Posts Tagged baggage
Train Reaction Universal Luggage Connecting Device
Ever hustled through an airport juggling a briefcase, purse, rollaboard, cup of coffee, and phone? Or pushed through baggage claim with a large checked bag and rollaboard each being dragged behind you using both arms? It can be very irritating to slide through the crowds especially if you are traveling with small children who need your other hand to stay with you.
Some briefcases and have handy openings on the back that allow them to slip easily over a rollaboard handle. Other bags come with straps that allow you to hang a smaller bag from the handle of the larger bag, but these tend to fall to the side when walking.
The Train Reaction carrying device is designed to allow for easy transportation of two bags simultaneously without being awkward or wearing you down with too much weight on one arm. The lightweight device connects any two wheeled luggage pieces easily allowing travelers to have a free hand and easily pull heavy bags. This thermal plastic device can pull up to 100 pounds. It slips over the handle with the smaller bag leveraging the weight of the larger bag.
I tried it with a heavy checked bag and my rolling carryon briefcase. I was concerned that the two sizes of the bags may make it awkward with the smaller bag swinging from side to side, but that did not happen. Traveling with this device is a cinch because it fits conveniently into an outer pocket of a suitcase. When leaving baggage claim, the smaller bag dangles over the larger one and stays in place even when weaving through crowds. Hopping into a taxi in a hurry is also convenient since there are no clasps or straps to unbuckle.
It seems like the plastic structure might break if bags are too heavy, but this device is extremely durable and pliable.
It makes a great gift especially for families with small children who are unable to help pull bags on their own. Available for sale at www.trainreaction.com, it costs $14.95 or two for just under $20.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on June 4th, 2012
Travelpro WalkAbout Lite 4 Business Rollaboard Suitcase
An airline crew favorite, the Travelpro line is known for its high quality, durability, and ample pockets. The Walkabout Lite 4 suitcase is lightweight and crafted from a nylon fabric with a DuraGuard coating to resist stains and scratches. The handle pulls up slightly higher than other bags making it much easier to roll, especially for taller travelers. It also has two settings so it can easily be rolled by people of all heights.
The central compartment is spacious with enough room for multiple shoes, clothes, electronic chargers, and other bulky items. An interior pocket zips open on the inside flap of the bag to keep certain things separated. The large wheels roll effortlessly especially on rugged surfaces like cobblestoned streets in Europe or airport carpeting that can sometimes slow things down. Rubber skid guards around the wheel keep the bag’s base protected from bumps on the road.
An exterior pocked has space for a laptop and includes a Velcro strap to keep it locked into position while the foam-padded pockets add protection. A separate smaller pocket is great for passports, boarding passes, coins, or keys. Business travelers can conveniently pack suits or formal attire without worrying it will move around thanks to a strap inside that fastens to keep them in place.
Upon purchase, the bag comes with a detachable strap that can be hung from the top handle to carry a smaller bag or briefcase. The suitcase comes in black and blue and various sizes. The handle at the top of the bag is padded for stress-free lifting, which makes it easy to store in an overhead compartment or carry up a staircase. Other bags often have plastic or thin handles, which can hurt your hands.
My favorite feature of this bag is the plentiful pockets that make it easy to store stuff quickly in the bag when on the go. Heavy packers may prefer the four-wheeled version as it is easier to push through the airport or train station. Travelpro also has a lifetime warranty in case the bag breaks in use. This bag stands the test of jostling in overhead bins and being thrown down jetway stairs on a regional jet. Travelpro is certainly an expert in this field, and the WalkAbout Lite 4 is now an important part of my travel regime.
This Walkabout Lite line comes in multiple sizes and sometimes you can find phasing-out versions heavily discounted. Try eBags for the tw0-wheel or spinner versions and see these links at LuggagePoint and Luggage Guru.
See more reviews of the best luggage for travelers.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on December 5th, 2011
Safe Skies TSA-approved Security Locks
Safe Skies TSA-approved luggage locks
Checking bags when traveling these days is daunting enough with strict weight limits, hefty fees including overweight surcharges, and the need to drag your bags to TSA security checks at some airports. The concern of baggage theft hardly enters the mind of most travelers considering all of the other burdens they must endure. Still, there are plentiful choices for bag locks if one must check their bag.
Many, however, will end up broken because TSA (an acronym that many Americans think stands for Thousands Standing Around instead of Transportation Security Administration) must open it to “take a look.” Other airport or airline employees may feel the same way. The Safe Skies Security Lock prevents that concern since these locks are approved by the TSA yet are unaccessible to anyone else insuring the security of your valuable checked items.
The TSA has received the proper training on how to access baggage with these locks. They also are instructed how to lock them after accessing baggage if the need for further security checks arise.
The Safe Skies locks come with easy-to-understand instructions on how to lock and unlock them. A special TSA-approved cable lock provides added security while still allowing security officials access to your bag. While this does prevent theft from outside intruders, there have been reports of TSA officials also stealing from baggage, which causes alarm. Still, these locks are your best bet in preventing theft from your checked baggage.
They are approved for use domestically.
Certain Safe Skies locks come with the added feature of glow in the dark locks, perfect for those early morning airport runs before the sun rises or late night arrivals.
I tested these locks on the one occasion where I did have to check a bag, and I found them easy to use and lightweight. My concern was that they would add extra pounds to my bag, which they did not. Safe Skies even guarantees that if the TSA clips or breaks the lock that it will be replaced free of charge!
This is clearly the go-to baggage lock for domestic travelers who want the assurance that their baggage will remain safe, but also who must comply with the draconian procedures imposed by the TSA. This lock makes a great stocking stuffer and can be purchased at www.SafeSkiesLocks.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Travel Light on November 14th, 2011
EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale
EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale
Frequent travel can put a strain on your shoulder or back especially if you frequently travel with only carry-on bags. Add on to that extended trips of a week or more and your bags can really add up in poundage. I am especially vulnerable because I travel internationally most of the time where I am subject to strict weight requirements for my carry-on baggage, a luxury that we are afforded in the U.S. (my bags never contain the kitchen sink like those of some infrequent domestic travelers, but they are sometimes heavy because of paperwork and magazines).
Mean check-in agents could always force me to check bags into their brutal “toss-around” maze system of poor baggage handling so I adhere as much as possible to the stringent weight requirements. A device like the EatSmart digital luggage scale is especially vital for my travel patterns. Light and compact in its own right, it keeps me from having to worry most of the time.
The best part about carrying it with me is that I can whip it out if any airline agent argues with me about baggage weight. The scale is automatically calibrated so that it is always accurate. Let’s hope that you have heard by now that most airline scales are off calibration by a few pounds, it’s true! Agents are always quick to give in because they secretly know the same thing.
In addition, some airlines like Delta, have just lowered their threshold on many routes for certain checked baggage from 70 pounds to 50 pounds making exact weight even more critical to avoiding hefty fees.
This hand-held scale is easy to use as you just clip the handle to your bag and lift. The digital screen with backlit display shows the weight instantly. I love when it is underweight meaning that I can buy more souvenirs or collect more goodies along my journey. Since I never check bags, I know the concern for me is only if a mean agent asks to weigh my bag so I always try to use an automatic kiosk if available.
The scale has an excellent capacity of up to 110 pounds making it great for both carry-on bags and checked baggage. It is affordable enough to carry along without worrying it will be lost. Your friends (you may make a few new ones while in the check-in line) will love traveling with you because you help them save money before it is snatched from their hands. It slips cleverly into the outer pocket of your baggage so that it can be accessed without haste.
Trust me! This device will save you on overweight bag fees time and time again. It can be purchased at EatSmart’s web site or on Amazon.
Posted by Ramsey in Travel Light on August 29th, 2011
Magellan’s GoLite Rolling Tote
Fluctuating fuel costs and economic fears have airlines scrounging for dollars at every turn. Travelers pony up big bucks to check their heavy bags (although savvy elite frequent flyer members avoid fees by concentrating travel on one airline) and often pay overweight fees. Some European airlines make it a practice to even weigh carry-on bags charging extra for every pound or forcing them into the hold (a big pet peeve of mine).
I have learned to avoid the hassle by weighing my carryon bag empty to know how much more I can put in, and with Magellan’s GoLite Rolling Tote, I can pack more than other bags. Its lightweight 5 lb 2oz construction consists of a sturdy featherweight soft shell frame and when empty can be lifted with a pinky finger. Even the handle and its base have one metal rod rather than the traditional two to lighten the overall poundage. Campers will love the two backpack straps that keep both hands free. Business travelers like myself can simply tuck them away when not in use.
PracticalTravelGear’s Kara Williams has reviewed these great bags from a mom’s perspective. We hope this business travel perspective will help help on-the-go executives too.
Numerous storage pockets make it convenient for keeping shoes and toiletries separated from dress shirts and expensive electronic devices. When the bag is open, two fabric flaps can zip each side closed to separate items from being wrinkled or touching each other (perfect for dirty clothes). Most bags have some sort of strap that can be buckled to keep things in place, but it does not always prevent things from getting wrinkled the way this GoLite bag does.
The durable wheels can traverse over cobblestone streets and bare the brunt of baggage handlers on regional jets. Two large zippered exterior pockets are perfect for small items or things that I may need to reach in a jiffy.
Green travelers appreciate the recycled nylon material that also does a good job of keeping things dry when the bag gets lightly wet on the tarmac or while waiting for a taxi in the rain.
A lifetime guarantee insures that the bag is a marvelous value, which helps to avoid buying a new bag every other year. It comes in black, red, and green (the latter two make it much easier to spot when the ramp agent brings up all those bags from a regional jet’s belly).
Magellan’s is a reliable travel supplier that knows its stuff. This GoLite rollaboard is one of its best creations to help frequent travelers tackle the rising fees of airlines and their poorly calibrated, greedy scales.
Get the GoLite Rolling Tote at Magellans.com.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on April 25th, 2011
