Qantas Cabin Bags

[gregor]

Questions for fellow FF's.

Is the Qantas Cabin Baga worthwhile purchase?, and

Would FF's recommend Leather or Material?

I travel apx 6-10 times per year with a large laptop (IBM Thinkpad R50p) and el mucho paperwork and am sick and tired of lugging two cabin bags to accomodate all of my c#&p!

Cheers.

 

[NM]

I have been through 2 of the original material bags and worn them out. But that was with a lot of use. I used them as my primary brief case, not just for travel.

However, I now have a wheelie briefcase that I also use as my carry-on luggage. It is within the size limits for QF carry-on for domestic flights and fits the things I need for travelling.

I have been very tempted to get the leather FF bag, but have not yet bitten the bullet. The reports I have had from those who have it (calling Lindsay Wilson) is that the leather one is stronger than the older material ones I had, which has problems with the handles. My biggest concern is having to lug it around, and I am very much used to wheeling my brief case now 8) .

 

[NM]

Hmm, seems that I have had some problems with AFF today. The previous post timed out and when submitted again I and with a duplicate post.

Maybe I use this as a way to reach 1000 posts before Lindsay Wilson .

 

[sully]

I agree with NM that the wheelie is the way to go. In fact I agree with him twice. While the QF bag is certainly quite roomy with the ability to allow for one or two night's accommodation away as well as computers and files, the overall weight to lug around becomes a bit much.

I have recently ditched the QF bag for said wheelie which is within the cabin criteria, but given the size of some of the bags I see taken on board I wonder if most airlines really police that size limit.

 

[varyingtravel]

I have been tempted a number of times to get the Qantas bag but have resisted. I ended up buying a wheelie carry on bag which meets carry on requirements. It's not a full size carry on as I've found that the largest size doesn't always fit in the overhead lockers. My current one will hold both clothes for a short trip and my laptop.
I have done lots of travel with my laptop over the last 8 years and have had shoulder bags and finally now a backpack. I have to say that the backpack is the best for me.
Lately I have travelled with my wheelie bag as well as my backpack.. It doesn't seem like 2 bags which is good. It also means that when I get to my destination, I don't need to drag my wheelie bag with me, just the backpack.
I had a look at the Qantas bags that my colleagues have and found that they had too many useless pockets for what I needed.
So personally, I would say you'd be better with a wheelie carry on and perhaps even a backpack..
cheers

 

[NM]

I have done lots of travel with my laptop over the last 8 years and have had shoulder bags and finally now a backpack. I have to say that the backpack is the best for me.

I have a backpack for my laptop as well, but I am not too keen to take it on trips anymore :cry: . Not sure if it is such a good idea to use it when travelling on public transport systems around the world. Its a real shame that such tragic events can have such a major influence on what people think about others, and even an innocent thing as a laptop backpack is likely to draw unwarranted suspicion.

 

[icarus]

I bought one of those wheelie briefcases (normal fabric one) from the QFF shop and I love, love, love, love, LOVE it!. I used to carry a black leather cabin bag, not as structured as the QFF ones, and it looked pretty schmick, which is of course important, but the shoulder strap wrecks your clothes and the schmickness doesn't offset the overall aesthetic damage. Plus, after lugging it through several airports in a day you need serious chiropracty.

The QFF wheelie bag is no effort at all to lug around and has compartments for everything you could want. I do NOT travel light, but can fill one side full of files and the other with a change of clothes and all my usual feminine accoutrements, and still have room for foot pillows, ipod, a couple of books, the essential GHD hair straightener and so on. I don't have to make many sacrifices to fit the laptop in as well. The other thing I like is that the shoulderstrap works well as a luggage strap and the case perches neatly on top of a larger suitcase.

The one drawback, for me, is that there are separators in one side of the case to keep files apart. I think these take up unnecessary room and aren't well-configured, and that I could probably get more in the case without them. I haven't quite got up the nerve yet to test my theory by slicing them out with a stanley knife, though. Wish they were detachable.

But overall, this bag is one of the best investments I ever made.

 

[oz_mark]

I got one of the material ones, but I have never really been happy with it. Was looking at getting a leather one after seeing on display at a Qantas Club somewhere (may have been Sydney), but might look into the wheelie bins, I mean cases.

 

[JohnK]

I have a backpack for my laptop as well, but I am not too keen to take it on trips anymore :cry: . Not sure if it is such a good idea to use it when travelling on public transport systems around the world. Its a real shame that such tragic events can have such a major influence on what people think about others, and even an innocent thing as a laptop backpack is likely to draw unwarranted suspicion.

I use a shoulder/backpack for my laptop on public transport everyday.

I could never work out why everyone has been looking at me in a weird way and trying to avoid me. And I just thought it was because I only shower every 3 days. :shock: :?

 

[NM]

This is the one I really want ... just can't justify the cost at this time.

Or perhaps this one with one of these to slip over the handle and carry the laptop and papers etc.

Just a little more expensive than the QF leather bag.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I switched (mostly) to wheelie carryon a couple of years ago and my back sure is thanking me.

Current setup is wheelie carryon for short trips. For longer trips also a sports bag type that is designed to fit over the handle.

Main downside is even empty the wheelie bag weighs a kg or two so quite easy to be over 7kg carry-on limit. I've learned to have a sturdy plastic bag inside with water, books etc that I can take out & throw away or carry by hand if needed to get back under the limit.

 

[gregor]

Main downside is even empty the wheelie bag weighs a kg or two . .

This is probably the only concern that I have for going to a Wheelie Bag - do I wheelie, wheelie need one!

I will be using the bag as a briefcase as well . . . soooo . . I may end up with the QF Cabin Bag.

Thanks the veery excellent postings. There was no info (that I could find out on the Net) re cabin bag reviews.

Cheers

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

At last count, I think I have about 9 suitable small bags of various sizes and designes (ranging from wheelies to compendiums) to select from, depending on the trip.

Best BY FAR is the back pack. No aching shoulder. No problems with transport, allows me to use stairs (I enjoy a couple of short stair cases or walk up and escalator after a flight) and best of all, easier to manouver in airport shops.

 

[browski]

I also am really in the market for both a cabin bag and a general luggage bag. My business trips are generally 2 weeks away at a time every month.

Does anyone have feedback on the Victorinox offerings?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

At last count, I think I have about 9 suitable small bags of various sizes and designes (ranging from wheelies to compendiums) to select from, depending on the trip.

Best BY FAR is the back pack. No aching shoulder. No problems with transport, allows me to use stairs (I enjoy a couple of short stair cases or walk up and escalator after a flight) and best of all, easier to manouver in airport shops.

Agree back pack is best if dont need much stuff (and not wearing jacket that will get crushed). However I often find I'm travelling for a few weeks and unable (or unwilling) to check bags. While I travel reasonably light I'd still have 10-15kgs spread over a couple of bags in that situation. The wheelie comes into its own when having to rush to make the connections, especially when a long walk (eg LHR gate end of pier and need to change terminals, or LAX involving change of terminals).

 

[oz_mark]

This is the one I really want ... just can't justify the cost at this time.

oooer, I like the look of that. Might have to investigate a Tumi store next time I'm in a city with such a thing.

 

[serfty]

This is the one I really want ... just can't justify the cost at this time.

oooer, I like the look of that. Might have to investigate a Tumi store next time I'm in a city with such a thing.

Sadly, it's showing :

sorry, this product is out of stock.

 

[serfty]

I have one of the ones Qantas used to give out to it's OS* members. Am using it today for an in Town overnighter

However, I bit the bullet recently and purchased a 41" wheelaboard. The maximum international size is 45" but my wife has one of these and, as varyingtravel posted, it can be difficult to fit into the OSB's.

My back is already happier.

 

[QF WP]

The reports I have had from those who have it (calling Lindsay Wilson) is that the leather one is stronger than the older material ones I had, which has problems with the handles.

As NM says, the leather Plat FF bag is much stronger (the all leather double handle doesn't fall apart like the synthetic one). The negative is that it is reinforced and not flexible for bigger files (ring bind folders barely squeeze in).

 

[straitman]

I have two material bags and have not had a problem with them although they're starting to look tatty after a lot of use. I usemine as my primary brief case as well as for flying.

I bought the first back when you had to be Plat to get the leather bag which left me way out of contention for leather. There was a small problem with the FF badge on the first one so the supplier simply sent me a new bag without wanting the original back. I recently got a leather bag (same type) and plan to use it for the first time on my upcoming trip to USA.

Main differences are that the leather bag appears to be sturdier however is also a little heavier to start with so carry on limits may need to be considered. The leather bag also looks a little more impressive/upmarket if that's important to you. 8)