Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'll put this review together in the hope that it might help another customer make a decision. Briggs and Riley does not adequately describe the unique features of this bag. To skip to the end, I am very pleased with this bag. About me: Last year I flew 51 round-trips on the airlines, and took another 7 trips on Amtrak. I know many of you reading this do much more than that. However I've kept this sort of schedule up for the past 30 years, so I have some understanding of what a traveler needs. Most of these trips were overnight runs, and by nature I pack lightly. For the last few years I've used a wheeled business case which performed well, but I could not take it aboard regional jets or turboprop aircraft. Also pulling it down a sidewalk could be a chore. It was really meant to roll on the smooth surface of an airport floor or hotel lobby. I decided to retire it a while back after it was twice "left behind" after I gate checked it on an airline. Also I noticed at one small airport that the gate-checked luggage was taking a half hour to be brought up from the plane to the jetway. I've had enough. What I wanted was a quality-built bag that could be carried on my shoulder, big enough for a change of clothes and a small laptop, and small enough to fit under the seat of a turboprop aircraft. I first went to a Tumi store, because I admired the look of their bags. Surprisingly they did not appear to make anything that fit my needs. The manufacturer seems to think if you want to carry a laptop that the other compartment has to be an expandable file. I do not carry much paperwork with me, but I do want to bring some clothing. I looked at more bags than I can recall, and most of them could be ruled out in less than a minute. Many lacked cell phone pockets, key rings, pen holder, quality zippers, and a host of other small details that make a difference to me. Three month ago I saw another passenger with this Briggs & Riley Bag, and I asked her about it. She seemed positive about it, but told me they were difficult to find. This was true. I went to three different luggage stores who claim to be Briggs & Riley dealers, but all they could show me was a picture. All became indifferent to me when it was clear that I wanted something they did not stock. I really wanted to see it before purchasing, because I could not find any reviews about the bag except for repeating what the manufacturer wrote. I finally decided to buy it from Amazon because I knew I could return it with ease if I was not satisfied. I was not happy when I first saw it. It seemed far too small. However I took the time to really look it over and what it seems to have is an understated design. It is divided into three main compartments; in addition there are FOUR expansion zippers, two on top and two on the bottom. The expansion zippers can can used in any combination to increase the width of the bag up to 12 inches. They work well. One compartment is a flat packing area meant for clothing. There is a removable elastic mesh designed to hold your clothing snugly inside the bag with a minimum of wrinkling (it works well, but I also place my shirt in a plastic shirtbag for added protection. This area is deep enough for man's dress shirt, slacks and one tie, if you take the time to properly fold them. The second compartment is a top loading area. In this I carry a 13 inch laptop (Sony Vaio-Z) and a compression bag with the remainder of my clothing. There is also room left over for some paperwork (lets just say a slim file folder or a magazine.) The final (outer) pocket is thoughtfully designed to hold the computer cord, iPhone5s, pens, keys, credit cards, passport,small book and all the other important things that need to be brought along. Some more nice features: Briggs & Riley talk about their "Speedthru" sleeve, but I had no idea what they meant, nor does their website explain the term. At the top of the bag, in easy reach, is a slim water proof compartment just big enough to hold a quart-sized bag with your toiletries. I do not have to open up the bag when I get to the TSA line at the airport. The toiletries slip in and out with ease, and it speeds up the security-check process. Also, on the back of this bag is a compartment with zippers at the top and bottom and it has a dual purpose. If both zippers are opened, it creates a very sturdy strap which you can then use to slide this bag over the handle of a larger rolling bag. However with the zippers closed you have another large divided pocket with what appears to be a water resistant lining. I use it to carry a newspaper and a small umbrella or water bottle. I also have to confess to packing the occasional bagel or sandwich there too. The sturdy shoulder strap mounts on opposing corners which helps to keep the bag from bouncing on my side as I walk. Also that makes it a breeze to pull around to my front as I board a small plane or walk in a crowded area. There are also protective feet and bumpers to limit wear. I have also discovered a few more small zippered pockets inside. The overall construction is good, with sturdy zippers and hidden magnets to help close things without the use of Velcro. As to actual use, I carry the laptop, change of clothes, phone, paperwork, umbrella and miscellaneous, and I still do not need to fully expand it. The bag is not specifically made for a laptop, so I put the computer in a sleeve. Those of you with tablets will have no problems at all. Even better, it fits under the seat of the smaller regional jets (EMB-145 and the CRJ) as well as the Turboprop DeHavilland DH-8. I will update this when I take my next ride on the Beech 1900. On my next international trip I will use this as a briefcase. It also fits neatly in an Amtrak roomette, but then luggage is never really an issue on the train. As to appearance, I am not qualified as a fashion consultant, but it looks dignified and professional. Complaints: Just one...no water bottle holder. Hopefully this review will help you decide if the Cabin Bag fits your needs. March 21 UPDATE: Just took a flight on a Beechcraft 1900D, and the bag fits under the seat. February 7, 2015 UPDATE: I've now used this bag for more than two years, and made more than 100 trips with it. I am completely pleased with this purchase. It still looks new, functions perfectly, and nothing is broken or damaged. The seams are tight and the lining is solid. In fact I thought I had damaged the interior myself, when a cheap pen leaked ink on the lining. Amazingly the mess wiped right off the water-resistant lining, and left no mark whatsoever. I wish B&R would pay me a commission, because I know I've "sold" a few of these to airline seatmates and other folks who ask me about it in the airports.