New Luggage
You haven't bought new luggage since you left college, or since your
honeymoon. You are planning a big trip and realize it's time to sink the bucks
into a new set of luggage.
Get Wheels
Almost all luggage today is available with built-in wheels. The wheels are
rugged, often made in the same design as in-line skate wheels. Suitcases have
retractable handles for pulling them through the airport concourse.
Note that different configuations of retractable handles are better for
people of various heights. When you are in the luggage store, check to see how
the retractable handle of different brands work for you, especially if you are
much taller or shorter than average. Tall people will be uncomfortable if they
have to stoop down to grab the handle. Short people will be uncomfortable if the
bag's center of gravity is too far forward of the wheels, thus pushing the
handle towards the floor.
Do not buy cheap luggage
If you buy cheap luggage, you will be sorry later. Luggage undergoes a great
deal of stress and strain. Cheap luggage will break at inconvenient times and
will cause you much more hassle than you can imagine. For a cheap luggage story,
read Trudy's Lost Luggage. You are very well advised to
buy high-quality, name-brand luggage like Samsonite, Travel Pro or Hartmann. You
might consider sharing the cost and ownership with someone very trustworthy,
like your mother.
Backpacks are very individual
Think carefully about purchase of a backpack, if you are planning a backpack
vacation. Talk to someone of your gender, height and build for recommendations.
Try several at a good luggage or camping store. Again, spend the money and buy a
good quality backpack.
Garment bag or suitcase?
There are pros and cons to carrying a garment bag or a suitcase. Garment bags
are great because when you arrive in your hotel room, you have an instant
closet. Your clothes travel on hangers and can be either left hanging in the
garment bag or moved quickly to a closet or wardrobe. Suits and dresses come
through with fewer wrinkles.
Garment bags, however, hold less stuff than a similar sized suitcase. Garment
bags would be useless for someone packing T-shirts, sweaters and jeans.
Color.
Black is best. Differentiate your black bag from all the other black bags
with a colorful, eye-grabbing luggage tag.
A suggestion for luggage research.
Good luggage is expensive and you don't want to buy cheap luggage. It's worth
your time to do some pre-purchase research. Here are some ideas:
- Phone some travel-bug friends and ask them what they have.
- Check out brands and prices on the Internet.
- Finally, offer to give someone a lift to or from the airport. Spend about
fifteen minutes in the baggage claim area and just look at the varieties of
luggage. Make a note of what looks easy and what looks difficult for people
of your height, build, age and gender.
Are you taking food?
In the post-9/11/2001 era, many airlines have curtailed meal service on all
but their longest flights. Some passengers have special dietary requirements,
for health, religious, weight-control, or medical reasons or just personal
preference.
It's worthwhile to consider, should you want to take food with you for any
reason, to consider the most convenient way to carry it. Travelers
Club makes a line of coolers, the largest of which can be pulled on rollers
like a "roll aboard" carryon suitcase, suitable for the needs of a
traveling family. There are other, smaller, food
coolers available that would be suitable for a solitary traveler or a couple.
See "How to Pack" on this website for a
detailed discussion of interest to the person with special dietary requirements.
My favorite luggage store
I have been impressed with the customer service and selection at
Gene's Luggage and Travelware located
in the Santa Clarita Valley, north of Los Angeles, California. Check out their
website and give them a call if you have any questions. Are you confused about
what size suitcase will hold what you need to carry? Ask Gene.
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02/25/2005
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