When I fly it’s almost always large domestic flights and the Gator fit so easily underneath the seat in front that I could put my feet on both sides. It was tiny compared to the bags I stuff under there before. What worked out well was the pockets on the sides where I put a paperback on one side and some water on the other.

Regarding the one bag approach, I admit there are times I envy those pulling a bag on wheels because when it works those bags are so much easier. I do regret giving up on the Air Boss now but my Tom Bihn Aeronaut is very comfortable and works well (but the bundle method is nearly impossible with it). My latest strategy is to go Aeronaut on my back and Gator using the handles. I may try to get a small mobile internet device like the iPod Touch with Wi-Fi to complete my travel gadget needs (and keep the load light).

Back to the Gator, I think if you needed to carry a laptop you’d need to go to the Metro or even the CPA which has the extra width.

They remind me that weight (of water and books) was the principal reason I abandoned soft-sided luggage in the first place and used a wheelie in the ’90’s.

The 45″ sum of three dimensions limit on carry-on bags is actually quite workable if you are packing clothing and not heavy items – although denim pants can add up. Even with clothing there are variations in density, for example fluffy winter clothing (like a synthetic fill jacket) will fill out an AirBoss or similar bag without overweighting it, while (most) shoes and denim pants are heavy.

On my upcoming trip to Thailand, my plan is to carry a medium duffel with clothing in it (bulky but light items), plus a small “personal sized” back pack (the 17 liter Flash ultralite from REI) carrying my post-security re-filled 64 oz collapsible water bottle. Thus the heavy item (1 kg per liter for water) goes in the smaller bag, which also carries easiest due to the back pack straps.

Although the “one bag” principle is great, the minute you add heavy, dense items to the equation – be it water, books, laptop, or camera gear – you’ve either got to have that extra strength and patience to haul the “one bag” around, or you’ve got to convert to a wheelie OR distribute some of that weight into your permitted “personal” bag. I find it a lot easier to carry one shoulder bag on each shoulder, each medium in weight, than a single heavy bag on one shoulder (or even cross body). The best for me (short of a wheelie) is heaviest, densest items in a small backpack (backpacks carry GREAT) and just using the luggage handles for the other bag, switching carry sides periodically (I’m not that fond of shoulder straps, they slip, plus I’ve been exercising – seriously – and carrying stuff in my hand isn’t the burden it once was).

I can really sympathize with Debbie for using a very compact wheelie for her books and laptop.

Wheelies are actually great for solitary travel, point to point via taxi – the problem is that airlines are cracking down on their size, they waste a lot of space and its impossible to fit a whole “family” of wheelies into the trunk of most cars (soft-sided luggage somehow manages to squeeze in), and if you watch the weight, a non-wheelie is just SO much more versatile.

It would be useful to hear more from Matt M on the Gator bag. I looked at that and it looks good (and it has a great price!) if you need to haul a laptop and some books around. The Lightwire Brief from Patagonia (26 L (1600 cu in) 15.5″ x 12.5″ x 7″ Computer Sleeve: 15″ x 10.5″) also looks interesting, although I believe it is QUITE a bit bigger than the Gator, more of a “mini one-bag” than briefcase:

http://www.patagonia.com/web/u.....90&ws=

Looking forward to hearing more about the Air Boss.

I packed it in an inexpensive camera bag. You can see it in the background in the 1st picture above – click on it for a larger view. (It’s branded Samsonite,- but don’t let the name fool you – it’s a cheap offshore import, but it works for casual travel.)

The bag is large enough for a D80 equipped with an 18-55mm lens and my Garmin GPS and a few other odds and ends.

I’ll post tomorrow about the trip and the Air Boss. At 18lbs. I was at the limit of what I want / am able to lug around.

Thanks for commenting.

Kevin