Is the luggage works 737 bag worth it?

[funnyman12]

Hey guys....I'm going to the 737 and need a new bag. I'm going with another luggage works bag. Is the 737 bag preferred over the normal bag? I like the normal bag more but want to make the best decision. Thanks for your input.

 

[flyboyike]

The only difference between the 737 bag and the "regular" Stealth 22" bag is that the 737 bag has no side pockets. Now, I don't use my side pockets anyway, except for car keys, so it's not an issue...

 

[Old School 737]

My 737 bag has pockets on the side .. Are the new one built without ..?? I thought the difference was the 737 bag was slightly thinner so it fit under the js better ?!?! But my pockets are all ripped because of the stupid screws down there .. I don't need them so I really don't care .. It fits easy under the classic and really easy on the NG

 

[180ToTheMarker]

I think the 737 bag is 13" wide vs the normal 14".

 

[Skyboy722]

I think the 737 bag is 13" wide vs the normal 14".

True. I think the guidance is that if you want the side pockets, you have to get the 737 (narrower) bag so they fit. If you don't need the side pockets you can get the standard bag.

I've had mine for nine years and other that being torn all to h3ll, it's still functional. Second set of wheels (roller blade wheels). Zipper a little sticky in places.

When I bought it, it was a no brainer, as nothing else really compared. Now though, it seems there's lots of compelling competition out there. NOT a foregone conclusion that I'd buy another one....

 

[scoreboardII]

Best bag for buck was the Costco bag, hard to find it now that Costco realized all the returns they were getting where from aircrew.

Next best thing is Briggs and Riley, very nice, very light, durable, but pricey and comes with a lifetime warranty. Seeing more and more of these online.

Next, PNT 737. Built like a tank, weight of a tank, gives that authentic pilot look. Losing favor because of weight and cost to rebuild. Once rebuilt, you just dropped what a BR bag costs that comes with the warranty for life.

Distant last, strongbags.

 

[CA1900]

Next, PNT 737. Built like a tank...

I thought the same when I first got it, but it really isn't. As you said, it's a lot of maintenance.

Honestly, my experience with the thing was mixed at best. I was constantly having to tighten screws on it, all the zippers except the main one wore out in fairly short order, the side rails bowed in and disconnected from the frame, the handle material fell apart, the velcro fastener to hold the handle down didn't last six months, and so on.

The worst finally happened when I ordered a new set of wheels to put on it, and as I was unscrewing the old ones, discovered that the "indestructible" cast-metal frame was anything but. It had cracked almost completely in half, and was bowing out as I tried to unscrew the wheel. I ended up having to ship the thing back to get the frame replaced, which cost me well over $100. But hey, that got me new feet, which replaced the others that had been sharpened to a razor edge.

It was a roomy bag that rolled very nicely, and the company was very nice to work with. Still, I eventually retired it due to the weight and the surprising amount of maintenance it required. I'm now on the same Costco bag I've had for several years now, and it's serving me very well.

 

[HowardBorden]

Hey guys....I'm going to the 737 and need a new bag. I'm going with another luggage works bag. Is the 737 bag preferred over the normal bag? I like the normal bag more but want to make the best decision. Thanks for your input.

I've had mine for well over a decade and it's still going strong. I do not have the 737 bag and it is a small struggle to wedge it under the 2nd jumpseat in a classic 737, but fits easily under the seat of an NG 737.

 

[rjacobs]

I was constantly having to tighten screws on it,

Mine started to loosen up after about a year. I took them all out, put some red loctite on them and put them back. No more loose screws.

But I feel bad for the person at luggage works who will have to take my bag apart if I ever decide to send it in for a rebuild.

 

[flythere]

I thought the same when I first got it, but it really isn't. As you said, it's a lot of maintenance.

Honestly, my experience with the thing was mixed at best. I was constantly having to tighten screws on it, all the zippers except the main one wore out in fairly short order, the side rails bowed in and disconnected from the frame, the handle material fell apart, the velcro fastener to hold the handle down didn't last six months, and so on.

The worst finally happened when I ordered a new set of wheels to put on it, and as I was unscrewing the old ones, discovered that the "indestructible" cast-metal frame was anything but. It had cracked almost completely in half, and was bowing out as I tried to unscrew the wheel. I ended up having to ship the thing back to get the frame replaced, which cost me well over $100. But hey, that got me new feet, which replaced the others that had been sharpened to a razor edge.

It was a roomy bag that rolled very nicely, and the company was very nice to work with. Still, I eventually retired it due to the weight and the surprising amount of maintenance it required. I'm now on the same Costco bag I've had for several years now, and it's serving me very well.

Jesus, did you drop your bag from a cliff, or throw it from your car at 90 MPH?? I've had mine almost 3 years, aside from a few dings, it's still holding up pretty good! I've had to tighten one screw for the handle!

 

[CA1900]

Jesus, did you drop your bag from a cliff, or throw it from your car at 90 MPH?? I've had mine almost 3 years, aside from a few dings, it's still holding up pretty good! I've had to tighten one screw for the handle!

Nope, just gate-checked it regularly for a couple of years; that's all it took. Baggage handlers absolutely hate them because they're heavy, so they let them drop to the ground a lot. Impact plus cast metal is not a good combo.

 

[RJLoser]

Had a rebuild done. New material is ballistic that doesn't tear. Pre refurb screws tended to become lose. New ones don't. Worth the $150. The 150 basically gets you a new bag.

 

[THEPRFCT10]

Had a rebuild done. New material is ballistic that doesn't tear. Pre refurb screws tended to become lose. New ones don't. Worth the $150. The 150 basically gets you a new bag.

Is there a point of contact to schedule /do the refurb?

 

[THEPRFCT10]

True. I think the guidance is that if you want the side pockets, you have to get the 737 (narrower) bag so they fit. If you don't need the side pockets you can get the standard bag.

I've had mine for nine years and other that being torn all to h3ll, it's still functional. Second set of wheels (roller blade wheels). Zipper a little sticky in places.

When I bought it, it was a no brainer, as nothing else really compared. Now though, it seems there's lots of compelling competition out there. NOT a foregone conclusion that I'd buy another one....

Will any roller blade wheels work?

 

[RJLoser]

Is there a point of contact to schedule /do the refurb?

http://www.luggageworks.com/service-dept/

 

[LearLove]

I have the standard size with pockets (ten years and still going strong). When I was on the 737 (300/400) it fit in the "hole" but you couldn't have anything in the side pockets.

 

[psysicx]

Costco.

 

[waveflyer]

Why the negative review on strongbags?
They look better IMO - my 2nd LW is great after 2 years-
First one got tore up by the 73 (side pocket standard from previous world, so it just looked ragged and I opted to just replace it

But asking because I ordered a strong bag and a mix up was shipped a LW and I just kept it- not a good bag??

 

[flythere]

Nope, just gate-checked it regularly for a couple of years; that's all it took. Baggage handlers absolutely hate them because they're heavy, so they let them drop to the ground a lot. Impact plus cast metal is not a good combo.

Ah, must be Menzies,, Bummer!!!!

 

[Fly4$]

Just my 2c for a 737 bag. Get something without the sidepocket, mine broke after 2 weeks. I constantly snags behind something. I have the LW 737 model. As far as durability. Do you really need it to last 10 years or more? Ever see what a 10 yo bag looks like? Do you wear 10 yo shoes too? Next time I will go with something that weighs less.

 

[flyboyike]

I'm on my 2nd LW bag in 7 years, first one made it just over 4.

 

[Hovernut]

My LW 'pretty neat stuff' bag is going on 13 years and the only thing that has been an issue lately is that the main zipper has detached itself from the top and bottom corners. I can still use it, but have to be careful as to how I close it up. When TSA does the 'random check' thing when I have to check the bag, they unravel the zipper a bit more each time.

The long side-pocket zipper blew out after the first couple years. The short and medium on the other side still work. The lower front panel zipper blew out quite a while ago, too. For several years at OH, we had to put our bags in these vinyl duffels and they got tossed around the bag bin on the CRJ. Luckily, mine survived much better than others'. No bowed sides and such.

All's I've done to it over the years is replace a few loose screws with either stainless rivets, or stainless screws. I'm only on my 2nd set of wheels, too. The 'bag man' at DTW at the uniform shop is good at servicing these babies.

I did mod the back of the frame with HDPE (cutting board type material) skids that allow me to drag the bag up curbs, stairs, etc. without scraping the metal frame...glides real nice up the obstructions now!

I'll probably send it in for a rebuild, only because of that darned main zipper problem. Otherwise I'd say it's good for another decade! It'll be in 'light duty' mode now that I'm at G4.

 

[wood pecker]

Just came to the 73 and got the $99 Kirkland Costco bag. Very light weight and if it gets damaged I think it is still free replacement.

Fits fine in cockpit but I do have a problem on some bins getting it to fit in wheels first unless I turn it side ways which is a pain when commuting and you are last on trying to find a space with everyone staring at you like a you are some type of mythical animal. Makes me never want to be a zoo animal.

 

[waveflyer]

Do zoos keep airline pilot wood peckers?