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Almost 45 years after my first flight, I still carry a backpack. The same one in fact, though its waterproofing is long gone. More often than not, I get to sta
by analog31 1y ago
Almost 45 years after my first flight, I still carry a backpack. The same one in fact, though its waterproofing is long gone.
More often than not, I get to stash it in the overhead bin. There's often space for something like 3-1/2 rollers in a bin, so I can squeeze my bag in. The option of putting it under my seat is something I save for strict necessity, but it's still preferable to gate-checking.
- 0cf8612b2e1e 1y agoI need dire circumstances to travel with more than a backpack. Waiting for baggage claim drains my soul. Traveling with just a carry on means I can walk off the plane into a cab without further downtime.
- socalgal2 1y agoI'm the opposite. I hate having to drag my lugguage around while I'm in the airport. I'm happy to wait for my baggage to be delivered. My life isn't so frantic that 10-15 minutes more is the end of the world. I also don't see it as "downtime". I can check mail, message friends, call friends, read news, listen to podcasts or audio books, or music, all from my phone while I wait.
- drewg123 1y agoMy most frequent flight lands at 11:50pm, and is often 30+ minutes late. The last thing I want is to spend my "down time" at 1am waiting 30+ minutes for my bag in an uncomfortable, loud, jarring space. I'd rather just take a backpack and already be in bed by the time my luggage would have shown up. My wife is just the opposite, and always checks a giant bag. I get so irritated waiting for her bags and so stressed getting to the airport on time for them to take it -- another advantage of carryon only is that you can show up to the airport just-in-time, and you have one less unpredictable line to wait in. Carryon only + clear means I can show up to the airport 10 minutes before doors close and walk on the plane & not have to worry about lines, carry on space, waiting for luggage, etc.
- fvgvkujdfbllo 1y agoI’m team checked luggage. When plane lands, everyone is rushing out of airport, but I causally walk, perhaps grab some coffee or snacks before heading to baggage claim. It helps me relax and get energized for the driving.
- kelnos 1y agoI don't enjoy carrying my baggage around either, but I very much don't enjoy one extra line to stand in to check my bag, and after a long flight I very much don't enjoy having to wait even longer to get to my destination. It's not a matter of "downtime". I want to be to my hotel or house or whatever as soon as possible. Due to airline status etc. I always have a free checked bag, but I never, ever use it.
- bigstrat2003 1y agoSame, also a backpack simply does not have enough room for any trip longer than a couple of days. By the time you add underwear for every day, shirts for every day, multiple pairs of pants, some pajamas, toiletries... you're at a carry-on at least, and it's not hard to fill a checked bag.
- throw-the-towel 1y agoI've had a backpack for a trip that lasted more than a year. Yes, you cannot do this in all climates, but it's not impossible.
- hdgvhicv 1y agoI took some equipment once so figured I’d check my bag at the same time as I hard to wait for baggage anyway Airline lost my bad, and took 5 days for it to arrive. Had no clothes, toiletries etc. to compound things there was then a hurricane and the shops were closed.
- DiogenesKynikos 1y agoIt's 10-15 minutes if the airport you're landing at is functioning properly. I've waited for two hours for a bag before.
- jen729w 1y agoIt's not the waiting at the end that kills me, it's the waiting at the start. When you need to check-in a bag, that's a whole situation. When you turn up at the airport with a backpack and a boarding pass in your Apple Wallet, now that is a nice way to start a trip.
- cool-RR 1y agoCan you share a photo of the backpack?
- analog31 1y agoIt's quite similar to this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/267204880751 https://www.ebay.com/itm/267204880751 Basically a non-descript nylon bag with minimal accoutrements. I curse its lack of features (extra pockets, etc) on every trip, then it goes on the shelf until the next trip. It was on sale at the local sporting goods store when I was in high school. I recently bought a cheap waterproof cover for it, because I noticed that most of the advertised "waterproof" packs come with a cover. I have a very lightweight, tiny day pack that I either roll up and stuff in the main pack, or carry on as my "personal item." That way, I can leave the big pack in my hotel room.
- tstrimple 1y agoI've had good luck waterproofing things with Nikwax. I've got a 20 year old Tom Bihn bag that I've applied it to as well as outdoor clothing and it's been great!