**Buy a carry-on that fits wheels first - the 22" models won't, get 20"**

I own and have used several times (domestic) the older FlightCrew3 20". I've seen lots of flight attendants with various FlightCrew pieces. I consider it a near perfect bag. I emailed the website that sold me the FC3 about differences between it and the current FC4. They said it's nearly identical - the stitching on the FC4 I was told is more "efficient" and "less poofy." More on this later.

I have luggage OCD so I carry a tape measure whenever I go to luggage stores (engineer nerd here) - the 20" FC3 is approximately 21.5" from the top end to the edge of the wheels (not counting the top handle which usually doesn't impede the closure of the overhead bin's lid).

I think a "true" length of 21.5" is a golden number - my FC3 fits in wheels first perfectly on every Southwest 737 I've been on. On older 737-300's that last statement only holds true from row 5 (port side for sure, barely fits wheels first) and further back; the front bins are small. If the seller of the FC3 is correct about the FC4 20" model being nearly identical, then that's good for new FlightCrew purchasers.

I noticed from the photos that the FC4 has silver trimmings - the FC3's trimmings (emblem, handle accents, etc) are all black. IMO, all black looks sweet on the FC3.

Also, the wheels are AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. Rollerblade wheels - so smooth you can BARELY hear and feel them as you carry it through the airport. It's even quieter than my very recently purchased Briggs and Riley Baseline U421XP (which has an effective length nearly identical to FC3, but the front kickstands limit it's ability to fit wheels first when expanded).

The fact that the 20" FC3 is not expandable has not been a big deal to me. The bag can be safely stuffed with enough stuff as to feel like you are packing an "expanded" piece. The key features that help the 20" FC3 is the small amount of extra nylon material between the main compartment zipper and the piping that defines the main dimension of the 20"x14"x9" case in combination with the large, gusseted main front pocket that sits under the two front pockets seen in the product photo. I'm in the habit of using an EagleCreek 18" Folder that can fit a lot of clothing and still fit in the large front pocket - fits so well you think the two companies planned it out. When it's super stuffed like this (and you are not sitting on it to close), it brings the overall depth of the bag close to 12" and it still fits in the 737 overheads. 12" is the absolutel limit for 737 bin fitting based on the FC3 as a measuring tool but I think the curvature of the bag when fully stuffed helps it fit in the bin w/o slamming it (have you noticed how the tops of those bins are curved?).

You can also just randomly stuff a handful of clothing in the main front pocket in lieu of using the aforementioned folder, or maybe utilize it as your outdoor jacket pocket (granted you aren't stuffing an XXL jacket in there).

Full disclosure, I've never checked the bag, only gate checked it (but several times gate checked). But I wouldn't use any carry-on capable bag if I knew I had to check it, why wait for you luggage? I haven't avoided checking because I think it's weak - I think it's quite well built.

I could comment more but I've already given an earful - happy to share more if requested.

-Ackflyer

PS: I don't work for TravelPro, scouts honor.