[Laminar]

So it turns out that carry-on bags are no longer allowed on international flights going into the US. Or at least that's what the guy in Canada told me as he made me stuff my backpack into my suitcase so it could be checked. I ended up carrying my laptop around all day on its own with my camera, iPod, book, and power supply stuffed into my pockets.

Currently allowed items are laptop carrying cases (no briefcases or backpacks) and small purses (nothing that would actually be useful).

My backpack is old, worn out, and too small anyway, so I'm in the market for a new carrying case.

Here's the catch - whatever I use as a carry on I also use to carry my laptop and tools to a job site. I keep all of my tools in my checked luggage but use the smaller bag to carry them once on location. Because of this, I'd like something that's "expandable." It will seem like a normal laptop bag when traveling but it will hold everything I need it to when I load it up.

Here's what I usually carry:


It all barely fits in what I'd call a medium-sized laptop-specific backpack. I would be an added bonus if the new bag could be carried as a briefcase or a backpack for versatility.

Suggestions?

[shifuimam]

I have zero suggestions, but your multimeter looks exactly like the one I got for $14 on DealExtreme a few months ago.

<edit>

I lied. I have one of these:

http://bbpbags.com/expandit.html

It's crap for a normal laptop bag, but it's extremely slim and compact when it's not in its expanded form - only 3" wide. It'll hold up to a 15" wide laptop, IIRC. Would that work?

[residentEvil]

this is the bad boy i got:

Brenthaven ProLite II Case for 15-inch MacBook Pro - Apple Store (U.S.)

i use it to carry around 2 laptops (macbook pro goes in the pouch designed for it, lenovo goes in one of the file folder pockets), 2 power supplies, a couple different sizes of cat5 cables, a crossover cable, usb to serial adapter, a dozen or so cds/dvds in a hard case, a mouse and a pretty thick padfolio; that goes in one of the folder pockets to help protect the lenovo.

[Laminar]

Is it a Fluke 787? If so, that's a good deal. They're usually $500+ new.

[shifuimam]

Of course not. DealExtreme doesn't sell anything brand-name except refurbished Nintendo hardware, which generally uses crappy third-party enclosures but actual Nintendo innards. Everything else craptastic ripoffs thanks to China's lax copyright laws (or at least lax enforcement of them).

DealExtreme: $14.37 Multimeter Xiole DT9205A Yellow Black Large

[residentEvil]

hahaha, cause that is something i would want to buy. nice reviews. and i know, i'm sure yours is perfect with no problems and works better then fluke products blah blah blah

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

So it turns out that carry-on bags are no longer allowed on international flights going into the US. Or at least that's what the guy in Canada told me as he made me stuff my backpack into my suitcase so it could be checked

Is that official policy, of just some crap random airports are pulling ?
Are you still allowed the one personal item (like a briefcase) ?

-t

[shifuimam]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

hahaha, cause that is something i would want to buy. nice reviews. and i know, i'm sure yours is perfect with no problems and works better then fluke products blah blah blah

I never said it was better than brand name products. You don't buy shit on DX because it's better than the brand name it's ripping off. You buy on DX because it's dirt cheap.

That being said, they sell iPhone cables and power adapters that are effectively identical to the ones Apple sells. I haven't had any problems with the ones I got, at least. I haven't had any problems with this multimeter I got, but I also don't really need to use it very frequently.

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Is that official policy, of just some crap random airports are pulling ?
Are you still allowed the one personal item (like a briefcase) ?

-t

Possibly current policy for incoming int'l flights because of the underwear bomber...?

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

I never said it was better than brand name products. You don't buy shit on DX because it's better than the brand name it's ripping off. You buy on DX because it's dirt cheap.

That being said, they sell iPhone cables and power adapters that are effectively identical to the ones Apple sells. I haven't had any problems with the ones I got, at least. I haven't had any problems with this multimeter I got, but I also don't really need to use it very frequently.



Possibly current policy for incoming int'l flights because of the underwear bomber...?

did i say, you said, it was better then fluke? i'm pointing out that the one you bought, based on the site/comments. is crap. who cares if it is cheap? if it doesn't do the job, why bother? i spent some time on the site, i wouldn't never buy anything off of there.

you do, happy for you. not for me though.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Is that official policy, of just some crap random airports are pulling ?

AFAIK, it's airlines and countries (i.e. it's official policy in Canada for flights to US now).

[wallinbl]

Saddleback Leather Company - Laptop Case Dark Coffee Brown

I prefer the briefcase model, but you said no briefcases.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

AFAIK, it's airlines and countries (i.e. it's official policy in Canada for flights to US now).

If it's only for INBOUND flights to the US, this policy is incredibly stupid.

As if terrorists could never board in the US

-t

[CollinG3G4]

Check out some of the cases by Pelican. They make a variety of sizes including some designed specifically for laptops. Though, some might fall into the briefcase category.

Welcome to www.pelican.com Pelican� Products - Manufacturer of high-impact, watertight equipment Protector� Cases and safety approved, technically advanced flashlights

[shifuimam]

Saddleback does make incredibly good bags. A friend I know who runs a review site has reviewed a number of their products, and she loves them.

Of course, you also have to sell your soul and the head of your firstborn to afford one...

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Is that official policy, of just some crap random airports are pulling ?
Are you still allowed the one personal item (like a briefcase) ?

-t

...

Currently allowed items are laptop carrying cases (no briefcases or backpacks) and small purses (nothing that would actually be useful).

[turtle777]

Is that from the TSA or an official US website ?
Do you have links ?

I only found links pointing to Canada, so this might just be a Canuckistan thing

-t