It’s no secret that luggage (including carry-on bags) takes a beating when being transported through airports and onto aircraft. From being dragged through rain, sun, snow and hail; to being tossed like a rag doll into the cargo hold of some lucky plane bound for the Caribbean; to being emptied of contents and then packed away in a dark closet until the next trip.
In my observations, I’ve come across a few main trains of thought when it comes to carry-on bags and suitcases. On one hand there are those who would prefer to spend money on expensive and sturdy luggage, with the intent that the piece will last longer because it is of a higher quality. On another hand, there are those who prefer to spend as little as possible because all bags are manhandled and will sustain damage, so it does not make sense overspending. And then there are some who are right in the middle of these two approaches where price and quality juggle for attention.
I’m in the latter group, however, sometimes I do worry about whether my carry-on bag is indeed fit enough to make it through the rigors of travel. On my last few trips (all of which were on Jet Blue) it crossed my mind that maybe the cheapest bag was not the best option. On some trips, in order to save on the checked bag fee, I have stuffed my carry-on bag to the limit. Clothing, shoes, beauty minis, food, electronics, vitamins and everything in between have shared the tiny space in my carry-on bag. And as a result, my bag has been left with a few tears on the inside, pulled strings on the outside, malfunctioned handles and wobbly wheels.
