I love JSX.

The product was originally designed and sold by a company called eBags before eBags got bought out.

While I was grinding out consulting work and traveling every week for a solid 3 years and then off and on for the rest of the decade, this bag has been outstanding imo. I only had an issue 1 time (an interior rod poked through) and due to their lifetime guarantee (not sure samsonite still offers it); they just sent me a brand new replacement suitcase. I removed the rod (which was nice for shaping the top of the bag, but not required for usage) and gave mine to my Dad and we both still use our bags.

They work so well I bought a few of their larger bags which I use for trips longer than a week or trips where Im schlepping a bunch of snowboarding gear.

Seriously. Their handles and pocketing designs are really well thought out and super convenient imo. They work great and I thought they were a steal of a deal when I got mine 10+ years ago:

https://shop.samsonite.com/luggage/wheeled-duffels/mother-lode-carry-on-wheeled-duffel/...

I have Champagne taste on a beer salary so that's a world I'm not privy to.

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They don't fit my routing, sadly. Maybe I'll do a combined ski trip / NC game this year and try them out.

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Worked out pretty well until they outgrew it. I figure Briggs makes a good graduation gift, as well as a subtle hint about launching.

I have beat the shit out of it for going on twelve years and it still performs like a champ. I can't justify getting one for the teenagers.

I like that adapter you linked! Getting one or two now.

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Though some of our "guests" can be really demanding on attendants.

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But Qatar & Singapore have passed them by. I've never flown them but I have heard nothing but good things about Cathay Pacific from flight personnel.

I think well of Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.

BA's gone downhill and Air France and Lufthansa were already in the valley.

The Middle East airlines are pretty good, present difficulties notwithstanding. I've had decent luck with Turkish Airlines.

Of the American carriers, I am sort of American by default, but United's been better lately, I might go back. They've all become cattle cars though, the differentiation is much less than it used to be.

Avoid Uzbekistan Airways. Chickens in the aisle, although I gather they have cleaned up their act a bit.

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A lot of the answer depends on whether you fly internationally or domestically, what regions you fly to, and what class of service you tend to utilize.

travel. It's the kind that attaches to the wings of your headrest (not wrapped around the seat back). The second piece is a blackout mask that velcros to the headrest wing wrapped piece, and together they form a snug fitting setup that limits your head movement, both sideways and front / back, based on how tight you apply the velcro mask.

If you're claustrophobic or don't like head constraints, definitely avoid this option, but for me it was a godsend in helping me maximize my sleep time on overnight flights.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL6CXMGZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

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best airline?

There is only one answer.

Luggage: depends on frequency and location.

If you are a frequent traveler, Briggs and Riley is the best-made equipment available by a fair margin, and well worth the expense. It's tough as nails, lifetime guaranteed, and extremely practical with its packing compression setup. High-frequency travelers tend to prefer the two-wheel setup because it's more durable and a bit roomier, but 90% of luggage sold is 4-wheel spinner these days.

In the high-end bracket, Tumi used to be in this spot until they got bought out by PE and turned into a fashion brand. Hartmann's OK, I just don't like the look. Rimowa is worth considering if you want hard-sided, but you probably shouldn't.

For more affordable pieces, Travelpro is what most flight attendants use and it holds up well.

If you are a less frequent traveler (<25k a year), then honestly, save a buck and head to Costco. A reputable brand (Samsonsite, American Tourister) will hold up OK for casual use and be 70% cheaper.

For "location," be aware that US and international carry-on standards are different and the gate attendants do tend to check luggage in the actual sizer these days. Buy stuff that fits your use-case. For most Americans that will be a carry-on 23" conforming bag. For international, look for the "European carry-on". Europe also has weight restrictions for carry-on that are enforced (America technically does as well but they don't enforce carry-on weight in my experience).

Also, don't buy "smart luggage" with embedded batteries. They will cause you screening problems. Also don't pack batteries in checked luggage. There have been problems with fires.

Other stuff:

Adapters: All travel magazine recommendations suck. You want the Road Warrior two-piece adapter system. Has not let me down across fifty countries. https://www.amazon.com/Road-Warrior-Travel-Adapter-Designed/dp/B014IP1VIW?th=1

Converters: they don't work. Don't bring equipment that can't handle 220V.

On plane: An inflatable neck pillow is helpful, Wirecutter rates those. Also, consider your headphone setup and what you will need to connect to the plane - a plug adapter from plane to either a wired headset or a Bluetooth transmitter helps.

On the ground: Having a good one-to-many power brick is helpful. The new ones with Gallium Nitride (GA-N) are more expensive but charge much faster. Anker makes good kit here.

Things to have in your bag:
- Tide pen
- collar stays
- nail clipper, can be scissors in a pinch, will clear security
- your preferred drugs; international can be odd in what is available for pain relief, colds, diarrhea, malaria, etc..
- a few bandaids
- a compact battery to rescue your phone in a pinch. Zendure makes good ones.
- if you are going well off-grid, a camping battery that will recharge a laptop. Jackery or Anker. (EDIT: Jackery got out of the small battery business, Anker makes a good, relatively light battery that will charge a 16" MacBook Pro to close to full)
- sunscreen
- bug repellent
- a laser pointer
- a few paperclips and safety pins, come in handy when you need them.
- a bottle opener. Nothing worse than having a beer but trying to open it the macho way and failing.

If budget permits, bring an iPad and portable keyboard - much easier for long plane rides than lugging out a full laptop, and it's something you can easily read books on in subpar hotel lighting.

https://berelax.com/products/travel-pillows/original-pure-6-colors/

I think I got it at a Be Relax store at an airport. Still works great!

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for Traveler’s Choice.

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I can’t sleep for shit on a plane. But I’ve invested in an inflatable seat cushion and an inflatable lumbar pillow to help with comfort. A good neck pillow might help too.

Also, getting old is not all sunshine and unicorns. (Being overweight probably doesn’t help either.)

Farpoint and Farview. They make a 40L and a 55L that will qualify as carry-ons. (They hedge on the 55L, but it should fit just fine.) The 55L comes with a daypack that can attach to the outside of the larger pack. The 40L has a couple extra pockets, including a laptop pocket.

They do not have wheels, but the straps can be zippered away so that the bag can be checked if necessary. I bought both when last year’s models were on sale. I’ve used the 40L. My son is currently in San Diego for work and took the 55L (and day pack), so I can get a more formal review of that one later if anyone wants it. He has a friend that travels a fair amount for work and uses the 40L as his main luggage.

I also had a colleague at work that one of each before she and her husband took a trip to New Zealand. They loved them for that trip. Her two kids are heading to London soon and will be taking them as well.

Obviously, you have to be okay strapping it to your back or carrying it with a side handle like an old suitcase. But so far they have proven very functional for a shorter, non-work trip for me.

Also, when not on sale, they are pricey. But they come with Osprey’s warranty.

WHEELZ WHEELZ WHEELZ

(seriously thanks, I'll check it out -- have not looked at that brand before. Also if I act now, they will throw in a free packing cube set. Packing cubes FTW)

They are a rubber or silicone piece that fits over the wheel edge. Your wheels run smoother and quieter and are protected from wear on rough surfaces.

You can see how the wheels are wider than many sets, and it makes a huge difference.
https://www.travelerchoice.com/products/archer-3-piece-spinner-set?currency=USD&var...

Hard shell, 4 spinning wheels that make the ladies go wild just like Wooderson's Chevelle.

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There's a Delsey 2-piece set and a Samsonite 2-piece. Actually I think there was an American Tourister multi-piece set too, but I seem to recall terrible reviews for that brand.

We had a traumatic Travelpro failure (probably the fault of baggage handlers, and overstuffing on our part). Waiting for it at the carousel, here comes our bag wrapped in duct tape with clothes hanging out of it. Obviously it exploded somewhere along the line, and they made a valiant effort to put it all back together, but it was a fairly new Travel Pro and I'm not sure we can go back.

The most important thing I learned with the 4-wheel luggage is that the width and quality of the wheels can make a significant difference in your rolling experience, and it compounds with use. I ended up buying a fairly inexpensive set from Costco a few years back, and singularly focused on wider and better wheels after a couple previous failed experiments. That was life-changing.

I'm always going old school 2-wheeler because sometimes I want to park my bag on a slope and I don't want it running away on its own. Yes I know that means carrying it down the aisle, but I'm a man.

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prior to getting the Away, will not go back. Very durable, no issues with the wheels, retractable handles, or zippers - areas where I had problems with previous baggage. My previous carry-on was a soft shell Eagle brand, two wheels which only allowed for pulling the bag. The Away has four wheels, and while this may sound silly and somewhat “duh”, but being able to push, pull, or spin the bag makes maneuvering through airport congestion so much easier.

Did you get the hardshell or soft? Also how has the durability been?

In 2019. Love them! I traveled extensively for work and Away is the best carry-on I’ve used. Easy to maneuver through airports, fits perfectly in the overhead bit, and simple features for packing.

We're on the hunt for a new roller bag that will go in the overheard, but interested in hearing about your other favorite pieces and accessories.