This week Albert asks:

“When I am at the airport, I see all the FAs and pilots using what seems to be the same carry on. Does your airline provide these to you?”

“And more importantly… in a long trip, how do you manage to pack everything that you need and more in your carry on?” “How many days away from home is the longest scheduled trip?”

FP: It’s funny that you say that it looks as though we all have the same “carry on.” That is the running joke when a crew gets off a van and all the “black” luggage is lined up. Someone always says to the driver, “mines the black one!”

Luggage is considered part of our uniform and at my airline it has to be black. I would say most U.S. airline luggage is black. You would think that since it is a required “uniform” piece that it would be supplied. I can only speak for my airline but we have to buy our own replacements. We used to get a new suitcase and tote free every three years but we lost that in our last contract negotiations. I’m actually not sure if our pilots are supplied with theirs or not, I kind of doubt it. That being said, we used to receive our luggage from Travel Pro. I now buy mine from Ebags and am much happier.The Travel Pro suitcase is heavy before you even pack it and I’ve never had a smoother rolling bag than my Ebag brand roller board.

I’ve gotten pretty savvy at packing. Rolling your clothes really works. If I’m on a multiple day trip and especially if I have plans to see friends or sight see and therefore have “extra” clothing, I will roll my clothes and wrap with rubber bands. This lets me keep them real tight and I can fit more. It also cuts down on wrinkles….I hate to iron.

The longest (scheduled) trip at my airline is four days (three nights). I have seen five day trips but they’re rare and usually it’s a four day that gets in past midnight on the last day. I’m spoiled now and usually work two day trips, which for me is ideal. I still get the “treat” of a hotel room but I’m home the next day. One days, also known as “turns” feel too much like a “real” job to me: )

(If you like the “vintage” airline bag in the post pic, check out the ebay store I found it at: Klaytonseye04Collectibles)