Back to Checking Bags and Back to "Which Luggage?" Decisions
 

As some of you know, my Husbear and I often travel by air. Circumstances are such now that we are moving to a one-floor home since he is having increasing difficulty with stairs. While we have enjoyed the use of rolling (four-wheel) luggage he is no longer as adept with using the pieces as he once was. This coming year we have several international trips planned (hopefully) and getting between concourses does not yet require the use of "assistance" in the form of a wheeled vehicle, that may be on the horizon. Selecting long connections might be required as well as spending longer periods in airline lounges.

In the interim we will probably start checking bags and use backpack-style carry-ons for absolute "luggage delayed for who knows how long" essentials.

I am considering changing to Luggage Works bags, too (when did you ever see an airline crew member using a spinner?) although I would never argue with anyone who buys bags at Marshalls, etc., because those obviously work just fine.

Perhaps this post is more of a rant than anything else but it is the new reality which I am not looking forward to NOR have I reached the "needy" phase of internet reassurance, at least I hope not.

Have good days everyone

Dukey, fwiw we have always checked our bags and have been lucky in that it’s been easy and I love not having to shlep luggage around the airport. We like IT bags which are inexpensive, durable, light and expand readily.We don’t travel as much as you by any means, though.

I hope you find ways that work for you to manage the evolving new reality. It’s tough.

Hi Dukey. The spinner comment caught my attention. We travel frequently and both use inexpensive Travelpro spinner carry-ons. I have found that when I need to use the bag in the roller position it's much tougher on my body (arm/neck) than when I'm just able to glide the bag next to me while walking. I'd probably have the same problem with a checked bag. Now this may not be an issue for you if don't have a long walk and you're dropped off near check-in or picked-up near baggage claim, but thought I would mention it. I've been thinking about a new bag, so I'm looking forward to the comments.

Best wishes for successful travels. I hate the airport, and honestly don't think my parents could navigate it at this point, so I do admire your resilience to do what's necessary to keep traveling.

Having to make adjustments is not fun. I wish you both the best.

The last time I bought a new suitcase I remembered how much I disliked spinners. They have a tendency of zipping away. But then I started to like them again.

Not sure about the TJMaxx reference. They have all kinds. Spinners. Two wheels. Usually lots to choose from.

I haven't had a "set" of luggage since my mother bought me a set for high school graduation. When I started traveling, all the guys had Hartmann luggage. Heavy as h*ll. For over 10 years I used the same suitcase, or new versions of the same suitcase. Can't remember the original brand but one of the wheels got crunched and I reported it on arrival in Maui. The Delta luggage folks said to turn it in when I got back home. I did and two days later a big box was on my front porch. Instead of fixing it, they sent me a new suitcase. Okay. Years later, I watched it come along on the carousel with a broken zipper and clothes falling out. I grabbed it and took it to Delta's baggage office, asking for a box (remember the days Delta had boxes to ship stuff?). They kept trying to give me a new suitcase. I just wanted a box. They won. I left with another new suitcase thanks to Delta. So that maybe $50 "investment" lasted for many years of weekly road warrior travel. I've never been a "status" or name brand kind of person anyway. I stopped at a Walmart in NC to ship some books home after a conference. Bought the cheapest roller they had. $10. Roma brand. I wasn't sure it would hold. That little no frills suitcase lasted about a decade too. I packed books or papers in it - heavy stuff - for about 10 years.(Adding - I often see old Romas on the long escalators at Hartsfield and sometimes I talk to the person about it. IME they last as long as a TravelPro or Tumi). My theory is, no one is impressed by name/ brand/ status luggage and the less expensive luggage holds up just fine. I have a real warehouse type place near me and when I go in the back room (it's a huge fabric warehouse that sells all sorts of things) all sorts of name brands are there. I think the luggage industry has to be like the eyeglass frame industry = the same factory making the same pieces.

My friend with MS used to borrow my rolling suitcase to teach at college classes. She needed some extra stability without letting her students know she needed some extra assistance. Personally, I would not do a backpack. I would have a small roller to carry things onto the plane. Don't overpack it so it's still easy to manage but do have something in there with weight for stability. I think your husband would benefit from the extra stability and when and if he needs wheelchair assistance, it will fit easily under the wheelchair. I used wheelchair assistance a lot in 2019 for a series of reasons. I fly out of Hartsfield and it is huge. Connections through Hartsfield can include crazy distances. Sometimes I requested a wheelchair at other airports. Sometimes not. It depended on the airport.

Good luck with the decisions. I have a big Nautica hard shell suitcase I use and check when I'm traveling with bulky things. I don't get on any plane without a roller, even if I don't really need the roller to hold things on the plane. 90% of the time, I travel with just the roller and a tote on top of it.

My last two rollers have been Kenneth Cole. Bought at Marshalls/ TJMaxx, etc. When I DO take a backpack (for trips out west) I usually stuff it in a tote for the plane.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...06e91d8108.jpg
On the way to VA. Grabbed my dad's cane. Later ordered a folding cane in a pretty color.

My elderly friend who a traveled frequently liked her spinner which she would push in front of her with her heavy purse on top, kind of like a walker. That's the nice thing about 4-wheeled spinners, they don't have to be dragged but can be pushed or slid alongside.

I like a small carryon hard sided spinner as my main bag, even if I have to check it. I also have a duffle which converts to a backpack and fits under my seat for a carryon.

Even Tumi is made in China now. They all break eventually if checked. Although the 10-year old Heys still has all four wheels.

I don't like a cloth bag to check, after one apparently was got run over by a truck or got caught in some machinery and arrived with black tracks and a tear. The now defunct South American Airlines blamed the airport. It was a cheapie with no warranty so I had to go to TG Maxx and get a new bag. I think that's when hard sided spinners came into my life.

I prefer two wheelers over spinners. But regarding checking luggage, I try not to but I can imagine a time when it will become difficult to navigate the airport with my luggage in hand.

We always check luggage. Never had a problem.

Why not take advantage of assistance at airport assistance if it makes life easier for you both? I understand it is something people struggle to accept, I know my father hated the idea until he actually tried it, but it really is there for people like your husbear and will the journeys less stressful for you.

I hope you manage your planned trips and have a great time, and also find some peace in your new home.

Consider yourself lucky. We had issues two trips in a row and it's a hassle.

I agree with heti. I did it for most of 2019. I wanted to keep my job and I had heavy duty travel. Wheelchairs in airports made my life a lot easier. Tip well. Those folks are great.

Here's a rolling backpack -
https://www.ebags.com/backpacks/roll...r=fits-22-14-9

If your husband is having any kind of mobility, stability or endurance issues, I think his wearing a backpack is a very bad idea. In any case, that was my personal experience.

I check my luggage because I’m short and I learned here on Fodor’s it’s not okay to ask for help with putting it overhead.

I’ve never had a luggage problem.

As a young teen my daughter had her Tanzania-bound luggage go to Chicago. Of course, she didn’t remove all those little stickies on it from a former trip. To this day she travels with some spare underwear after having to find underwear at a market in Arusha. Not to mention, all her emergency peanut butter and granola bars didn’t arrive either. It took about 5 days for her suitcase to finally show up.

I prefer not to check on the way to a destination but will do so coming back home, which is not time-sensitive.

It seems to be worse to and from Europe. I nearly missed a connection once in Philadelphia waiting for our bags to come in from Portugal, so we could clear immigration and customs.
My brother's clothing for my niece's wedding failed to arrive with him on a flight from Paris or London (they had a connection) to DC. He went shopping on their dime, but the bag showed the day before the wedding. Another time their warm jackets didn't make it to Berlin from California and they were continuing on to look at Northern Lights. Lufthansa had to buy him a new jacket and luggage. Eventually about a month later it showed up at their final destination in Toulouse.

"I check my luggage because I’m short and I learned here on Fodor’s it’s not okay to ask for help with putting it overhead."

Then you asked the wrong people or I wasn't traveling that day:love::love::love:

TBH, I have never had to ask because lots of people volunteer when they see you struggling… but it has come up here. I check my bags for flights because it’s just easier for me. But train travel I typically need some help and rarely don’t have someone offer.

I also actually love the 4-wheel rollers. The two wheel rollers tend to bother my back.

I am also too short and often have to stand on the seat to reach. But generally people help, it speeds things up.

I must have missed that one. Anyway, able people who do not immediately volunteer to help are louts.

I have both 2 Wheeler and 4 Wheeler Luggage, depending on where i am going as to which one I use.

When I go to Palm Springs ( for example) it is just a 2 Wheeler carry on as I then just walk out the airport.


I have always checked luggage and have been lucky............. Violet had her luggage delayed ( lost) once, but it was resolved the next day.

We always did cross pack, in my luggage was half of my items and half of Violet's and vice versus, so if ( when) one luggage gets lost, we were okay.

Of course your valuables and medications etc are always in your carry on !

gruezi I would help you with overhead luggage ....... I know it is difficult for you "short" people :S-

Kudos to you for still wanting to travel and for looking for ways to make it happen.

Not a fan of Spinners. I know too many people who have had accidents when the suitcase “got away” from them.

When you look for a backpack, look for comfortable straps and consider where the zippers are placed if you are concerned about security/pickpockets.

Percy, Fra Diavolo and Dukey - Maybe you’ve already helped me somewhere and didn’t even know it. Anyway, it’s nice to hear from 3 people that you don’t mind. It made me smile.

make it four, even though I am somewhat vertically challenged myself.

In our travel across country and back lately i have been impressed with how helpful passengers, women as well as men, have been in stowing baggage, generally without being asked. Also on both Delta and SW flight attendants offer to help, though it’s not required that they do so. It’s been very gratifying to see.

I love my spinner carry on. Of course, the first time I used it was on a quick work trip to Gatilnburg. I got it out of my Jeep and off it rolled down the sloping parking lot. Fortunatley, I caught it before it got completely away and now know to be a bit careful how I place it on the ground. The few times I have talked myself out of using a roller bag for carry-on, I have regretted it because I then had to lug my purse/tote thru the airport instead of just rolling along.

I remember the discussion on helping get things out of the overhead bin. As a short person, I sometimes need help-I can almost always get my bag up there and get it down, but if it shifts or get pushed out of the way, I just cant reach it. I have been fortunate to have taller folk come to my rescue. I have also imposed on taller folks to assist with some item on the top shelf at the grocery. I am very creative in getting things down but sometimes, especilly with glass bottles, I am try not to use those creative methods. Thanks to all the taller folks who have assisted me. I really appreciate it.

I must admit that sometimes when I see people struggling with luggage I am much too quick to judge them with a less-than-tolerant eye as I ask myself, "Why DID this person bring that huge piece of luggage on?" and that attitude is simply WRONG. I do not agree that anyone who appears to be "able-bodied" is a lout because they don't immediately jump up and help. Responsibility is more valued than ever now which includes not assuming there is going to be someone there to help. Let's face it: the airlines are making literally billions from these incidental fees and I for one have had more than one occasion with "lost luggage" that I was scared to death was going to end up in that clearance place in Alabama.

Weird coincidence - on my last flight the guy who helped me as we deplaned in one airport (Denver) was also the same guy behind me in line at the SW check in about an hour later. What are the odds?!

Not that you asked, but I am a big believer of asking for assistance (a wheeled vehicle or wheelchair) if that would be at all helpful for you or those you travel with. At various times, different family members and friends I have traveled with have been on crutches or mobility impaired and the airport assistance helped to greatly decrease the stress of navigating the airport. I learned this years ago after traveling with a young friend who had MS. I thought I could handle getting us from "A to B" but ended up being faced with a long flight of stairs at one airport with no obvious elevator in sight.

After traveling through LAS this past weekend which was over run with SW passengers who had flights cancelled, I experienced how tough travel can be on seniors. I had one large suitcase- a 2 wheeler- and a carry on. Difficult to get through the crowds, no one to ask for help or directions, long lines. Even if you asked for assistance, I don't know how they would ever get through the crowds. I checked the big bag and schlepped the carry on around with me. Even checking the bag can be hard for some as many airports want you to self tag which means you have to use the computerized system. Not so hard but if you are not computer savvy, it can be stressful.
Gave me a better understanding of why people travel with tour operators. Most of the schlepping of luggage is done for you.
I was glad to be there with a friend and we figured it all out together.
If it had been my parents, its quite likely I would never have seen them again.
I have Travel Pro luggage I bought at the AAA store.

I also was coming to add please don't be shy about using people-mover carts or wheel chair assist at airports. It's truly amazing and incredibly helpful (found this out when I was traveling once around knee surgery, walking with a cane and it was offered to me at check-in when they saw me limp up).

For luggage my top priority is a light-weight when empty. I don't mind replacing luggage more often. I use the IT like jubilada mentioned.

Sunbum, I'm taking my first tour ever next spring. I wanted to return to Ireland but didn't want to drive this time. I did in 1990 with no problems. Just didn't want to do it this time. A very small group tour popped up via a contact and it included the three main things I wanted for a return trip - time in Dublin, return to the Waterford factory and someone else to do the driving. Anything else is gravy. I'm along for the ride! A friend decided she wanted to go. Originally I planned to go solo. I'm looking forward to it although a bit wary - but it will be nice for someone else to do all the luggage handling and the driving. If it goes well, I may be hooked.

I honestly think Fodorites must be really unlucky with checked bags. There are millions of bags checked around the world which arrive safely at the correct destination. A small fraction gets delayed for some reason and an even smaller amount is lost permanently.
DH travelled extensively for work, world wide, always checked a bag and never did end up minus that bag. We travelled a fair bit and never lost a bag. My camera gear was my carry on, so I had to check anyway.
My sons travel a lot for work and just once did son #2 get to his destination before his bag, but it arrived on the next flight and was delivered to his room before he got up the following morning. That was the time his flight to NYC was badly delayed and they consolidated flights. He has to check his personal bag as expensive sound equipment often forms his carry on.
If it weren't for everyone trying to retrieve their bags from the overheads you could deplane a lot faster. I think the companies now charging for carry on, or severely restricting it's size have the right idea.

We had someone take our bag off the carousel despite a huge zebra striped luggage tag and a big red belt on my purple bag, and leave hers, which was a similar size and also purple. We got our correct bag the next morning but we have had no other trouble. My friend recently had someone take her carryon instead of his in the rush to deplane.

Oh dear, oh dear, you have totally jinxed yourself now! :worry:

Judging from your profile picture, you should also consider wearing pants.

starrs- I have only gone on one tour and it was with Overseas Adventure Travel. It was a trip to Africa and I went alone as I could find no one to go with me. It was a small group- maybe 10- and it was great. I don't want to go with a big travel group but 10 worked well and I had no complaints. Of course I had to get myself to Nairobi but that was not too difficult.
I would use a tour operator again in a heartbeat.

We only started checking bags three years ago when our MD said absolutely no more carrying on. It has been stressful but many airline apps have a place to check where your luggage is at any given time. We liked running off the plane, and beating others at passport control. But now much of passport control is faster automatic machines anyway. The faster our luggage ever came out was in Beijing, remarkably. We still each take a 22” bag which are hard to find today, and a small carry on for electronics, valuables that fits on top of luggage when we are walking in airports.

Could you check your bags and then have one backpack between the two of you? That would save your partner having to struggle with a backpack.

We always check regular luggage unless it is a very short trip, but I like a small to medium bag for check in and a medium for carry on because I always pack a couple of changes of clothing, and anything really important in carry on.

After several trips using totes, backpacks, etc. for carryon, I promised myself to never do that again. I had some small pieces of luggage, but thought somehow a backpack would be easier than having two sets of wheeled luggage. Nope!

A few months before COVID struck, I committed to finding a perfect carry on, wheeled, but small enough to sit atop a larger piece if I need to navigate with both. Found exactly what I wanted at Tuesday morning and DH liked it so much, he bought one too. Alas, we have not been able to use it yet.

So, spinners work great for me in airports and something smaller, also spinner, for carryon. No more carrying anything. Oh, also, the carry on has one nice outside, zippered pocket for anything for which I might need easy access.

The only times two wheels are better than spinners is on rough/stone sidewalks and streets. Since we use taxis now that we are “older”, that is not a problem.

Check seams and zippers and if they are good, with enclosed seams and no raveling, cheap lasts as well as expensive, sometimes better. Some of my very cheapest, under $20.00 from an old discount store, are still good at 20+ years.

We fly out of a small regional airport with bad weather and connect through other places with bad weather (Salt Lake, Denver, or Minneapolis); we never check bags anymore. Tight connections and we typically have at least two connections. We have had some bad experiences with not having our luggage show up with us.

Also, I don’t ever pack more than a carry-on anyway.

I think a day pack for your extras is a great idea. I find a backpack much easier (at any age) than the same weight in a tote or a bag carried on one side of my body. If I expect it to be heavier, having a backpack with a hip strap is very helpful, even it's not a particularly sturdy one (although sturdier is better).

Personally, I much prefer two wheels over four - four is hopeless once you move beyond the airport or hotel lobby - and decent recessed wheels are more robust. I know that opinion is divided on this though.

I love spinners for the reason mentioned above. They glide along side of you. I hate dragging the two wheeled bag. I rarely check bags but I will have to next month when traveling to visit my daughter in San Diego.

I like hard side luggage better now and it seems more durable. I have a London Fog navy blue suitcase in 25 inch size, 4 wheel spinner that seems pretty lightweight I plan to check. I think it was around 80 dollars on sale and weighs about 8 pounds. My kids bought me an Away brand international carry on. It is a spinner, hard side and weighs only about 6 pounds. I really like it and would recommend that if you want to carry on one smaller lightweight bag for your essentials. It seems well made and durable.
I have found Travel pro to be a good brand too. I have several of the carry on sized in soft side and they have held up well.

I also like a backpack, but mine has a clip across the chest. It makes it much easier that it doesn't slide off my shoulders like most backpacks tend to do. I also find it easier than carrying a tote around.