice on what used to be America West on flights from Phoenix to Kansas City. Not sure if that is still the case anywhere.

Interesting -- that would really suck. I fly US Air, Delta, Continental, and Northwest primarily and I've always been able to pick up my bags planeside.

[aggie94]

Originally Posted by ktg0930

Interesting -- that would really suck.

Tell me about it. To go to all that trouble to cram your stuff into a carry-on bag to save the time dealing with baggage claim only to be forced to check your bag? I was quite unhappy about it and let them know that. They still gate-checked strollers but adamantly refused to gate check other bags. But again, America West is the only airline I can remember having that experience with, so it may be moot now but it does really suck to have that happen when you don't expect it.

[Natasha]

Loren,

Congrats!

My husband loves his SkyRoll (http://www.skyroll.com). Very handy for storing shoes separate from your other stuff, and from keeping clothes (especially suits and such) in good shape. You can carry it on. I like it too but it's a bit big for me to sling over my shoulder, since I'm small, so I normally just hold it.

I travel a lot too, often for business, and for 1-2 day trips I usually use a small wheeled bag with lots of compartments to separate my laptop & papers from shoes, clothes, and toiletries. It's the perfect size and can be easily carried on and stowed.

[KimK]

I know this thread is a few weeks old and you probably already got something, but I wanted to add that you might check www.onebag.com. I am traveling quite a bit for work these days and taking a vacation soon (Hawaii!) and am looking for the most efficient ways to pack and travel.

The guy at the One Bag web site has some great ideas, and I've recently purchased one of the recommended bags and will use that for my vacation instead of my usual rolling bag.

I'm curious to see how much more convenient and easy it ends up being.

[Gumbeaux]

About a year ago, a woman traveled to our office with a suitcase that I had never seen before. It was an overnight bag designed to look like a computer bag with wheels. It held her laptop, change of clothes, shoes, and toiletries. The suitcase allowed her to go directly from the airport to our office without first going to her hotel room, which saved time. It really did look like a laptop computer bag and not a suitcase.


It looked similar to this.

[Natasha]

Originally Posted by Gumbeaux

About a year ago, a woman traveled to our office with a suitcase that I had never seen before. It was an overnight bag designed to look like a computer bag with wheels. It held her laptop, change of clothes, shoes, and toiletries. The suitcase allowed her to go directly from the airport to our office without first going to her hotel room, which saved time. It really did look like a laptop computer bag and not a suitcase.


It looked similar to this.

That's pretty much the bag I have! (the small wheeled bag I mentioned earlier in this thread). The only difference I see offhand is that mine doesn't have the cell phone pocket. It's a very handy bag.

[Gracie]

I ended up buying a TUMI trifold garment bag off ebay. It hasn't arrived yet and I won't need it until Nov 2 but I am curious if I will like it (it's returnable).

What I'm struggling with is having 3 bags - my purse, my business tote (not a briefcase but the same idea) and my clothing bag/garment bag/carryon roller.

I have had to cram my purse in the business tote to get down to 2 bags for legal carryon. I want to have a real purse with me for non-work time so I'm dealing with that.

The reason I was looking at a garment bag was that the carryon roller seemed too bulky for the few things I had in it. However if I end up using the TUMI's exterior pockets so it looks pregnant, it may not be useful after all.

I haven't had chance to look through the links in this thread since I last posted but I am off to do that soon. They look really interesting.

Keep the ideas coming! And I will post about my TUMI when it arrives.

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by Natasha

My husband loves his SkyRoll (http://www.skyroll.com).

Wow - loved the concept of the Sky Roll! I thought it was interesting they only sell it at mens' stores. I'm going to try to get over to Men's Wearhouse and see if they have one to look at and compare it to my trifold bag.

[Laura B]

We have a wheeled carry-on from Tumi that actually has a garment bag in the lid big enough for one suit (but the suitcase is shaped like the regular wheeled carry-ons, not like a garment bag). My husband uses this ALL the time, and it is perfect. The best part is that the garment sleeve zips out to save room when I use the bag.

[ktg0930]

Originally Posted by Gracie

I have had to cram my purse in the business tote to get down to 2 bags for legal carryon. I want to have a real purse with me for non-work time so I'm dealing with that.

I don't know if this will work for you, but I have a wristlet purse I use for travel. It holds my credit cards, small wallet and a phone/blackberry. It doesn't take up much space in my briefcase and it serves as a little purse for the non-work times.

I move my DL, a couple credit cards and AAA card to the wristlet for travel. It works pretty well for me and I don't need to keep track of another bag.

[Romandub]

I also pack a small wristlet purse and just use that when I travel for my credit cards, phone and lipstick. Everything else stays at home. That way, I only have my suitcase and a tote bag, both of which I carry on. Works very well for me.

[Gracie]

I received my trifold garment bag. Besides the fact that it had this huge red stain over the bottom third of the bag that was never disclosed, I'm not sure that this is the type of bag I'm looking for.

It's perfect for the suit/clothes I don't want to wrinkle and it's certainly compact and light, BUT by the time I put my hairbrushes, shoes and other things that are not flat in it it would totally stick out (look pregnant! ) and might defeat the purpose. Based on this I'm not sure the Sky Roll is the right thing for me either (where would shoes go?)

Part of my issue is that the carryon rollerbag I have is super heavy - well made and I love the pattern - but very heavy before I ever put anything into it. This is too bad because I have a 3-piece wheeled set of this luggage - carryon, large and larger.

Maybe I should be searching for a carryon roller bag that is lightweight.

Thoughts? Ideas? Why is this so complicated??

[Gumbeaux]

Originally Posted by Gracie

Thoughts? Ideas? Why is this so complicated??

Maybe you could hold off buying anything until you see a lot of what's out there when you start to travel. You can take note of what other people have while waiting in the terminal and boarding. Usually people are eager to share information on purchases they have made and this will give you good information. It is a lot better being able to see and hold something rather than just looking at a picture in a catalog or on the internet.

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by Gumbeaux

It is a lot better being able to see and hold something rather than just looking at a picture in a catalog or on the internet.

That was exactly what was frustrating me. There are no "travel stores" anywhere. All I could see in real life was normal luggage sets. There's only one store around here that sells TUMI anything but it's downtown and hard to get to.

that's a good idea to ask people about their luggage (although these days I'm reluctant to say or do anything out of the ordinary in an airport!). I'm off to OH in 10 days and I will be more observant.

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by Natasha

Loren,

Congrats!

My husband loves his SkyRoll (http://www.skyroll.com).

Natasha - If you're reading this I went to Men's Wearhouse on my lunch break today. I don't think the Sky Roll is for me (where would I put shoes and hairbrushes?? ) but the rolling Sky Roll is AMAZING.







I would have gotten one right then and there but I was in an all-day Powerpoint class and had taken the subway so no car.

It's really light too. Skyroll's website says they're $249 but MW's price was $199.

[Natasha]

Originally Posted by Gracie

Natasha - If you're reading this I went to Men's Wearhouse on my lunch break today. I don't think the Sky Roll is for me (where would I put shoes and hairbrushes?? ) but the rolling Sky Roll is AMAZING.

Wow - very nice! That one wasn't around when DH bought his a few years ago. Hope you get to pick it up soon. Love how organized it looks! (BTW, you saw the two shoe compartments in the regular Sky Roll, right? Though I admit that it's not as geared towards toiletries and such ... maybe why it tends to be sold in men's stores ).

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by Natasha

(BTW, you saw the two shoe compartments in the regular Sky Roll, right? Though I admit that it's not as geared towards toiletries and such ... maybe why it tends to be sold in men's stores ).

I actually did not see the 2 shoe compartments. I was unrolling the Sky Roll and a woman from the store came over to be sure I saw the rolling version. She was alerted by the sound of lots of velcro as I undid the roll!!

I will check it out more thoroughly when I go to buy one.