The Beaver State

Road to Seoul in K-town. They have an all you can eat for about $17.99. Fairly high quality meats and seafood…clean environment. Includes a steamed egg and a korean pancake too…

Luggage! I love luggage!

mostexerent:

“Every Case Tells a Story”

As a frequent (international) traveler I have had to learn & make some concessions over the years.

Excess luggage & the fees associated.

Baggage handlers & tax drivers.

Other passengers, airline ground & air staff.

Regular followers would know that my approach is old-fashion SLASH classic sort of a bloke. I hark for the days when men wore hats & opened doors for women with out being accused of being anything but a polite human (seriously I have been stared down a few times when I offer a hand to a female or even a seat on the train). Yet enjoy the trappings of modern life.

Historically I would always choose hard case luggage over anything else & depending on the application I may opt for soft luggage.

To date I have had experience with Gravis, Louis Vuitton, Mandarina Duck, MUJI, Patagonia, Prada, Samsonite, The North Face, Tumi, Rimowa & Zero Haliburton.

But I learn’t in over 30 years of mostly international travel, like life, choice of luggage is a compromise. Be it cost, weight, aesthetics & application.

AND YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR - THERE IS NO CHEAPER SUBSTITUTION

In today’s increasingly strict travel policies, I have had to reassess certain criteria. Mainly weight & aesthetics.

Currently a standard 30” hard case is penalized in Canada & the US as 28” is the norm. Also in the US only one carry on is allowed, this includes laptop cases or a suit carrier. & this was before 9/11.

I remember on a flight from Chicago to NYC where I was stopped because I had a lap-top bag & a cabin trolley. I explained that I am on a connecting international flight back to Australia & flying business class. NO! So I said what if I stuffed one bag into the other? The answer was as long as I pass through with one piece it didn’t matter.. Maybe it was my choice of luggage ;) 

Baggage handlers & taxi drivers: Beast unto their own - they have no respect for you or your luggage PERIOD. So with luggage, always make sure there is less loose straps or handles as they will grab at anything. The more robust looking the tougher they will be at testing your luggage. & for those that are unlucky (as happened to some of us), your luggage never arrives with you at your destination.

Luggage Cemetery: Did you know that with all of today’s technology, very few airlines actually track where your luggage is & that if your luggage is lost, it is a manual process! They do not scan your luggage tag when they receive it, It is just stock piled.. No RFID!

Airline insurance: Will not even pay for my luggage or a shoe let alone a pair.. Use your home & contents or Credit Card insurance provider.

Domo Arigato! I had an interesting one way conversation with a taxi driver once in Japanese as he presumed because of my luggage. Rimowa in particular.

Look around: Other passengers take note & adjust accordingly when they see your choice of luggage.

Whilst waiting at the carousel, a lady overly perfumed & teased had a set of “Louis Vuiton” not “Louis Vuitton” luggage proudly in front of her. She then let out this shriek when my LV 30” Keep-all came rolling down the ramp. I looked at her & said it’s fake.. Like yours.. Wink..

Rimowa or Halliburton? US or German? Personally after using both, Rimowa. Why? The ridges offer more structural strength, the locks are better, the finish is well German (though some are now made in Canada, so that must say something about Made in USA), 5 year guarantee, able to be purchased in more parts of the world than Halliburton & in most cases (pun intended) lighter. 

It’s just my personal opinion so no need for any “anon” snarks.

Soft v Hard: If I did not have to carry clothes that needed ironing, suits or dress shoes then soft is the way to go. In particular the 1200 denier or water sealed canvas/nylon. Make sure you get the ones with re-enforced bases & ends as you will be dragging them with our with out wheels. In particular I like the bags made camping expeditions by the likes The North Face, Patagonia or the better know surf/skate/skiing companies as they are built to withstand abuse & usually water resistant or proof. & BIG ZIPS!

Finally always keep copies of your travel schedule & contact details in you luggage so it is visible on opening - Like I said, they don’t scan your luggage tags! 

TSA locks? Only relevant in the USA.

So where am I going with this? Choose wisely & have different sets of luggage for different applications as every case tells a story.

My next post will be what combinations of luggage I travel with & why?

Safe travels.