Business Travel Appropriate Carry On

[MrsE]

I know this gets posted frequently, but I can't seem to find any recent posts that meet my needs.

I was informed today that my first business trip for my new job (I've been here 6 months now! Time flies!) will be next month. I will be taking an overnight trip with my boss and two executives.

My current carry on is a bit weathered and simply just not appropriate for a business trip. I would love to buy the Lo & Sons OMG or OG bag, and considered it for personal travel, but would rather buy something I could also use for business travel too.

Unfortunately, my work laptop is slightly over14 inches long - and too big for the OMG or OG bags. Does anyone have a similarly styled recommendation for a carry on bag? Or recommendations for a laptop bag with sleeve and carry on luggage?

FWIW, I will need to pack the following:

Suit
Shell
Heels
Pajamas
Change of under garments
Toiletries and makeup
Laptop
Notebook/file

And if I have room I would REALLY like to pack a pair of gym clothes and shoes.

ETA: if I forgo my purse, it would also need to fit my wallet, keys, sunglasses, phone, and chargers.

[Susie]

Mar 31, 2015 16:10:44 GMT -5 MrsE said:

Unfortunately, my work laptop is slightly over14 inches long - and too big for the OMG or OG bags. Does anyone have a similarly styled recommendation for a carry on bag? Or recommendations for a laptop bag with sleeve and carry on luggage?

I carry my 15" Macbook Pro in a Lo & Sons Brookline.  For travel, depending on how long I am going for, I either have a Samsonite spinner carryon, or an expandable Le Pliage bag:  shop.nordstrom.com/s/longchamp-le-pliage-expandable-travel-bag-21-inch/2980320  

[orval]

I got this one www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Luggage-Hyperspace-Spinner-Boarding/dp/B00EALIOBW/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1427836814&sr=8-13&keywords=samsonite+carry+on+spinner
for my husband for one or two night trips. It is small but holds a lot of stuff. I even used it for me and my son for a weekend trip and fit both our items in it. It also fits perfectly overhead.

[msmerymac]

If Lo and Sons is in your budget, have you looked at Tumi?

I can't speak to the size of their travel bags, but I have a purse/computer bag from them that is amazing. Looks brand new at 1 year old, which is no small feat, since my computer is pretty heavy, comparatively.

Another alternative might be to get an everyday purse/computer bag (I have this one in a different color) and then just get a small wheelie or carry-on bag to use for clothes. That also gives you something to take into the office/events when you travel, but you can leave your "luggage" in the hotel, if that's a concern. You are allowed one personal item and one suitcase as carry-on luggage. Sure, it's 2 items to keep track of instead of one, but it's more functional once you're on the ground. I put my bag in the overhead and keep the computer/purse under my seat with all my purse-type stuff (sunglasses, wallet, keys, makeup, kindle, phone, computer, charger, files, pen, snacks, umbrella). 

[MrsE]

Susie- I looked at the Brookline and apparently it's sold out and has a wait list!

Any insight into how long their wait lists usually take?

Thanks for the recs!

[MrsE]

Mar 31, 2015 16:22:02 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

If Lo and Sons is in your budget, have you looked at Tumi?

I can't speak to the size of their travel bags, but I have a purse/computer bag from them that is amazing. Looks brand new at 1 year old, which is no small feat, since my computer is pretty heavy, comparatively.

Another alternative might be to get an everyday purse/computer bag (I have this one in a different color) and then just get a small wheelie or carry-on bag to use for clothes. That also gives you something to take into the office/events when you travel, but you can leave your "luggage" in the hotel, if that's a concern. You are allowed one personal item and one suitcase as carry-on luggage. Sure, it's 2 items to keep track of instead of one, but it's more functional once you're on the ground. I put my bag in the overhead and keep the computer/purse under my seat with all my purse-type stuff (sunglasses, wallet, keys, makeup, kindle, phone, computer, charger, files, pen, snacks, umbrella). 

I think you are reading my mind! I would really like either a structured over the shoulder bag that could fit everything or an every day laptop bag that could slide over the handle of a small spinner luggage. Then I would keep the luggage either in the hotel or car and just carry the laptop bag for meetings. My current laptop bag does not have a slit that would allow the later option.

Thanks so much! I'll look into Tumi.

[msmerymac]

Definitely check for sales with Tumi. I got my computer for something like 70% off at one point. Spring might not be a great time for that, though.

[compassrose]

What about a bag like this with a separate laptop bag?

www.brookstone.com/vienna-44-traditional-rolling-garment-bag?bkiid=SubCategory_Travel_Luggage_Garment_Bags|SubCategoryWidget|828879p&catId=L3_GarmentBags|L2_Luggage|L1_Travel

[Susie]

Mar 31, 2015 16:24:38 GMT -5 MrsE said:

Susie- I looked at the Brookline and apparently it's sold out and has a wait list!

Any insight into how long their wait lists usually take?

Thanks for the recs!

Oh that sucks!  Sorry I don't know; I got mine a year or two ago and it was available then, I think in black & navy.  (Mine is black.)

[v]

I have this small Travelpro spinner suitcase: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HXD64MA/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (It was more MM for me -- $87.99)

It is small enough to comply with stupid United's stupid new carryon policies.

I use it with a Lo & Sons Brookline laptop bag for business travel. (I bought mine just a few months ago and there was no waitlist, so I wouldn't fret about that).

I think a OMG or OG would be nice enough looking for work travel, but no way would they fit all the stuff you want to bring. (I have an OMG and I don't think I could pack for a casual overnight in it -- it isn't that big). To do that without having everything turn into a mess, I think you'd want a suitcase.

[compassrose]

Mar 31, 2015 17:44:05 GMT -5 v said:

I have this small Travelpro spinner suitcase: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HXD64MA/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (It was more MM for me -- $87.99)

It is small enough to comply with stupid United's stupid new carryon policies.

I use it with a Lo & Sons Brookline laptop bag for business travel. (I bought mine just a few months ago and there was no waitlist, so I wouldn't fret about that).

I think a OMG or OG would be nice enough looking for work travel, but no way would they fit all the stuff you want to bring. (I have an OMG and I don't think I could pack for a casual overnight in it -- it isn't that big). To do that without having everything turn into a mess, I think you'd want a suitcase.

Wait, what new stupid policy?  I used my regular bag coming back from China last week, but it was international...

[iheartbanjos]

My industry (medical device sales) has moved largely to laptop backpacks with our company logo on them. We all also use them for air travel, but that could look weird if not everyone had them.

As for carry on luggage, I love my soft side Tumi. It doesn't have the reinforced corners, so it can fit in any overhead bin. I got it at Nordstrom Rack, so not as pricey as you would think.

[v]

Mar 31, 2015 17:47:23 GMT -5 compassrose said:

Mar 31, 2015 17:44:05 GMT -5 v said:

I have this small Travelpro spinner suitcase: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HXD64MA/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (It was more MM for me -- $87.99)

It is small enough to comply with stupid United's stupid new carryon policies.

I use it with a Lo & Sons Brookline laptop bag for business travel. (I bought mine just a few months ago and there was no waitlist, so I wouldn't fret about that).

I think a OMG or OG would be nice enough looking for work travel, but no way would they fit all the stuff you want to bring. (I have an OMG and I don't think I could pack for a casual overnight in it -- it isn't that big). To do that without having everything turn into a mess, I think you'd want a suitcase.

Wait, what new stupid policy?  I used my regular bag coming back from China last week, but it was international...

It isn't *that* new but last year they changed their limits from to no dimension over 22 inches/overall dimensions no more than 45 inches (under which my pretty new Samsonite bag that was 8 x 15 x20.5) was fine to no larger than 9 x 14 x 22 inches.  Since I (unfortunately) will be flying United a lot going forward, that meant I needed a new bag that was 1 inch smaller in that one direction.

[v]

Mar 31, 2015 17:54:49 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

My industry (medical device sales) has moved largely to laptop backpacks with our company logo on them. We all also use them for air travel, but that could look weird if not everyone had them.

I'd argue that it looks weirder if you all have them 

[iheartbanjos]

Mar 31, 2015 17:56:35 GMT -5 v said:

Mar 31, 2015 17:54:49 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

My industry (medical device sales) has moved largely to laptop backpacks with our company logo on them. We all also use them for air travel, but that could look weird if not everyone had them.

I'd argue that it looks weirder if you all have them 

I can easily spot my competition...and they can spot me, lol.

[compassrose]

Mar 31, 2015 17:55:35 GMT -5 v said:

Mar 31, 2015 17:47:23 GMT -5 compassrose said:

Wait, what new stupid policy?  I used my regular bag coming back from China last week, but it was international...

It isn't *that* new but last year they changed their limits from to no dimension over 22 inches/overall dimensions no more than 45 inches (under which my pretty new Samsonite bag that was 8 x 15 x20.5) was fine to no larger than 9 x 14 x 22 inches.  Since I (unfortunately) will be flying United a lot going forward, that meant I needed a new bag that was 1 inch smaller in that one direction.

Harrumph...mine is 9.6 x 14 x 22.  I hope they don't give me a hard time.  

[MrsE]

Mar 31, 2015 17:44:05 GMT -5 v said:

I have this small Travelpro spinner suitcase: smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HXD64MA/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (It was more MM for me -- $87.99)

It is small enough to comply with stupid United's stupid new carryon policies.

I use it with a Lo & Sons Brookline laptop bag for business travel. (I bought mine just a few months ago and there was no waitlist, so I wouldn't fret about that).

I think a OMG or OG would be nice enough looking for work travel, but no way would they fit all the stuff you want to bring. (I have an OMG and I don't think I could pack for a casual overnight in it -- it isn't that big). To do that without having everything turn into a mess, I think you'd want a suitcase.

Thank you! Good call on finding a carry on that works with the new regulations. DH frequently flies United for his business travel and we usually try to fly at least one personal trip on his miles every year. This could work!

[FrozenSunshine]

H and I swear by Tumi. I have a large leather shoulder bag with a sleeve and use it as my purse on trips. He has a typical black laptop bag. We have 2 carry-on suitcases we use, one has a built in garment bag, one does not. Even my leather purse has a strap in the back to put over the handle of my roller bag.

[scout8]

Mar 31, 2015 18:13:46 GMT -5 compassrose said:

Mar 31, 2015 17:55:35 GMT -5 v said:

It isn't *that* new but last year they changed their limits from to no dimension over 22 inches/overall dimensions no more than 45 inches (under which my pretty new Samsonite bag that was 8 x 15 x20.5) was fine to no larger than 9 x 14 x 22 inches.  Since I (unfortunately) will be flying United a lot going forward, that meant I needed a new bag that was 1 inch smaller in that one direction.

Harrumph...mine is 9.6 x 14 x 22.  I hope they don't give me a hard time.  

I read that the bag checker things (sorry-don't know what they are called, but that frame you drop your suitcase in to make sure it meets the rules) are an inch bigger than the limits all around. So, I would think you would still be ok. 

[v]

Mar 31, 2015 22:17:25 GMT -5 scout8 said:

Mar 31, 2015 18:13:46 GMT -5 compassrose said:

Harrumph...mine is 9.6 x 14 x 22.  I hope they don't give me a hard time.  

I read that the bag checker things (sorry-don't know what they are called, but that frame you drop your suitcase in to make sure it meets the rules) are an inch bigger than the limits all around. So, I would think you would still be ok. 

I should also add -- my old bag got gate checked by Iberia for being ever so slightly too big.  So it makes sense to go a bit smaller if you fly European carriers too.

[y4m]

I have a Ricardo Beverly Hills spinner that I love, and my regular week-long trip roll aboard is a travel pro--both great brands. Both of mine have suiter sections designed to hold a suit neatly (the Travelpro does better because the compartment is bigger, but both work) Personally I hate the wide folded garment bag type rollers--they don't roll down aisles and then run into my legs when I walk. But your mileage may vary.

[magdala]

shop.hartmann.com/travel/hartmann-intensity-belting-global-carry-on-spinner/620331041.html

I have an older version of this in tweed without the spinner function. Mine is 15 years old and it has lasted. Prior to the last year, I travelled 36 weeks a year (usually by airplane) so it has gotten some hard usage. I usually have a separate bag for my laptop. Its an older version of this in tweed: shop.hartmann.com/travel/carry-ons/hartmann-wings-belting-weekender/56629XXXX.html#start=2 I put my wallet and key items with the laptop into this should carry on and pack my empty tote in the larger suitcase.

[compassrose]

Mar 31, 2015 22:17:25 GMT -5 scout8 said:

Mar 31, 2015 18:13:46 GMT -5 compassrose said:

Harrumph...mine is 9.6 x 14 x 22.  I hope they don't give me a hard time.  

I read that the bag checker things (sorry-don't know what they are called, but that frame you drop your suitcase in to make sure it meets the rules) are an inch bigger than the limits all around. So, I would think you would still be ok. 

Well, mine fit in the American/Iberia one, so I guess I'm good.