Carry-on Bags

Air travel can be a bother-even before you take to the air: You reach the airport around two hours prior to the boarding time; you wait in a long queue to check in; and then when your turn finally arrives, the airline official tells you that your carry-on baggage is too big, that it will have to be consigned to the luggage compartment. [break]

To prevent your carry-on bag from being stowed away in the luggage compartment and to prevent your laptop, handycam and other expensive personal stuff from being mishandled, remember to get a bag that is no bigger than 55cmx40cmx20cm. In other words, the length of the bag should not exceed 55cm and the height and the breadth should not exceed 40cm and 20cm, respectively.

The market currently offers an array of bags that fit the description. Among these, the ones with wheels and an extendable handle are highly recommended because with these bags you don´t have to worry about grunting under a heavy load for long distances at airport terminals.

And among these upright bags, it is suggested that you get a Samsonite. These bags are certainly high-ticket items-with prices ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 34,000-but they come with international warranties of several years, or even lifetime ones.

That´s not to say that the less expensive bags are not durable. Bags such as the ones produced by American Tourister, Elle, Carlton, Baleno and Echolac are also recommended, and their prices range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000. But don´t fall for the cheap polyester bags-they tear easily; you don´t want your stuff spilling all over the airport lounge. So always ask for bags made of hard-wearing Cordura or ballistic nylon. Products made out of these materials cost more but they give value for your money.

Another option could be hard-cased handbags. Do you remember the scene in Gahjini where Aamir Khan, flanked by his assistants, arrives at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai? If you take a closer look, you´ll see two of his assistants carrying chic-looking silver checkered bags. Those bags are hard-cased bags, and they are available in the market. Known as Gravitons, they are produced by Samsonite, cost Rs 27,805, and come with a 10-year warranty.

Buying tips

Ask for bags that have dimensions no bigger than 55cmx40cmx20cm

Get a bag made of Cordura, ballistic nylon or polycarbonate shell

Ask for a warranty card when buying Samsonite and Amercian Tourister products

Check the wheels and the extendable handle

SAMSONITE

Pro Deluxe: Rs 34,000

For laptops as well

Homage II (55cm): Rs 33,395

Soft cover

Lifetime warranty

Xion: Rs 22,145

10-year warranty

Graviton: Rs 27,805

10-year warranty

Sahora: Rs 20,465

10-year warranty

Sahora Bright: Rs 23,885

Lifetime warranty

Solana: Rs 23,030

3-year warranty

For laptop as well

Cruisair: Rs 15,660

3-year warranty

Sky Wheeler: Rs 16,835

3-year warranty

Spark: Rs 12,985

2-year warranty

AMERICAN TOURISTER

AT Optio: Rs 9,935

Naples: Rs 6,035

AT Solida: Rs 5,280

At System 4 Deluxe: Rs 10,695

AT Oxford: Rs 11,835

*Comes with a three-year warranty

Elle Homme (50cm): Rs 6,950

Baleno (52cm): Rs 4,485

Echolac (20inch): 4,350

Carlton Mirage (50cm): 4,990

Carlton Costa Light weight (50cm): Rs 6,190

Baleno (20 inch): Rs 3,975

Carlton Expander (50cm): Rs 5,190