Thought I would share my recent experience having to do with something very exciting - luggage.  I should caveat this post and say that I have a compulsive disorder when it comes to bags - totes, suitcases, briefcases, etc. I have been searching for the perfect bag since my first trip and that was decades ago. I continue to my search and leave a carnage of bags in my wake.

I dropped off my beloved Swiss Gear luggage to Goodwill - a set of 2 proper sized roller bags that were perfect size, weight and color.  I could not find an exact replacement and so I ventured from a 2 wheel to a 4 wheel bag. Oh, in between this venture, I upgraded to a Tumi 2 wheeler - "international" version which makes it sound better than it is practical for US travel. The "international" part of the bag makes it just wide enough that it doesn't fit in the plane aisle . Since I am pretty much on a plane every week, I need a bag that is a bit narrower - this is when I went to 4 wheels because they seemed to be all the rage.

Ok, my first trip out with my black (ho-hum) 4 wheel Swiss Gear roller bag was bad. I walked into it, it rolled into me, it rolled away from me. It seemed like it was always in my way, a barrier between me and the space in front of me.

I always have 2 bags and had been accustomed to resting one atop the other, pulling both along merrily. I pulled them - keeping the weight behind me. This worked fine on any floor surface.  Overall, it comes down to which muscles are stronger...the 4 wheeler isn't as bag-stacking friendly and it definitely discriminates against carpeted floors. (seriously, how many of you notice whether airports are carpeted?). So you end up pushing the 4 wheeler with varying degrees of effort depending upon the floor.  I suppose it could be the brand of bag and the wheel + handle quality - perhaps I need to experiment with more bags.  

Once again, I find myself only loving some aspects but not all. I continue my quest.

PS - I have been monitoring flight crew personnel and almost all are using 2 wheelers. So, there's that. Aren't they the true experts? Aren't they the reason luggage even has wheels? Right.