Flight Case Recommendations...

[MaxQ]

I'm looking into purchasing a flight case, but I don't want to spend $300+ dollars like the ones they sell in the Sporty's catalog.

I've heard of pilots using "catalog" cases purchased from Office Max or Office Depot or some other office store. I'm looking for recommendations on cheaper alternatives for a flight case.

If you could include links to websites or specific models, that would be great!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[SkyWstman]

If you plan on having your bag for a long time get the expensive leather one. I bought one from staples and it hasn't lasted me a year. The first thing that goes is the handle. Then the rest just starts to come apart. It wasn't made for the weight of all our manuals. Now I gotta go get the good one.

 

[Q200_FO]

Cases...

I have a nylon one and it's lasted so far (6 months) the downer is that I can't put stickers on it like I'd want. Don't get the cheap caltalog cases at Officemax that have the side panels sewn on. That thread will not last a year due to all the wear and tear our bags go through.

 

[LearLove]

For your first flight case get the nylon case at Office Max or Staples. Get the one made by Heritage. These guys have a lifetime warrenty and all you have to do is call them up and tell them you bought a case like six months ago and the bottom broke or the handle broke and they send out a knew one.

I had a used nylon that I got (used) in Aug of 99. I used it over 2 years until I upgraded then got a scott leather one (actually my mommy bought it for me , she's the best, I can't imagine what her supprise is going to be like when I so up back home next year at this time when I'm furloughed from Allegheny).

Watch out with the nylon case if you put it down on a wet ramp, it will soak up the water and you jepps will be wet.

Usually the first thing that goes on the leather and pleather cases is the handle. An easy fix for this is to use clamp metal from a hose clamp (the kind you fix your garden hose with. Just wrap it where the handle broke in a vertical fashion and drill a hole thru it and put a screw and bolt thru and your set for life.

 

[CRJ puppy]

Get the cheap case at Staples or Office Max for your first one. $30-50 and you are set for a year or two. The when you get onto 2nd year pay (or your mom takes pity on you), buy the nice one. Was just at Sporty's today and they sure are nice! (Didn't by one yet, still working on the cheapo one (8 months) and except for the scratches, it still looks new.)

 

[Gobi Gred]

Check out Cencal's website or the flight essentials add that is posted on this website. Cencal makes a flight bag that is for airline crews. It isn't exactly cheap,(around 150.00 to 170.00) but it is cheaper than a Scotty bag. I just got one recently and I love it. Even though it's a soft bag, the material it's made out of is really tough. I called the guys at Cencal and asked them if it was worth it to spend the extra 30 dollars for the 1050 Denier original ballistic nylon. Of course they recommended it. I have to say it was worth it. The bag doesn't show any wear after having it a couple of months. While it isn't your standard airline pilot catalog case, it still looks very professional. Cencal bags also have a lifetime warranty. One more thing, it also fits in the flight case holder on the CRJ. Cencal's website is www.cencal.com.

 

[tacojet]

Here's the ticket:

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=398958&location_info=SG_1_DV_23_SC_2304019_SK_398958

"leather-Like" vinyl how could you go wrong? These things last me about 4 years. I figure that I get sick of my stickers I plaster all over it after a while anyway. You know the backstreet boys aren't cool any more... It's time for a new bag. kidding, kidding!!

 

[getfurloaded]

flight bag

as everyone else has stated

get the staples, office depot Heritage bag. I would recommend the one with the rounded off top. Gives you more room for breakable stuff to put on top of your manuals. (ie glasses, earpiece etc..) Also it has more and better pocket space.

cheap is good and i have only had to buy 2 in 6 years.

Eventually I will buy a leather one but for now they work great and last a long time if you dont beat the crap out of them.

 

[cl-65link]

Don't buy anything from Sporty's. Over-priced. Do some searching, you'll find a better deal elsewhere.

 

[Sphincter Boy]

Office Depot Special. 3 years and counting on mine.

 

[trip]

I suggest a visit to www.avishop.com or www.stopoverstore.com and order yourself up a real leather bag. Leave the office depot made in china stuff for the traveling salesman.

Cheers!

 

[T-Gates]

Judging by the amount of Office Depot "Pleather" cases I've seen in the trash lately in our crewroom, I'd say it is a risky investment. They just arent built for all of the crap we give it. Check out E-Bay from time to time, I got one on there for $5 from a CO pilot with wear waaaaaay beyond my experience, but it is still going strong.... And the price was right. (God I'm cheap....)

--03M