LUG-Lugging It All Along

When my old wheeled computer bag died, I promised you a review of new wheeled computer cases/attaches.  Newest addition to my luggage collection comes from LUG, a quirky-but-trendy collection of colorful luggage, totes and bags.

It doesn’t take long to assess bag basics, although durability tests might take years (as with my DayMakers handbag).

So here’s the Good, Bad and Ugly – what I like or not about using this particular wheeled computer bag I got.  (Note that it was a gift, so I don’t have model name or number.  No, this was not sent to me by the company for product review purposes.)

Like: that it holds a lot!  Laptop, accessories, files and legal pads, more.  An ingenious side-entrance pocket is perfect for CD/DVDs in their jewel boxes.  Since I have an expensive set of brain entrainment CDs which cannot be downloaded (or play on my ’puter), the whole set and portable CD player fit into that pocket.  There’s a water bottle holder on the other side.

Dislike: vertical design means digging deeply, and stuff gets lost in the bottom.  The office supplies pocket has pen loops and pockets, but is a bit too tight for a real collection of doodads: paper clips and clamps, earbuds, phone recharger, Post-It Note pads, and that wild assortment of itty-bitty stuff in need of organization and accessibility.  The old wheelies did better on that score.  Zipper pulls have no holes to accommodate luggage locks, and there always comes a time when you need to zip up more securely.

Open for Debate: the extendable handle seems a bit flexible, which could be a worry.  Too early to say.

On the whole, it’s working for me at the moment.  For daily commuter use, it’s a cute, stylish, functional office on wheels.  For the really long haul, I just don’t know.

May your road rise to meet you – and your wheelies rise to the occasion!

Ann

Dealing with Lost Luggage

According to the airlines, only about 2% of bags get lost.  For a Road Warrior-ess, that's quite a risk.  Check a bag 100 times a year, and you could lose two, if you're average.

Slash your risks!  Use only a carryon bag whenever possible.  Use our packing tips and others' to reduce your "stuff" enough to get it down to one bag.  Backpackers and some perpetual travelers can live out of one bag for months at a time.  I spent several months "riding the rails through China" with just one duffle.  Laptops were h-e-a-v-y then, wireless did not really exist, and I had to lug along a "small" (hah!) travel printer.  With the teeny-tiny sizes of so many items these days, and reduced weights, it is much easier to lug an entire office, a library, whatever.  So if your trip is less than a week, you can certainly get it down to one.

There are times when you simply need a lot of clothes, heavy winter clothes, or other stuff, and a single carryon simply won't cut it.  Reduce your risks of your bag failing to land when and where you do.

Luggage tags:  do not use your home address.  Use your office address, private mail facility address, P.O. Box, anything to keep nosy-parkers from discovering you are not at home.  Do not put your home phone number on there, either.  Use a free email addie which you could check in case of lost luggage, a message phone, office phone, pager number or similar contactable email or phone that does not reveal your home location and private numbers/addresses.

Help yourself spot your bag faster.  Decal, neon-colored strap, something!

Get your little butt-sky straight to the baggage claim.  Do not get delayed or sidetracked.  Be there when the belt starts rumbling and the bags roll.  The lonely bag is more likely to get lifted than the one you grab the second it spits out of the chute.

Next up: a post on protecting your possessions within.