What type of work do you do and what do you typically carry? Is this an office backpack or a field backpack?

Honestly, unless you carry a ton of heavy books or gear, pretty much any of the quality backpacks mentioned will work just fine. In this day of small portable electronics, few people really tax a backpack to the breaking point anymore. You'll likely get tired of the style before you ever wear it out. I have a 5 year old North Face Borealis that I haul to work every day and have also drug literally all over the world. Still looks new.

I'm in management consulting. Right now I'm carrying 2 laptops, 2 phones, associated chargers, power cords and headsets, day planner, notepad/book, books/magazines, couple of small wallets, loose change a myriad of pens, snacks, and other small incidentals.

I had a tumi many years ago and it finally gave way my wife bought me a llbean soft bag. I like the number of pockets and places to put odds n ends. But it's old and worn.

I dont need a "TSA friendly" bag, there's no such thing. They make you take the electronics out anyway

I fly every week.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:
I'm in management consulting. Right now I'm carrying 2 laptops, 2 phones, associated chargers, power cords and headsets, day planner, notepad/book, books/magazines, couple of small wallets, loose change a myriad of pens, snacks, and other small incidentals.

I had a tumi many years ago and it finally gave way my wife bought me a llbean soft bag. I like the number of pockets and places to put odds n ends. But it's old and worn.

I dont need a "TSA friendly" bag, there's no such thing. They make you take the electronics out anyway

I fly every week.

Why on earth do you carry two laptops?

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:

I dont need a "TSA friendly" bag, there's no such thing. They make you take the electronics out anyway

I fly every week.

How on Earth have you not invested in getting ‘TSA Pre-Check’?

I haven’t taken anything out of my carry ons in years and I’m flying with laptop, ipad, chargers, backpack panel insert, and all the assorted stuff needed on travel.

Seriously, it’s the best $75 you can spend.

Client requires me to use their tech and I still need my tech.

I've always had precheck as a platinum medallion. I was fortunate enough to lose my status but now I'm back on the road. But you're right I should just get it.

Check this out: Tom Bihn.

I have the Brain Bag; it might be overkill for what you want, but I've been using it for about 10 years now and it's still in great shape. Tends to be a little on the heavy side, but one of their other packs might be lighter. I have a single laptop sleeve in mine but it will hold two.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:
Client requires me to use their tech and I still need my tech.

I've always had precheck as a platinum medallion. I was fortunate enough to lose my status but now I'm back on the road. But you're right I should just get it.

You don't get TSA Precheck as a status from an airline. It requires you to be fingerprinted and apply through TSA.

You don't have to remove electronics or take off your clothes if you have TSA Precheck.

Every road-warrior should know about TSA Precheck. Many travel credit cards will cover the application fee for you.

Avoid the pelican offering. Ours didn't make it through the first trip. Poor design.

I use a sleeve, and then either an osprey daypack (designed for computer carry), or a pelican carry-on approved luggage bag (1510). I also have a rolling computer breifcase which is handy. Made by swissport.

As for the backpack...the osprey is holding up well, as you would expect. It has the added bonus of appearing rather granola which works well for traveling through libtard country which we're often required to do on the Left coast.

The North Face "Surge" great computer backpack, everyday and travel. Discounted price on the internet!!!

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
Every road-warrior should know about TSA Precheck. Many travel credit cards will cover the application fee for you.

Don't forget you get the TSA Precheck security line, so you get to pass a large majority of the unwashed masses in line as well.

I figure it saves a minimum of an hour a round trip, sometimes considerably more.

Well worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
Every road-warrior should know about TSA Precheck. Many travel credit cards will cover the application fee for you.

Don't forget you get the TSA Precheck security line, so you get to pass a large majority of the unwashed masses in line as well.

I figure it saves a minimum of an hour a round trip, sometimes considerably more.

Well worth it.

I will preface this by saying I keep meaning to do Precheck but haven't yet.

Because of airline credit cards, I can go through the frequent-flyer/first-class security line most of the time when I fly, even though most years I don't fly enough to qualify for the necessary level of frequent flyer status and don't usually fly first class.

While those lines are typically very short, you do still have to take off shoes and take out electronics, and sometimes the Precheck line is even shorter.

That isn't always the case. I've flown into Charlotte, NC a couple of times and once they didn't have a frequent-flier/first-class line at all, and the other time they had one line feeding one X-ray machine for the entire airport - the line was worse than the regular security lines.