I generally check my bags because I will often spend several days at my destination. But the possibility of short 1-2 day trips is on the horizon. So I am looking for advice on roll aboard dimensions. I often see two types of people on planes, the ones that easily slide their roll aboard into the overhead bin, and those that spend ten minutes wedging the bag in only to find the door won’t close. So to avoid option two, what would you all consider "safe" dimensions for a roll aboard? Also, I currently fly 95% Northwest; mostly mainline. Since I live near MSP, I doubt I will be switching to any other carrier, but there is always the occasional RJ and with the Delta merger, I will probably be seeing more of their planes soon.
Janus, my first question would be why you would want to take a roller for such a short trip. Why not take shoulder bag? Or something with backpack straps.
If you do go roller than an 18 or 19 incher should be sufficient and will fit in any and all sizers. Should also easily fit in CRJ bins. Say something that's 18x12x8. That's just two or three linear inches bigger than a standard briefcase which counts as a personal item. It might even fit under the seat.
Janus, my first question would be why you would want to take a roller for such a short trip. Why not take shoulder bag? Or something with backpack straps.
Fair question, I already have a backpack I carry with me that I stow under the seat infront of me. In that I keep my laptop, chargers, misc cables, reading material, and other things (not much room left in it). So all I would use the roll aboard for would be clothes.
Excellent price and warranty and great construction and features. Very comparable to the 22 incher of which you can read my review also on OBOW. The 19" model is getting rare on the market.
The Briggs might seem an inch less deep but you have to add the outsider handle system to that depth.
Still, 9" depth should not be an issue in anything but the tiniest jets. I'd have no qualms of gate checking either bag because of the warranty that includes airline damage on those two models.
I sound like a broken record but I use the Jansport Driver for short trips too. Holds laptop, other small items and one to two changes of clothing. As long as it is not filled to the gills it will fit in RJs. Don't forget to put the bag wheels-out when necessary.
Second option I use is backpack like you OP along with my RedOxx CPA briefcase. The CPA stands upright in overhead bins on mainline equipment, taking up very little space.
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I gave up roller bags a couple years ago due to the issues of using them on some airlines. I went over to RedOxx bags which have no wheels. I use a RedOxx Sun Chaser for trips of up to 5 nights away with room to spare.
I don't travel with a computer. I can get along fine with my IPhone.
For my personal item I use a smaller RedOxx bag, usually the Little Roy and that is all I need.
On some very crowded flights I'm had to put my Little Roy bag into my Sun Chaser and can do that easily.
I guess if you really want to be sure that you don't need to gate check, don't take wheels with you if you travel on the regional jets. My experience is that regardless of the size, if you roll it it gets gate checked...
If you don't mind that, don't want to go for a non-roller solution then you might as well take a slightly bigger one (aka 20" or 22"): works well for other trips and you're not really saving anything anyways.
Thank you all for your responses! I just submitted my order for the 19" Travelpro Plat5 roller. It was only available in "aspen" (which I gather is a shade of gray), but the price was right. And it looks to be perfect size wise, as anything bigger I worry that I will have trouble fitting in on some planes.
