Please Help Me with Suggestions to Avoid Airlines Wrecking Suitcases

LBargain Blesser on 11/08/2022 - 19:02
Last edited 12/08/2022 - 11:01 by 1 other user

Hello folks, just returned from overseas, one of our cases followed a day later, thanks national carrier, and of course, wheel was just about torn off and corner stuffed.

Not the first in the last few years, hardshel seems more like a challenge than a title. Now I realise that they have contracted out to the lowest bidder, despite court rulings, and that this situation will not be improving, look up you tube for plentiful examples.

My question is, do we now go with soft sided dufflebags…easier to throw but less likely to smash, (on the outside). Or go with the proverbial backpack. Any suggestions would be helpful, hardshell suitcases days are numbered if the airlines have their way…pay peanuts…get monkeys. Especially if their monkeys are used to wearing suits for the rest of the time they’re employed, Mr Joyce, I didn’t think all Irish jokes were true.

Thanks for any and all suggestions…I hope.

Travel Luggage Suitcase

Comments

  • bobkin on 11/08/2022 - 19:09
    +1

    Osprey luggage is very durable and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Look out for specials.

  • thatonethere on 11/08/2022 - 19:11

    You can do that plastic wrap.

    But assume your luggage is gonna cop a beating

    • Bargain Blesser on 12/08/2022 - 11:00

      Unfortunately plastic wrap doesn’t protect the wheels…maybe just do like our subcontinent travellers do and just use cardboard boxes wrapped in plastic, they might just have the solution there.

  • El cheepo on 11/08/2022 - 19:12

    Considering what a suitcase goes through it’s not surprising even with the best of airlines.
    It goes through so many machines, conveyors and baggage handlers hands, then is squeezed and stacked into a plane’s storage compartment.

    Its fairly likely that your bags will cop a hit every now and then. Hardcase is probably safest for protection but more likely to get damaged when hit.
    Soft case will take the hits better but risk damaging the contents.

    If your feeling fancy though…

    https://www.samsonite.com.au/

    make some decent bags.

  • brokenglish on 11/08/2022 - 19:38
    +1

    ^ Even my Samsonite couldn’t handle rough handling. One wheel broke. Lucky it was still under warranty.
    YMMV.
    My next suitcase would still be a Samsonite or an American Tourister.

  • Kranbone on 11/08/2022 - 19:38
    +2

    I bought a suitcase from Kmart of all places some time back. It was incredibly cheap and had something damaged it I wouldn't be too fussed.

    Oddly enough it has outlasted much more expensive cases from family and other travel companions. I bought it pre-Covid, so unsure if the same models are still sold or available.

    My annoyance is both dealing with the airline, and if you have a fancy brand, dealing with Delsey, Samsonite, etc.

    • FoxJump on 11/08/2022 - 23:27
      +1

      my wife seconds the kmart indestructible suitcases. Vs my american tourister softie that had a hole made due to abrasion with something and my tripod inside ; or my other american tourister … whose handles dried up over 2years and snapped.

  • try2bhelpful on 11/08/2022 - 19:44

    We use travel packs because they are easiest to use with uneven roads and going up stairs. A travel pack let’s you zip in the harness so you don’t have issues with it tangling in the luggage sorter machinery. You just need to make sure you don’t overpack as they can burst. They, also, might be less secure from people slashing through the material. Weirdly, even when the man was platinum membership, our bags seem to be the last on the carousel.

  • Halo375 on 11/08/2022 - 19:46

    Pack lighter and go carry on only.

    • rambutann on 11/08/2022 - 19:59

      I came here to say this haha

      I'm going to Thailand tomorrow - only taking carry on. Only going for a week, but even if I was going for a month i'd only take carry on in the current environment of luggage chaos.

      • Bargain Blesser on 11/08/2022 - 20:39
        +2

        Congrats, that’s where we came back from, no probs with Bangkok, samui or Phuket, problem came with Syd Bris leg on return:(. As for carry on only, I’m over sixty and. Married. Carry on only for five weeks NOT gunna happen.

        • Nicoletta on 12/08/2022 - 09:49
          +1

          Carry-on only is possible regardless of age and marital status! :) Definitely worth trying to do in the current travel climate.

          • Bargain Blesser on 12/08/2022 - 11:10

            @Nicoletta: I agree, but between shoes, toiletries and the essentials, tea and teapot (must haves, yes we are fussy tea drinkers, not to mention large supply of chocolates,) carry on is only a dream for a few days..not weeks. Though I have discovered metal teapot survives in hardshell much better than glass, lesson learned hard way. We even carry our own cups as thimbles supplied at hotels not our choice. 1st world problems, but we pay to travel, I’d just like to not have to replace bag every second trip or so

        • WT on 12/08/2022 - 10:09
          +1

          for 5 weeks you could do carry on but will need to wash at least once a week

          Just depends if you could be bothered or not

          • johninmelb on 12/08/2022 - 19:04

            @WT: Scubba wash bag is a life saver.

      • shadowangel on 19/08/2022 - 16:47

        Cheaper to just buy here in Thailand anyway. 7-10kg carry on is heaps .
        Colder climates however you need heavier clothing.

  • FLICKIT on 11/08/2022 - 20:20
    +3

    IMO the current style of 4-wheeled suitcases really aren't suited to rough handling, having 4 wheels hanging out off the end is asking for trouble, the older style 2-wheeled suitcases were much sturdier I think…

    Around 2014 I bought a Qantas branded 2-wheeled semi-hard case which was cheap on clearance, I've done many international trips with it, it looks like it's been to hell and back but it's still functional and all in one piece… The 2 wheels are like roller blade wheels and they're not on the corners, they're tucked back from the edge a bit so they don't get beaten around on the conveyor belts or when thrown around by baggage handlers…

    I was trying to find a photo of them but being a bit old now I had no luck, and I cant take photos of my own case because I lent it to a relative, lol… but anyway, it has wheels similar to these Samsonite bags/cases, my wheels are maybe a little smaller diameter though:
    https://img.evertourist.com/R1KYt9u/600x900/38C8V7D4E0C0B1T5…
    https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/810LwCJm4uL.AC_SL1500.jp…

    I've flown with a large hiking backpack also, I think I prefer that over a suitcase these days but you really need to buy a proper cover for them so the straps and such are all contained:
    https://www.osprey.com/au/en/product/aircover-large-AIRCOVER…

    (coming from Hobart we dont have plastic wrapping down here)

    • kiitos on 12/08/2022 - 07:36

      Sounds like the High Sierra rolling duffle bags we use, that have been great.

    • WT on 12/08/2022 - 10:11
      +1

      4 wheels usually castors are completely exterior of the bag being more exposed

      2 weeks usually part of it is inside the bag so less chance of it getting hit

  • iamherenow on 11/08/2022 - 20:41
    +2

    If you don't have wheels, they won't break off.

    Sometimes I shock myself when I realise the depth of my insights.

  • Benoffie on 11/08/2022 - 20:46

    Even the best luggage will take a beating. Look for encased handles and wheels to prevent sheer.

    I have a Lojel Rando set but also still travel with a duffel.

  • elgrande on 11/08/2022 - 21:04

    I an an expert at packing under the Jetstar starter 7kg carry on limit. PM me for tips.

  • AustriaBargain on 11/08/2022 - 21:06

    When I was young I just used a very chip and flimsy suitcase from like Reject Shop or similar store when flying overseas. Looking back it was very foolish, the thing could have easily split open, spilling my crap everywhere. And it was full of crap, I remember I was well over the weight limit but I just gave them the puppy dog eyes and they didn't charge me.

  • Mechz on 11/08/2022 - 22:15
    +1

    Can always put breakables inside smaller hard shell cases to go inside the soft full size suitcase if you're having really bad luck with breakages.

    I've managed 7 years out of a cheap 3 piece set from Amazon before VivaAerobus cracked a corner open on the big case.

  • nedski on 11/08/2022 - 23:15
    +1

    The wise words I got from an old man about 20 years ago said "Buy a suitcase that you are happy with lasting only one trip"

  • jhlook on 12/08/2022 - 08:38
    +1

    Did you claim for damage with the airline? In the past I have done this, they asked the cost of the item and provided a place to use that voucher. The claim had to be made at the airport so it was a special trip to the airport as I didn’t notice till I got home

    • GG57 on 12/08/2022 - 09:14

      I second this; have claimed a few times over the years. From memory I claimed online after the event.

    • Bargain Blesser on 12/08/2022 - 10:55

      As the bag wasn’t delivered to my place some 40 hours after landing, that would’ve been hard to do, I’m not after compensation, I’m writing it off to travel costs, my main concern was how to avoid it again, this being third time over five years Qantas has struck. Those bloody wheels are just too tempting a target. I see that people using backpacks say take the straps off, or the airlines will rip them off, is that really the case? I may have to look into Michelin man clothing and carry on after all:(

  • hueylewis on 12/08/2022 - 09:46
    +2

    and dont buy ones with zips. they can be opened with a pen. buy the ones with lockable latches instead of zips.

  • Bargain Blesser on 12/08/2022 - 10:57
    +1

    I’m starting to see the value of the sea chests they used on the titanic

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