We have many challenges in life and sometimes we like to chew on matters that are not worth it. I have not purchased a piece of luggage for about fifteen years, why, well I fly almost exclusively with Air Canada and when something is broken, torn, damaged, missing or just plain wreck, it's a simple process. You play nice with the baggage agents as they get all sorts of people claiming the designer bags they barely use worth $$$$ were damaged by Air Canada or it's a special bag etc, etc. As a frequent flyer and I mean a real frequent flyer, we know exactly how our bags go through the system, any and all airport baggage system at every airport in the world. So I asked myself why would I spend top $$$ on a piece of baggage that will be abused.
So I simply allow AC to exchange my busted bag for a new one, simple straight forward, and less stressful. You get to know the guys at the bag counter and you build relationships, they get it, no hassle, no fuss, case close.
Bags are not supposed to last longer than your marriage or relationship, sure you can put pretty bows and stickers on them, be creative, and express yourself. For me, I am currently using one of YYZ's 'Please leave this seat open" stickers from the seating area.
It's a piece of luggage, it is not supposed to define who you are, if it does then there are help centers for that. AC has a good inventory of bags, of different colours, sizes, and quality, both hard cases and soft. Keep life simple
