Luggage and Gear
Travel Totes and Crossbody Bags
American Airlines caps a personal item at 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Most US carriers use a similar box. That box, not the…
Horace Dupuy
Luggage and Gear
Toiletry and Cosmetic Travel Bags
A toiletry bag and a TSA quart bag are not the same object. The quart bag holds only the liquids, gels and aerosols that…
Luggage and Gear
Kids and Toddler Luggage
A child in a paid seat gets the same carry-on and personal item allowance as the adult next to them on most US carriers.…
Luggage and Gear
Luggage Brands Compared
Samsonite Corporation owns American Tourister, Tumi and Hartmann. It prices each brand for a different shelf, from the discount rack to the luxury counter.…
Luggage and Gear
Luggage Locks and TSA Locks
A TSA-recognized lock lets a screener open your bag with a master key instead of a bolt cutter. That is the whole story behind…
Luggage and Gear
How to Open or Reset a Luggage Lock
Every luggage lock built into a suitcase ships from the factory set to 000. If you never touched the dials after buying the bag,…
Luggage and Gear
How to Fix or Replace Luggage Wheels
Most broken suitcase wheels are held on by four rivets or four screws, and a 50mm kit fixes either type in under ten minutes.…
Luggage and Gear
Carry-On Garment Bags: Bifold vs Trifold vs Rolling
Most airlines count a folded garment bag as your one carry-on, not a bonus personal item. If you already plan to bring a rolling…
Luggage and Gear
Luggage Straps and Belts
A cross strap does one job a zipper cannot: it holds a suitcase shut after the zipper fails. A checked bag gets thrown onto…
Luggage and Gear
Luggage Covers and Protectors
A luggage cover has to come off twice. Once at the gate sizer, and once if TSA opens the bag for a hand inspection.…