Many frequent flyers’ bags have been dirtied, ruined, or lost because they opted to check them, rather than carry them on to their plane. Putting your luggage into the airlines’ hands is risky.
Mitigate your risk. Go carry on only.
When you want to be sure that you will not have to check your bag, use a carry on backpack, rather of a piece of luggage. If your plane is filled, overhead bin space will fill up early, and travelers will be asked to gate check their luggage. People using wheeled luggage are generally told to check their luggage, while those carrying a rucksack or duffel are not.
The crucial thing when selecting a carry on backpack is its size. Each airline sets its own guidelines on the largest permissible size for carry on baggage. Most airlines permit backpacks up to 45 total inches (length + width + depth) or 22″ long, 14″ wide, and 9″ deep. To prevent delays at the airport, your bag must be no larger than this size. Before your flight, you should reference your airline’s website for their carry on baggage sizing and weight guidelines.
The allowable weight for carry-on luggage also differs by airline. When your are packing, use a luggage scale to weigh your backpack and make sure that you are within the limits set forth by your airline.
Checked bags are frequently damaged or lost by the airlines or their employees. Using a carry on leaves you less vulnerable to their negligence.
Even if you take your backpack on to the airplane, its straps can still tear when the pack is being inserted or removed from the overhead bin. The ideal carry on bags will permit you to tuck away or cover the bag’s straps. Choose a bag that allows you to care for its straps properly. Your pack should also feature a handgrip, like a briefcase, with which to hold the bag when the other straps are protected.
The largest possible hassle with carry on packs is bringing them through airport security. You should use a backpack designed to help you go through the security line as promptly and efficiently as you can.
Nearly all travelers use a 1-quart, plastic toiletry bag which must be removed from your main bag and put in a bin to be examined. Use a bag with big, exterior pockets, that can hold your toiletry bag, so that you can remove and replace it quickly.
Good carry on backpacks will also have fast-opening pockets to temporarily hold your boarding ticket, ID, and everything dumped out of your pants pockets when walking through security. These exterior pockets need to be easy to open if you’re wearing your bag, zip shut so that nothing dumps out, and be opaque so that no one can view what’s in there. These compartments should be on the waist belt of your carry on backpack.
Lastly, if you’ll be carrying your laptop, make sure to get a backpack with a laptop pouch. Laptops are required to be taken from your carry on luggage and placed in a plastic container to go through the x-ray machine. Make sure that your computer can quickly be removed from and replaced into your pack to prevent any hassles.
When buying a carry on pack, choose a backpack that is carry-on-sized and has both hideaway shoulder straps and external, dedicated pockets. If you buy the incorrect bag, you’ll be forced to entrust it to the airline, which is in no way a sound decision.
Need more convincing to choose a backpack? First, find out why backpacks always beat suitcases for travelers. Then learn what to look for in a carry on backpack.