:hmm:

Whatever the bag, although nothing beats the Jeppesen four binder in black leather, it must be clean and in reasonable condition. All that an old bag does is to reflect upon the carrier's filth tolerance level and/or his impecuniosity. Above all, no silly stickers please, unless you have to plaster your valise with pictures of 757s or whatever in order to aid you in remembering what you might be flying or would like to fly once you have progressed from the blue fluff on the car dashboard stage.
Furthermore and yet again, there seems to be a certain trend, quite noticeable among captains of amateur intellect, to wear gold bars that are well soiled, even grimy in appearance, as though this indicates vast experience of the left hand seat. Epaulettes should be just off brilliant and two pairs, alternated, will soon achieve this professional and devil may care aspect of sartorial elegance.:cool:

My Company has had 8 pilots have major back-ops in the last 18 years. Nothing wrong with the ergonomics of the a/c (146) IMHO, so reckon it's the heaving of a flight bag and a week-away bag into on-board stowages and physically across your seat and back again (especially) that did for them. All awkward lifts, so keep it light, and be very careful!

I used to have the greta big leather bag, but after a few years the stitching started to go - more due to the weight of the bag than anything else.
I now use a marine 'navigators bag' from Transmarine. Much lighter and lots of nifty pockets.

Replacement £19.99 Argos flight bag doing just fine after 3 weeks. Evo-stik a name tag on (to pick it out from all the others) and stride boldly towards the horizon with chest out.

Dakine Heli Pro in plain black :ok:

I don't care how much pricey hand stitched quality goes into your traditional pilot case, at the end of the day it's still a big black heavy leather box with one big poxy handle that cuts off the circulation to your fingers when you have to walk half a mile from the car park to the crew room carrying the damn thing.

It may indeed be smart looking and traditional ... but then again so is a leather flying helmet and goggles. (Although DB6 would make those compulsory as well given half a chance!). The world has moved on in the meantime you know, they have discovered this thing called 'ergonomics'.

How about a kreiga back pack. It even has some high viz panels for the hi viz nazis prowling around the airfields.

I have had this Victorinox for the past 4 years.
It's the most practical, strongest, handiest,most versatile and smoothest rolling bag I have ever owned. (and I've had a few :rolleyes: )

Its construction means that its centre of gravity pulls the handle up rather than weighing your hand down. It is so smartly organised inside that you always know where everything is, and all your stuff is easily accessible.
Apart from 2 front compartments and 2 clever small ones at the back, it has an expandable compartment for the laptop and all the paperwork/books, plus a large compartment big enough for a tax-free botttle plus toiletbag and whatever other bulky stuff you tend to carry.

I have had the local cobblers sow on a company logo (from a hat) and am forever getting questions from colleagues (both cockpit and cabin) about where to buy one like it.

It's one of the best things I have ever bought.

Errmm.... can you tell that I really really like it? ;)