Brenda is a guest blogger for V3.  She has been working as a US based flight attendant for over 35 years.  She regularly travels both nationally and internationally.

How do I get my stuff from Point A to Point B?  Luggage is the one of the most important aspects of the journey, and in today’s world the Carry-On Bag is King.  There are many well-known reasons to use a carry-on instead of a checked bag, but above all else, a carry-on bag gives you control.  That’s a nice feeling. We are not in control of many things at the airport, and by carrying your bag you guarantee that, no matter what happens, you are going to have a change of clothes, medications, and various other amenities with you to be comfortable.

The approved size for a carry-on bag for most airlines is 22 x 14 x 9. There is a backpacking option here, and it certainly seems to be a great option if you are so inclined (there is a definite reason that military men and women travel with a backpack). However, I find the best option for most travelers is the roll-aboard bag and I will share with you what to look for in one.

As for the bag itself, I have found ones made of ballistic nylon or cordura to be light weight, resistant to tears and abrasion, and I have not had any trouble with items getting wet.  Also, when you shop, you want to find big heavy duty zippers. I have had the pulls come off the zipper, but I have never had a zipper break.

More than anything else though, the problems that I have witnessed have been with wheels that don’t turn for whatever reason and broken handles.

WHEELS: I have only used the 2-wheel bags, but there is a growing following for the 4-wheel spinner bags. It is a personal choice. What is important is that the wheels are large and roll easily.  In case you do have a problem with your wheels, check their housing for a blockage (such as a cigarette).

HANDLES: The best type of handle for traveling is a telescoping handle, one that expands so the bag can be rolled easily and retracts for packing away. When you are shopping, take extra time to make sure it doesn’t wiggle.  In addition to being a nuisance, excessive wiggling can lead to a bent handle (and bent handles are stressful).

- I really like 3 handles on my bag.  The first two are obvious.  The third is on the bottom and is great for pulling your bag out of the overhead compartment.

Problems with wheels or handles will ruin your day, and that warranty does not do you any good when you are out on the road, so you want to be sure that this is what you look at when you are shopping.

Many bags offer extra features that are nice additions for traveling. The best of these are as follows:

• A TSA approved lock is a bonus.
• An expandable feature that allows you to unzip an extra 2 or 3 inches of depth to your bag.  Extra note – If you stuff the outer pockets of your bag or use the expansion feature, your bag will no longer fit into the dimensions required for on board use. You will need to check your bag. You already have your TSA lock and now you don’t have to worry about the liquids and gels.
• I love the detachable bag strap or hook that allows you to pull 2 bags with ease.
• Front zipper pockets for easy access are a great bonus.
• A way to separate your shoes from your clothes
• A waterproof bag (as I mentioned before I found good luck with ballistic nylon and cordura)
• A removable suit carrier is now an added feature for many bags and is best when it not only connects to a suitcase, but also has a hanger for the hotel closet.

-Brenda the Flight Attendant