luggage, flight case, & laptop questions

[FishandFly]

Assuming I'll end up in an RJ in the next couple of years, I'm looking for advice on luggage.

1. What's the largest size roll aboard that fits a CRJ?

2. What's the largest size of flight case?

3. For those of you who carry a laptop computer; do you keep it in your flight case?

Thanks.

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

I can throw my Purdy-Neat rollaboard into an overhead "relatively" easily.

A normal-sized leather Jepp Case will fit in the cockpit cutout.

I carry my laptop with me in a Targus backpack that fits into the "coat-closet" in the flight-deck.

 

[cl-65link]

A laptop wouldn't fit in a flight case, with all the junk we are required to carry. Unless you work someplace that doesn't use paper manuals anymore.

 

[Looking4Traffic]

Size Matters

Less is more in this business.

It's a hassle, particularly if you commute, to cart a bunch of stuff around. That having been said, I do like to carry my laptop with me on trips. I've tried a couple of different remedies.

First, I bought an "office" roller, made by Atlantic, that has a special, reinforced section to carry your laptop. The case is about 2/3 the size of your typical airline rollboard but I still manage to enough for a four-day trip inside. The laptop slips in-and-out of a size, zippered compartment, allowing easy access at security. The case works great. The only downside is that, because of it's smaller size, my flight bag drags a little on the ground when it's attached to the luggage. I have to hold the luggage a little lower then I normally would when I walk to avoid the drag. I'm still working on a remedy for that.

My second remedy is to carry the laptop in a separate, reinforced attache case by Pelican. It's a model 1470 with "pluck-and-pull" foam that you customize to perfectly fit your laptop and accessories. It works great and is literally indestructible. I sit it on top of my Travel Pro (with the flight bag attached to the back) and it works pretty well.

I hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

I ditched the laptop and use a pocket pc. Gives me music, ebooks, games and internet (wireless or 56k dial-up), MS Word and Excel, and it fits in my flight bag; plus I don't have to take it out every time I go thru security.

The Purdy-neat bag is the best (travel pro is the other I used). It fits nicely in the overhead of the CRJ 200, but the 700 and 900 have a different overhead and I can't seem to get it to fit. Our 700s have a coat closet (for now) where we put crew bags but in the 900, it goes down below.

Also, if you decide on the purdy bag, check with your mainline's company store, they might have a better price than crew gear or stopover store.

Good luck.

 

[FishandFly]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I just found that most CRJ's have a maximum overhead bag height of 8".

I just purchased a nice roll a board from costco (with a great warranty) that measures in at 10.5". Am I screwed?

The reason I ask is that I don't want to have to purchase a new bag. Hopefully this purchase will last me a long time.

 

[Airpiraterob]

the flight case

...comes in two sizes depending on the manufacturer and their intentions...19" and 21", those of you on the ERJ, aparently the 19" is the longest case thatll fit in that space next-to and behind the seat, is anyone able to make their day work with a 21 incher flight case? if so how do you do it? (i have to specify....or id get all kinds of replys about inches and makin it work)

appears i migh thave to ditch my old larger case for one that will fit. oh well.

 

[OldManPilot]

If you are looking for a Flight case that will last your career, spend a little extra and get a Scott Leather flight case. Go to scottleather.com and register for a substantial discount.

It is made of saddle leather and 1 piece construction very durable. I have used mine for 12 years and it still is in great shape.

 

[Airpiraterob]

well yeah. scot's the way to go.....i have a 21" case however and i want to make sure i need to go buy a 19" or if i can live with what i got.

 

[OldManPilot]

my Scott is 18x8x12 fits fine on every a/c i have flown. Sorry i can't answer your question further

 

[Airpiraterob]

sokay, thanks for the help tho.

 

[FishandFly]

Do many people just place their luggage in the undercarriage of the CRJ or does everyone make sure they have luggage that fits in the cabin?


Thanks everyone.

Also, thanks for the advice on the flight case!

 

[CRJ puppy]

This depends on the company's policy.

For example, at CMR the pilots on the 50 seat CRJ must put their bags in the cargo compartment (inside a nice dirty yellow vinyl bag "condom"), while on the 40 seat CRJ it goes in one of the crew closets inside. At ACA we could put the bag pretty much where ever you wanted...

Hope that helps.

 

[g159av8tor]

As far as the flight case is concerned, I bought the $25 special at Staples. It has lasted nearly two years and I can probably get another one by years end. I figure I could spend $300 for one Scott case and use two in my career or buy a $25 case every 2.5 years and spend around $300 total.

I'm cheap and happy with my simple case and I use stickers to cover up the holes. If it didn't work as well, I'd have ditched the system. Note: the $40 - $50 are not any better than the cheapie, they just have side pockets that get torn off and are not used at all if they're still attached. Maybe when I can hold the NB, I'll get a big-boy case...

Tailwinds...