My family and I recently took a vacation to Florida. In the weeks leading up to our departure, I stopped by my parents’ house for lunch. I happened to glance at the suitcase they were planning to bring… and it was as if I took a trip back in time. Although the suitcase “technically” had four microscopic wheels, it only had a small skinny strap to pull it along. It was a pre-telescopic handle species of suitcase, which I thought was already extinct.
Needless to say, I knew it would be difficult for my elderly parents to take on our excursion. I sprang into action and bought two new spinner suitcases to help ease the burden throughout our journey. They gladly agreed to try it out. However, when we got to the airport, my mother and father said they found it difficult to push the spinner alongside of them (which is the whole benefit of this style of bag). So, they ended up pulling it behind them instead.
Although I was disappointed they couldn’t use the spinner to its fullest capacity, I do believe it made their moving around a bit easier. I admit that it takes a minute or two to adjust to this new way of moving luggage, but I feel that most people should be able to quickly adapt to the new push versus the old pull process.
Funny enough, I happen to be a recent convert to the spinner bag myself. I used to have very sore shoulders and arms the day following my flights, due to my heavy carry-on bags that I either carried or pulled behind me. I finally gave in and now have a shiny blue hard-shell-spinner computer bag, which makes airport walking and airplane aisle maneuvering an absolute joy. I am happy to report that my sore upper body is a thing of the past!
In fact, my recent conversion made me more alert on this trip to observe what types of bags other passengers at the airport were using. I could not believe how many people still have not made the switch to the spinner. I would estimate that about 75 percent had not come on board! This amazes me, especially since it makes the travel process so much easier. These days, you can find them very reasonably priced. I paid between $69 and $100 for my bags, which is in fact quite a bargain.
I hope that this article inspires all of our readers to go out and test-drive a spinner suitcase at their nearest department store. You will be amazed how less exhausting your travel will become. If I had to sum up my best travel advice for 2012, it would be “surrender to the spinner!”
As always, I wish you all the happiest of travels this holiday season.
