BeachGirl247

I researched recently and was torn between the Mother Lode Mini 21" wheeled duffle and Rick Steve's 21" wheeled check bag. I ordered the Mother Lode for our China trip. I'll post back how I like it.

http://www.amazon.com/eBags-Mother-e.../dp/B000ECSO0M

Free shipping and free returns, if I don't like it, on eBags dot com.

indy_dad

Has anyone tried the Sub Zero G line? They are very light (5 lbs). I'm not sure how they would hold up to being checked, but they look like a nice option w/ wheels. (cheap too)

http://www.lazarsluggage.com/intrsubzeg19.html

yk

BeachGirl, the dimensions for the Mother Lode Mini 21" is 21.5 x 9.5 x 14.5 inches. Therefore, total linear inches is 45.5. This is over the restrictions for carryons flying American Airlines, or UA, or Continental, or US Airways. All their limit is 45 linear inches. (That's why I stick with 19" rollaboards, because in reality, it measures 20-20.5" when you add in the wheels and handles.)

yk

The Sub zero G looks too flimsy to me, though I wish there are more photos from different angles. The telescopic handle doesn't look very comfortable, and the regular handle doesn't look like it can lie flat. If it really cannot, that can be a problem if you get asked to fit the suitcase into a sizer.

BeachGirl247

yk, if AA can figure out by looking at my bag that is is over that linear limit by 1/2 an inch, I will gladly pay the fee! I know it's 1/2 an inch but I like the bag. I've had smaller bags gate checked so I guess we're really at the mercy of whomever is at the gate.

My fingers are crossed.

BeachGirl247

I don't know if that came across right. I wasn't arguing I was poking fun at the airlines in a way.

I really do appreciate you pointing that out for me.

yk

I fly AA exclusively, and in the past year, I have been asked to put my 19" suitcase in the sizer at the gate at least 3-4 times. Since more and more people are bringing their suitcase on board (as they don't want to pay for checked luggage fee), I've noticed AA is more stringent on carryons.

Maggie68

Has anyone purchased luggage from Maggellan's? Their VI Ultra-lights look promising. They have a 21" rolling upright that weighs in at about 7 pounds.

yk

BTW, there is a thread over on the AA forum of Flyertalk, and someone actually measured the inside dimensions of the AA sizers:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l#post11974486

I'm just sayin'. BTW, that was the reason why I downsized my carryon from a 21" to a 19". The sizer at Heathrow seems smaller than the AA sizer. I just don't want to risk it.

BeachGirl247

yk, I just might take my new suitcase, along with dh's new one, and try it in the bins to see how they fit. I'm sure I won't be the first one to do that.

But, can't they make you gate check your bag even if it fits? I'm sure you cannot argue with them at that point. Anyone know?

travelgourmet

<i>But, can't they make you gate check your bag even if it fits?</i>

They sure can.

FWIW, I have never been asked to put my carry-on in a sizer. Never, and I fly well over 50 segments per year. I have had it weighed, but I have never been asked to put it in a sizer, and I use the 21/22" size rollaboards.

yk

BeachGirl, the agents usually don't size the luggage at the gate unless it's a completely full flight. Since I get to board first (I'm elite on AA), I've never been asked to have my suitcase checked, because it fits inside the sizer.

Of course, if I board LAST and all the overhead bin space is full, then I have no choice but to have my suitcase gate checked, even though my suitcase is within the carryon requirement.

I was sized a few times in Boston, and at the security line entrance at LAX T4 (AA terimnal).

There is a 200+ ongoing thread on Flyertalk AA forum where posters say where their suitcase got sized (DFW & LAX are the most strict).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...idated-14.html

BeachGirl247

Thanks for posting that link. I'll check it out. I like the bag you chose. I have a smaller version in black -- crew series. Between dh and myself we have worn it out! Great size. There's definitely a bonus to being an elite member.

I'm sure we'll have to check our bags on the domestic China flight from Xi'an to Beijing but that's alright. It will be a bonus if we don't!

yk

My husband refused to buy a new carryon for our upcoming trip. He uses a 21" American Tourister, which measures 23 x 14 x 8. I have the same carryon as well which I've used for years, but now I only use the 19" TravelPro.

We fully understand the risk of being rejected by the airlines as a carryon using that 21", but he wants to take that chance. [It *may* fit very snugly if we squeeze it inside the sizer.] Of course, we'll pack some of his clothes in my carryon, so in case he has to check it and it gets lost, he'll still have some change of clothing in my suitcase.

But I've convinced him that if we find this Starlite 51cm suitcase by Travelite when we are in Germany (it is a German company): http://www.travelite.de/en/products.html?pid=58 ; we will buy it and he will leave behind the 21".

SpencerB

For a long time I didn't care how heavy my luggage was. My mindset was "Eh, who cares? I don't have to pack it around." (My suitcase had wheels, yes.) But a while back I started to care. I started packing carry-on luggage instead of packing large suitcases. I got mine from Hey's USA luggage. I didn't shop around so I don't know if it's a ton better than others-but it's worked for me.

I got it online at http://www.irvsluggage.com/Heys-USA-Luggage if you wanted to look.

BeachGirl247

Spencer, I looked at the hard-shell Heys, too.

Have you had problems with it as a carry on since it's a hard shell? It isn't as forgiving when cramming it in to the overhead and wondered if the flight attendants said 'no'.

yk

I have considered the Heys XCase when it was first mentioned here. I was a bit put off by the hard shell, but then when I read some of the comments on ebags (I believe that's the website), I decided against it. There were lots of negative comments about how quickly the surface gets scratched or dented, and many complained that the zippers fell off.

travelgourmet

To my mind, the only downside to the modern hardshells (at least those of good quality) is the lack of exterior pockets. Otherwise, those with a zipper have a fair amount of give, should you need to overstuff from time to time. Yes, you lose expansion features, but if you are concerned primarily about weight and size, then I'm not sure expansion should be a huge concern.

I have the Samsonite X-Lite and can recommend it, though it is expensive and probably overpriced. But, if you get a good deal on it (I got two when they were closing a store and had them for 50% off), then it might be worth a look.

yk

The Samsonite X-lite does look good. The 20" is 6lbs. But the price I found on line is about 5x what I'm willing to pay... Even at 50% off, that's still very expensive for a leisure traveler like me. And you make a good point about the lack of exterior pockets - where I usually stuff a book and my 3-1-1 ziploc bag.

SCFoodie

I have the Heys x-case 19" and love it! It was the lightest weight carry-on I could find and afford. So far the zippers and wheels have held up fine. It fit easily into the overhead compartments, even on City Jet. My hubby is traveling right now with one and I hope he doesn't have any problems with it. If he does, I'll let you know.

As travelgourmet points out, there are no exterior pockets, but I don't miss those since I generally only used them for travel documents, which I now put in my personal item (usually a messenger bag) or a pocket of my coat/jacket.