Friday, July 21, 2017

Check Mate

 
Thanks to American Airlines I am now in the market for a new suitcase. This is what happens when a blogger doesn't take her own advice to travel carry-on. But it was a beach vacation at a place where people like to dress up! It was wonderful. I don't regret one minute of wardrobe planning or clothes changing.


The giant rip in the corner of the suitcase wasn't apparent until it got to my hotel. I then noticed my clothes were starting to fall out. It was a large rip, separating frame from fabric. No amount of hastily applied duck tape would keep it together for the trip home. The airlines rep assured me it would survive. He also let me know how to claim the damage after I landed.

I must say American Airlines was very nice. They have a system, though, which smacks of a little racket. They would exchange my suitcase for a new one of the same size. I would then leave behind the ripped one. Or I could come back (within 30 days) with the busted case to see if it could be repaired. If it could not, I would be reimbursed.

How much could I get for a ten-year-old cloth suitcase without a sales receipt? It didn't go that far. I stopped at the idea of coming back to the airport and took their replacement. The new one is not bad looking, but it's the luggage equivalent of $5 umbrellas sold on the streets of New York. It might make one trip without falling apart.

  
So now I need a new suitcase. It will be (drumroll please) one of those hard-sided plastic jobs with eighteen wheels. But here's my quandry and the reason this can even remotely be considered Fashion: Do I go for conservative black, grey or silver, or do I break out in song with something bright or even patterned?

   
It used to be one did not call attention to oneself with lovely luggage as that might indicate the contents were lovely as well. Nowadays all bags look like Tumis. How's a bag-napper to know? If I were one, I would assume the beat-up, soft-sided suitcase held the treasure.

 
Do I pick one in a subtle, sophisticated color to reflect the subtle, sophisticated person I wish to appear? Or do I get one so loud I can spot it from the instant it hits the carousel?

Any thoughts please? My next trip is only 10 months away.    

10 comments:

  1. I guess it depends on where you travel, as to how colorful to be. If you are Europe bound, go conservative. I'd feel self concious checking into a nice hotel with a bag with tulips all over it, as cute as it is. My most recent carry on bag is the type that opens like a book in the middle. I probably wouldn't choose that style again. Takes up a lot of space when opened. Also consider the empty bag weight of a carry on bag if you will be the one lifting it up over head to the luggage bin! Consider the spinner style, saves stress on your arm and shoulder when pulling the bag behind you. I had tendinitis in my elbow for a year from the repeated stress. Good luck.

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    1. Great advice, especially about empty weight and spinner wheels. Always like to think I might be checking into a nice hotel in Europe, too.

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  2. I personally don't ever check luggage (carry-on all the way!), but I would totally do a colourful bag, if I did. I adore that tulip bag.

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  3. I like to be able to spot my checked bag from a distance (this was helpful recently when some stranger was wheeling MY BAG to the cab stand when I got to the pick up carousel ......) - my method of a big colorful tape "X" is much less elegant than the tulip bag but that would be my choice.....


    ceci

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    1. Sounds like a big skull and crossbones might have been a good idea, but probably not TSA -approved.

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    2. The advantage of tape is that you can remove it between the airport and the hotel lobby if you want to.

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  4. I'd go with color as that sounds like what you really want.

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  5. "Avoid anything that resemble Oxfords like the plague" . . . Thanks. I've been so tempted. Comfort. Back to school-days. Cute new models in patent leather, or with amusing and practical Michelin-tire soles. Yet. . .no. Not at age 68. I just needed the nudge back to reality from a sensible woman.

    Jeanne

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    1. Sorry for the delay to thank you for your comment. I have indeed just bought the ugliest pair of shoes imaginable for an upcoming trip with lots of traipsing on the schedule. Have a feeling I will grow to love them.

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  6. P.S.
    I tie a bright red ribbon on my suitcase handle to tell it from all the other similar ones.

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