A good piece of luggage is like a fine wine as it gets better with age. The scuffs and dings that you encounter along your journey allow your luggage sidekick to tell an intricate story through cosmetic imperfections, as unique and interesting as the one who carries the bag. Like that time I had to run, and I mean RUN from Terminal D to Terminal A at ATL to make my connection and my carryon bag got caught upside down on the escalator while I had to push through the "standers." Those little scratches on the bag are a reminder of the glory that was won that day when I arrived for my flight just in time. Right after my seat had been awarded to another person. Move over, bacon.
On the other hand, newer luggage also has a certain charm and gives off the effect of the polished and sophisticated professional who usually sits up front and swirls his Martini while calling his significant other "Muffins" sounding somewhat like Thurston Howell, III. You've probably seen him on your flight a few times. Dark suit, white shirt, no tie, Tumi luggage, Bose headphones. If that hits a little too close to home then maybe you should reassess your look, or as we used to say back in high school, "check yourself, before you wreck yourself."
My luggage is important to me but I also want it to send a message to those around me that not only do I take good care of my things by transporting them in a solid and secure container, I also like to look stylish while doing so. I'm not from the camp that believes that your entire luggage should be matchy-match, but I do feel as though each piece should be functional and should serve your specific needs. For instance, if you need a piece to facilitate those quick one-nighters then a great duffel bag could do just the trick. My go-to piece for this would be the Tumi Alpha Bravo Everett Essential Tote. I prefer the Anthracite color but your taste may vary from mine.
If I could keep just one piece though it would have to be my carryon. I saved up enough Marriott Rewards points to purchase the Tumi Alpha Carryon.
This piece of mine has seen the inside of more Hampton Inns than I care to admit and has been my main piece of luggage for over 5 years now. The suitcase itself is very versatile and durable showing slight signs of age but still maintaining that broken-in charm that I mentioned earlier. My initials are embossed in the tag making it easy to recognize at the baggage claim and also causing more than one nosy bystander to ask what the C stands for. (It's Cooper, by the way). There is one essential flaw to my essential piece of luggage however and that is the fact that it is very front-heavy, meaning if it is heavily loaded then it has the tendency to tip forward. This can be quite cumbersome, especially when edging forward toward the line forming to board while waiting for the Delta lady to call out Zone 4.
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