Keep Calm and Carry Your Bag On

Tired of paying hefty fees for checking your bag? With airlines charging anywhere from $20-$50 for your first checked bag, many travelers have made the switch to a carry-on bag, even for longer trips. Plus you can head out of the airport as soon as you disembark the plane, rather than trudging down to baggage claim to wait for your luggage.

Irv’s Luggage has been giving expert advice to travelers for over 72 years. Read on:

• While 4 wheel spinner cases are popular and convenient, 2 wheel cases give you more interior packing space. With a 4 wheel spinner, in order for the case to meet the overall allowable carry on dimensions, the case has to be smaller to allow for the 4 wheels. Takeaway: buy a 2 wheel carry on, gain more interior packing space and save BIG on baggage fees AND time.
• Softside vs. Hardside? Softside every time, for added space and flexibility in packing plus the convenience of having outside pockets. Most softside cases we sell have USB ports for charging your phone – you don’t need a hardside case for that!
• Packing cubes and packing folders have revolutionized the way we pack.
  • Save a substantial amount of space by organizing your items and packing everything in a packing cube or folder.
  • Packing folders are perfect for larger items like pants, or folded shirts. The wings fold in for maximum compression.
  • Buy cubes with compression zippers that further compress your clothes saving additional space in your case.
  • Using Ziploc bags in your luggage? Invest in packing cubes made of durable material and quality zippers because they will last forever, they stack better in your luggage, your clothes will be less creased and they’re easier to access.
• Bringing really bulky items, like sweaters and jackets? Check out Compression Bags – different than compression packing cubes.
  • Compression Bags are made of durable plastic. You load your bag, seal the top (usually these have Ziploc tops), and then roll the bag squeezing out all the air. Using your body weight and rolling the bag on the floor will give you the best results.
• Bring interchangeable wardrobe items that give you multiple outfits.
  • Choose basic pieces that work together and reduce the overall quantity of what you bring while still having options to change up your outfits.
  • Wear your bulkiest shoes or boots on the plane and pack the smaller pair in your carry on.
• Invest in a compact toiletry kit with multiple pockets for keeping things organized.
  • Use TSA compliant bottles or buy travel sized toiletry items.

So many carry ons to choose from – how do you choose?? I’m going to break it down and give you my top 3 favorite bags.

1. Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry On: at 22”, this carry on is the largest size you can take on the plane, giving you the most amount of space. The features and overall design of this bag are second to none; hanging section and a flat roomy interior. This is our best selling carry on, hands down.
2. Travelpro Crew VersaPack Max Carryon: This New collection from Travelpro is expandable, has garment bag features so you can hang items if you choose, and offers various zip in organizers to make this versatile bag perfectly suited to the way you travel.
3. Eagle Creek Expanse Hauler Convertible Carry On: This amazingly versatile carry on is perfect for the traveler that is moving around a lot and needs to have a roomy, lightweight bag along for the ride. This carry on converts easily to a backpack, with padded backpacks straps. Tuck the backpacks straps in and use the padded shoulder strap. Grab handles all around the bag make it easy to grab & go. Insanely great pockets everywhere.

With hundreds of travel accessories to help make your trip easier, more comfortable and more efficient, Irv’s Luggage is your 1 stop travel shop.

Airline Baggage Regulations – Is Carry On Luggage the Way to Go?

The Thanksgiving holiday just passed and thousands of people will be heading to airports, to fly around the country after spending quality time with their families or friends. With all of the hustle and bustle of airports during this very busy season, many of you may wonder how you will manage to keep your sanity. With longer waits and more airlines putting restrictions on the items that passengers can travel with, you have to ask yourself – is it really worth it to fly?

The answer is YES! As you plan to visit your family or friends this holiday season, the last thing you want to worry about is whether all of your belongings will fit in spinner suitcases or carry on luggage or backpacks and are within the airline size requirement allowed. This is where Irv’s Luggage (and brand new legislation comes in!)

The recent announcement of a new bill, The Airline Passenger BASICS – or Basic Airline Standards to Improve Customer Satisfaction – Act will start to change the flying experience for many travelers. This act will protect consumers from excessive baggage fees at airports and charge airlines that do not comply with these proposed standards. This act will not only benefit consumers in the short term (more money in your pocket) but in the long term (more pleasant travel experiences) as well.

According to new legislation proposed by Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, “Many airlines consider checking a bag not to be a right, but a privilege – and one with a hefty fee attached. The Airline Passenger BASICS Act will guarantee passengers one checked bag without the financial burden of paying a fee, or the headache of trying to fit everything into a carry-on.”

Until this legislation is passed, as travelers you have to be aware of what luggage is available to you and how it will fare on your trip. Antler Luggage is a great European-based company that gives frequent travelers the ability to pack a lot in a compact space (and not have to worry about size restrictions); Delsey Luggage is not only lightweight luggage but comes in both hard sided and soft sided styles in a variety of colors; and Heys Luggage has something for the whole family from their Disney by Heys line for kids to their Crown Edition by Heys line for the frequent business traveler. Whether you are looking for luggage for long term travel or just a weekend getaway let Irv’s Luggage help you with all of your travel needs!

Best Luggage Deal for an International Carry On Bag

I do not know about you, but I love a great bargain!!!  So when I heard about this one I wanted to spread the word!!  Ricardo Essentials 17” Universal Wheeled Carry-On Bag in black is now on sale for $42.99 (MSRP: $100.00) a 57% Savings!!!!  If you are an international traveler, this is the perfect carry-on bag; as it meets all international airline size requirements. This is also a terrific piece of luggage for those weekend getaways and even includes a padded laptop compartment!

Some of the other great features of the Ricardo Essentials 17” Wheelaboard Carry-On include:

• Durable, water resistant polyester fabrication

• Deluxe interior features tie-tapes, elastic cord pocket, zippered see-through mesh pocket and padded sleeve for laptops or other fragile electronics

• Front gusseted pocket opens to full organizer panel with places for MP3 player, passport, cell phone, pens, keys and a lot more

• Sturdy pull handle system made from high grade steel provides reliability and lasting use

• Self-repairing zippers help keep your travels trouble free

• Quick Access document/ticket pocket

• In-line skate wheels are quiet and smooth rolling

• Elastic side pocket is perfect for clothing or essentials

• Adjustable tie-down straps let you keep your articles secure

• Padded laptop compartment fits many 17″ models

For the perfect piece of luggage to take anywhere check out Ricardo Beverly Hills Luggage and especially the Essentials 17” Universal Wheelaboard today and for many other great luggage bargains visit IrvsLuggage.com !