What is the best pilot bag?
What is the best pilot bag?
This answer is not sponsored. We remain completely independent.
In our view, the best pilot bag is a bag that will:
- Last you for years
- Have space for your vitals
- Not cause you any issues on various flight decks
We understand that you may be on a budget. In the long run, going with a quality bag is likely to be the cheapest for you.
The first thing you probably need to consider is if you want to go for wheels or no wheels.
Pilot bags with wheels
There are a few things we would like to tell you about our experience in regard to wheeled bags. The expandable handle is usually a weak design link so often you get issues with it after having used it a few hundred times. Also, the compartment for the expandable handle can on some models take up as much room as a small laptop. The wheels also tend to have some hardcovers making the bottom of the bag a little less useable. On most bags, the wheels are made of material that easily wears out. Anything concrete, stone, etc just chips of the wheel cover like butter. If you regularly use the wheels both in and outside the terminal area we think it is hard to imagine that your wheels will last you longer than about 2 years.
If you need to carry your wheeled pilot bag, the only option tends to be carrying it in the top handle. This means you carry all the weight in your palm/ arm. Something with a shoulder strap can normally be carried using both your shoulders and upper back which is better if the bag is a little heavy. On the other hand of course every time you can drag your wheeled bag (and it works) it wins over a shoulder-carried bag.
Shoulder-carried pilot bags
If you need space and something that is not likely to break you will get the most out of a shoulder-carried pilot bag. Of course, the disadvantage of a shoulder carrier pilot bag is that you need to carry it everywhere.
Which type of bag do experienced pilots tend to go for?
Generally wheeled bags are used by new-ish pilots in the aviation industry.
Experienced pilots usually have over-the-shoulder carried bags.
We have no statistics to confirm this, it is just based on being in the industry and looking at our colleagues.
What we think is nice to be able to carry in a pilot bag
- Spare clothes (night stop kit)
- Passport, certificates, vaccination card
- Medication for headaches, the common cold, stomach-related issues
- Sewing kit
- Snacks
- High-vis
- Ear-plugs
- Own headset
- Sunglasses
- Spare cash
- An electronic device for company manuals, apps, charts, etc.
- Personal electronic device and a travel adapter
Things you could carry explained in more detail
In particular, if you are flying long-haul and your crew luggage doesn’t arrive it is always nice if you can have a few pieces of clothing with you. Even if you fly short-haul, you might occasionally need a night-stop kit. Most likely you will not end up using the kit very often but it is really nice to have when it happens.
We have always appreciated a pocket in the front that can fit a passport and your certificates, vaccination card, etc for easy and fast access.
You might want to carry a little bit of medication with you for headaches and the common cold. Maybe also something for stomach-related issues. This is not to state it is okay to fly with a cold etc. certainly not. The medication is for in-flight issues that suddenly arise. If you are sick and unsure about whether you are fit or not, of course always consult your doctor or AME. Also, be very careful as to what kind of medication you take.
The “life-saver” in your bag
Always have snacks in your bag. (Protein bars for example.) You can easily end up not having the time to eat a sandwich but your blood sugar is low. This is where a quick snack fits in really well.
Most pilots will need to carry a high-vis and for the walkaround, some personal earplugs can be useful.
There is a big debate about if you need to carry your own headset or not. Our view is that if you have your own headset you are not going to end up having one of those crappy days where you are stuck with a half-decent headset. Also from a hygiene point of view having your own headset is probably the best idea.
Sunglasses are another vital part of most pilot gear. Be a little careful with polarized lenses as some displays might be a little hard to see. If you end up somewhere on a night stop it can be nice to have a little bit of cash in various currencies like EUR, GBP, and USD.
Many companies issue their pilots with an electronic device for company manuals, apps, charts etc.
If you are on a long string of duties involving staying at hotels, then having your own laptop and a travel adapter might be useful to carry in your flight bag.
What is in your bag?
We have created this YouTube video showing the difference that there could be between a student pilot bag and a professional pilot bag, and what is in the bag.
