Choosing the Right Luggage

by Willy Volk on

I’ve always been of the mind that one piece of luggage is NOT as good as the next. In fact, I generally feel that the uglier the piece of luggage, the better. This thinking is based on the following:

  • If it’s ugly, it’s less likely to be stolen.
  • If it’s ugly, it’s easier to spot on the carousel.
  • If it’s ugly, it probably doesn’t matter if it gets dirty or beat up.

Consequently, updating luggage is not a priority to me. (If you don’t believe me, then consider my current bag: 2 of the bag’s 4 wheels are missing, and the stupid thing won’t stand unless it’s propped against a wall. Who’s going to take it?)

However, if you are quite unlike me — and I presume most of you are — here are some things to consider when selecting luggage:

  • What kind of traveling are you most likely to be doing in the coming year(s)? Jet-setting through Europe’s finest hotels will necessarily require different baggage than back country camping.
  • What’s your budget? You could shell out hundreds or even thousands on a suitcase. Me, I bought my last carry-on bag for $10 at a flea market. (Of course, as I mentioned, the wheels recently fell off. Cause and effect? You be the judge.)
  • Size matters. Are you a thrifty packer, or do you bring every pair of shoes you own?
  • Does the bag really have to have black? A non-traditional color will make spotting your bag much easier.
  • Where are the wheels and/or shoulder straps? Although the prefix of luggage is “lug-“, it’s surprisingly un-fun to lug luggage, especially if you have a long distance to walk.

Packing List Advice has some other tips for helping you to choose the right luggage. However, I’m curious as to what tips YOU have.

Lost luggage. Really, Really Lost.

by Iva Skoch on

A few days ago, I blogged about my horrible experience at the lost baggage counter in Barcelona. Today, exactly a week later, I am already back home from a trip to Spain and France, still without that bag!

Although I managed to see Barcelona and drove up to the south of France, my luggage–it seems–saw a lot more of the world without me.

This is the sad story of poor me and my bag:

  • Monday – I arrive in Barcelona from Prague on Czech Airlines, direct flight mind you. My bag does not.
  • Tuesday – My bag arrives in Barcelona. Should be delivered to my hotel “asap”.
  • Wednesday – I am am enjoying the Costa Brava while someone at Iberia decides to send my bag back to Prague.
  • Thursday – I am driving up to France from Spain. Czech Air promises they will send the bag to me in Bordeaux.
  • Friday – I break down and buy new clothes and toiletries. Bag does not make it to Bordeaux.
  • Saturday – Marathon du Medoc day. My bag is apparently on its way to Bordeaux, yet somehow it gets rerouted to Madrid and then San Sebastien, Spain, of all places.
  • Sunday – I give up and drive to San Sebastien. The bag is not there and apparently has never been there.
  • Monday – I fly back home. Czech Airlines tell me they have no idea where my bag is.

According to USA Today, out of the 3,7 million bags that got lost by airlines last year, 420,000 are lost permanently. Umm, it is a little hard to imagine where almost half million bags end up. Apparently in some lost baggage center in Alabama. With the new “liquid” regulation, the number of checked bags has gone up and one would assume the number of lost bags would go up as well.

I love traveling, but the recent developments in the airline industry make me more and more convinced that trains might be the way to go.

HotelChatter on Keeping Valuables Safe

by Adrienne Wilson on

If too many episodes of Dateline’s bizarre hotel scandals revealed have got you buggin’ out every
time you see the maid or terrified that room service is going to swipe your swim trunks and shower shoes in broad
daylight you could be right. Chances are they won’t, but every now and again they do. Luckily some of us have been
fortunate enough to rely only on luggage locks to secure our
things while we’re away playing tourist in peace. Others, who haven’t been as blessed or the extremely paranoid may wish
to take measures further by investing in the Wireless Briefcase Monitor. HotelChatter does a fine job
breaking down how the handy protection device works in alerting you when crooked-sticky-fingered staff get tempted to
touch. 

The other suggestions mentioned are
fairly well-known like, utilizing the room safe, front desk safes and make-shift disguises (half-empty tampon boxes for
passports, etc.) are all included. However, it’s still a pretty good refresher on making sure your very basic things,
even dirty laundry stay put. Check it out before you check in.

Globe-Trotter Suitcases

by Erik Olsen on

I’m a backpack guy.
Pretty much anywhere I go, even if it’s for work, I pack my stuff into a backpack and head out with my things strapped
to my shoulders. Why? Dunno, I just think it’s easier than having to carry a suitcase around. But some folks prefer the
old suitcase, and if that’s you, then you might enjoy taking a peak at this Luxist post about some new hand made luggage
from Globe-Trotter.

These British suitcases remind me of a
scene from a Hemingway book, or an old black and white Bogart film. They’ve been around for a while, to be sure, but
you have to admit they’re pretty classy-looking. I imagine they would draw admiring stares especially on train trips
,where you’d place one of these elegant babies above you in the overhead bin. Lots of colors available to impress your
fellow travelers and the train conductor.

These British suitcases remind me of a scene from a Hemingway
book, or an old black and white Bogart film. They’ve been arond for a while, to be sure, but you have to admit they’re
pretty classy-looking. I imagine they would draw admiring stares especially on train trips ,where you’d place one of
these elegant babies above you in the overhead bin. Lots of colors available to impress your fellow travelers and the
train conductor.