Qantas Cabin Bags

[Skyring]

A bag for under the seat

My first post in this forum, so G'day everybody.

I'm in the market for a new bag and I'm keen for recommendations.

I've taken a backpack on all my recent trips (Washington, Dunedin, RTW, Brisbane) and it's worked well, but in Brisbane I noticed that as I got off the train at the airport the Bluetooth headset for my new phone was lying on the carriage floor and I found a small hole in the backpack. Not good.

I'm a window flyer and I like having carryon that I can stick under the seat in front so everything is accessible during a long night flight.

I need laptop storage, a mesh outside pocket for a water bottle, lots of pockets so that I can stow small items rather than have them make an unholy tangle. A big compartment so I can put a pullover in.

I don't have to live out of it for more than a day or so (assuming that my checked luggage gets delayed), but there's a lot that I need to stick in - camera, mobile phone, dongles and accessories, toiletries and tablets, paperwork, pens, maps...

I'm looking at comfort, convenience and durability rather than style. Let's face it, I wear cargo pants for air travel. I have been looking at the Targus range and they seem pretty good, but advice from experienced travellers is worth more than any salesman's spiel.

 

[varyingtravel]

Hi Peter
I have had the Targus Sports Backpack model CZ1002 for about 12 months now. We only had 2 to choose from as it was employer supplied but it has been fantastic. It has numerous pockets and enough room to stuff a jumper in and still fit under the seat in front. My shoulders and back have thanked me every day since I received it. I use it on a daily basis to carry my laptop to and from work.
It fits the requirements you have. But I would certainly shop around. I have 2 dislikes of it - 1. the wrap over top which hides 2 of the front pockets. 2. the very front pocket only has side zippers and no top zipper so is not completely secure. Suffice to say I do not put anything of any value in there.
Considering I didn't pay for it, it's wonderful and practical. Happy hunting!

 

[gregor]

Thanks to everyones commentary - I bit the bullet and bought the leather FF cabin bag and my only regret is that I waited as long as I did. I ended up taking my mum into the Perth QC on a guest pass that I hadn't used (she was flying back to Melbourne and had a couple of hours to wait). Any-hoo I checked out the display bag there and it sealed it for me.'

The bag is roomy, plenty of space for my laptop all perifs plus files and papers. It is all class and I will be using it as my work briefcase as well (now my boss wants one ).

Cheers

 

[Groundfeeder]

Greetings from another newbie.

I've dragged a material Qantas bag around on my flights and find they're splendid for carrying laptop/files etc but occasionally the Qantas people blanch at my 17kg load destined for hand carrying on a Crash-8. Handle is still intact. Something about 4kg limit even for a QC member and they had the gall to put a HEAVY tag on it, despite my fellow travellers taking surfboards, bassdrums and overweight children - exaggeration now stopped.

I've found it quite distressing to see hardshell wheelies being stuffed into overhead lockers with my bag distorting accordingly with every push. However they seem a very durable product and I might even upgrade to a leather version, but I hate having to polish it.....

Cheers

 

[BlacKnox]

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.

NM can you post the link longhand so I can cut and paste. Unfortunately I keep on being directed to the NH Tumi site :evil: .

 

[thadocta]

I bought the leather one, back when it was for Platinums only (have never been a platinum, they ask for your status when ordering, and you just have to fabricate the truth a bit and the order will go through).

Best thing I ever did, it is sturdy and durable, and takes no end of abuse.

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

I am thinking that I might just go ahead and get me the Qantas Leather one. Will probably get a Tumi one a bit later - choice of bag depending on travel requirements is a good thing!

 

[browski]

My 2 cents: Just purchased the Victorinox Cabin Bag. See here: http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Product.htm?category=businessgearwheeled&product=30231&

Very, Very happy with product and price.

Will update thoughts after a half a dozen trips or so.

 

[shillard]

I purchased the leather QF Plat bag, and have subjected it an obscene amount of hardship on several continents. It's been dragged around this country thousands of times, made more return trips Newcastle-Sydney by air, road and rail than most people could dream of in their lifetimes, and even been used as an improvised weapon to ward off a few beggars on the streets of Sydney and Brisbane.

Well, OK, I just belt them sometimes out of spite.


Still going strong, although the little "Qantas" metallic tag on one side came off after about a year, thanks to the tight overhead lockers on CRASH-8s.

Now I've finally landed a role where I don't have to cover my neck to do business, I'm going for something more relaxed. Probably a Targus backpack - the search is underway at the moment.

I could use my Woodland Pattern Hydrastorm Tsunami pack, but that might raise a few eyebrows at meetings - and it lacks a proper padded laptop compartment.

Rollaboards cough me, so I won't be going down that path. A backpack that will take a laptop + cables, a few manialla folders of documents, a novel, couple of magazines, 1L water bottle and some room to spare will do nicely.

 

[albatross710]

Laptop screening

Recently I got ownership of a Samsonite travel bag from Myer. Has room for overnight clothes, books and laptop.

One feature I really like is the removable bag into which the notebook goes. When going through airport security it is easy to whip out the notebook sleeve style bag and slide it through the scanner.

I also use this separate notebook bag to carry the notebook to meetings when away.

 

[icarus]

My 2 cents: Just purchased the Victorinox Cabin Bag. See here: http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Product.htm?category=businessgearwheeled&product=30231&

Ooo, that looks *really* good.

Will update thoughts after a half a dozen trips or so.

Will await those thoughts with interest!

 

[NM]

A backpack that will take a laptop + cables, a few manialla folders of documents, a novel, couple of magazines, 1L water bottle and some room to spare will do nicely.

I didn't think you were allowed to carry ammunition in your carry-on luggage??

 

[serfty]

... A backpack that will take a laptop + cables, a few manialla folders of documents, a novel, couple of magazines, 1L water bottle and some room to spare will do nicely.

Backpacks are fine as long as the user is licenced to drive them!

Dunno how many times I've been whacked on the scone by one while seated. :evil:

This normally happens when the standing wearer pivots on the spot, resulting in kilograms of backpack & content swinging around, smashing into anything nearby; a fact which the owner is generally oblivious too.

 

[BlacKnox]

NM was kind enough to PM the longhand link. If it helps anyone else, here it is:

http://www.tumi.com/business_laptop...insert/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=57432

 

[NM]

NM was kind enough to PM the longhand link. If it helps anyone else, here it is:

http://www.tumi.com/business_laptop...insert/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=57432

So I take it that this link worked for you then?

 

[BlacKnox]

So I take it that this link worked for you then?

Direct link still didn't work, though when I saw it longhand I was able to cut and paste in google and find the case on a non-tumi site. Same result if I had put my mouse on your link and hand-wrote it longhand, though I didn't think of that till now . Nice Bag.

 

[QF WP]

Well, use this shortened version of the link NM sent you

 

[Skyring]

There's what seems to be a leather Qantas bag on eBay. No bids, starts at $AUS50.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Leather-Q...581982149QQcategoryZ11236QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Item number: 6581982149

Could be a bargain if it stays that low.

I just bought a Targus backpack on ebay for $AUS25. There seems to be a few being pushed through. Looks good as a replacement for my aging backpack, with excellent laptop protection, good strong construction, exterior pockets for mobile phone, water bottle. Plenty of compartments inside for all those bloody dongles and cords. http://cgi.ebay.com/Targus-sports-l...822811507QQcategoryZ31520QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem