Originally Posted by
kochleffel
For my next likely trip, I'll use a previous-model ebags eTech Weekender. I've been using a wheeled bag, and checking it because of a shoulder injury, but the non-wheeled bag is lighter and holds more, and now I'm able to lift it again. I don't really one-bag, because of the risk of being forced to check it. For a personal item I in that trip I may use a Tom Bihn Pilot.
Yep, this is why I had to switch to a bag that could fit under the seat. Usually a client calls with a problem and I'm booked to fly out that day. It means I'm the last to check in, which means last boarding group, which means often times I was forced to gate check my bag. Sometimes those bags were put with the regular luggage and I had to go to the conveyor belt to get it. It was annoying to wait, and sometimes if there was a connection my bag got delayed. What a pain. Using a bag that fits under the seat eliminated this problem. Granted, I work on machines, so jeans and regular shirts are fine. I'm not required to wear nice clothes or suits.
I started using the S25, which was great and my favorite bag ever. But as I inched closer to 40 I was tired of backpacks and wanted something more "adult." I moved two years ago to the Bento Bag from Nomad. I love it. Granted, it requires you to be minimal, but that's fine. Merino wool shirts and socks solve a lot of packing problems for me.
If Tom Bihn designed an Aeronaut that could fit under the seat, that would be perfect. I love the look and design of those bags but the 30, when fully and reasonably packed, doesn't fit under airline seats.