My local Costco (Morena Blvd, San Diego) is currently selling the B&R Baseline 22" Expandable Zip Upright in black and olive for $197. I assume other Costcos are stocking them as well.
The 22" inch is a great deal, but I heard it's not available much longer. I bought another great Briggs & Riley - the 21" Expandable, which they said is replacing the 22". It also has the zipper expansion but is lighter & more airplane friendly. I took it on a recent trip to LA and it was a great carry-in, it fit easily in the overhead head-first. You can check it out at http://www.briggs-riley.com/category...-Upright_U421X
Be aware that the 22" and probably also the 21" baseline models by BR have the so called outsider handle. The proportions will not fit in the sizer. You might get by but if you absolutely don't want any risk of having to check the bag then these two models are too big. Besides that keep in mind that on many European flights you have a weight limit of 8kg or LESS (but can check one bag free). Still, if you insist on carrying on, a bag that weighs 5kg there is not much more than 3kg (6.6lb) left for actually packed goods.
Be aware that the 22" and probably also the 21" baseline models by BR have the so called outsider handle. The proportions will not fit in the sizer. You might get by but if you absolutely don't want any risk of having to check the bag then these two models are too big. Besides that keep in mind that on many European flights you have a weight limit of 8kg or LESS (but can check one bag free). Still, if you insist on carrying on, a bag that weighs 5kg there is not much more than 3kg (6.6lb) left for actually packed goods.
Till
Great bag for US travel (I have four B&R bags), but problematic for Europe per the post above.
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Diamond VIP, AK Air MVPG, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 9
I picked up the B&R 22" Baseline on Tuesday (Costco in Marina Del Rey) for $197.99 (it's marked as a U422X-4). They had one olive and two black remaining on the shelves at that time.
I just now got around to comparing it to my Travelpro Crew 5 22" and it seems like it may be about a 1/2 taller than the Travelpro. I've only had a few tight squeezes with the TP on a few of the older Alaska Airlines 400's and the early generation 900's (the two with the lav's at row 6). the interior appears more useable on the B&R but the outside pockets are not gusseted and it may be hard to get my blanket in and out. there's a pretty handy pocket on the back between the handle guides that looks like a good spot for my laptop charger and cords...
The suiter is pretty much built in, only the bottom panel is removable. If you unzip the bottom panel it looks you would have about a 3/4" deep zippered compartment that you might be able to get some underwear or a pair of folded shirts in side by side.
I also really liked the pivoting stick handle on the Travelpro but oh well,
