CANAM

Somebody flying an E170/175 shouldn't be asking questions like what type of bag to buy. You're an airline pilot making tons of cash. Buy the most expensive bag that can fit in your Porsche GT3. This is what ERAU tells their students every single day.

jsfBoat

I was in Target yesterday, found a Targus nylon black case with inline wheels for $100, pretty nice, and one from Swissgear also with inline wheels, slightly smaller than usual, for $60.

soon2bfo

Heritage Catalog Case - eBags.com

I've owned 2 of these. They're super-cheap and last about 2 years. Then, you get a new one! Search "catalog case" on google and you will find hundreds. This is the cheapest option, it fits 4 jep binders 2/2 and has about 6 inches on top for other stuff (headset etc.) Great way to go.

BTW********** Same exact bag (minus the crap side pockets) as the Marv Golden referenced in another post but for $40 less. Same company, same Chinese manufacturer.

Colnago

This. I got it when it was cheaper.

I still have it after 4.5 years and it hasn't come apart [yet]. For the price, it's totally worth it. Just buy another one if it starts falling apart.

Airway

I bought an expensive leather bag and regretted it. It's a solid bag, but a lot of guys I fly with here have the LW Ballistic Nylon bag, and that thing has pockets everywhere and is light weight. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have saved a hundred bucks and got that.

Colnago

I don't know....I mean, I think some guys are just afraid to be seen as cheap by their fellow pilots. It's kind of a lame mentality. Those $100 bags aren't really all that durable either and just a waste of money when you can get the cheap $40 catalog case. Guys just wanna show off the LW or Scott Leather logo. Don't get me wrong. Those Scott Leather bags look really really nice.

SkyMall

Hey buddy. Welcome to the business.

There are a variety of suggestions in this thread, and I think the takeaway point here is that there's more than one way to skin this cat. If you're strapped for cash or don't see any value in purchasing the best quality you can afford, the catalogue case is a good option. If you want a piece of professional gear that will last you a career, a heavy leather bag is the way to go. (The caviat to that option being we'll probably all be on EFB programs within a few years and you won't need that expensive, full-size bag) The Harbor Freight tool box is an interesting idea if you like being a little different. I'd check your company regs and be sure you can use it though. I worked for a company that specified that flight cases had to be black. I have no idea if they would have cared if anyone used a silver tool box because everyone just had black bags.

For what it's worth, I made an investment in the Coyote saddlebag when I was a newhire at my first airline and it's going strong. It's held up very well and has a nice "I've been around the block a time or two" patina. The only downside is that it's a pretty heavy bag. When I had three Jepp binders, two company manuals, my headset, a flashlight, and a small bag of pens/pencils/sanicoms/coughdrops/paperclips/rubberbands/etc in there it got a little unwieldy, but on the upside it all fit comfortably.

seattlepilot

Hahahaha he said 170.. its most likely rah. Electronic bags in couple of yesrs? Hahahaha hahahahahhaha

Dont get the stuff with wheels: occupies more space and it gets heavier. I have my luggage works that i picked up at stopover store in msp during a stopover (grin) and it has been good to me. I had a catolog case at my short tenure in crjs but that wasnt pretty

HVAA

Korchmar Top Grain Leather Pilot Case - C1003



Picked it up for ~$300, 8 years ago, looks better than when I bought it. And I'm a commuter.

Beaver Hunter

I have a mini Scott Leather bag. I would have bought a second if I knew they were shutting down. It's perfect size for today's electronic manuals. You can even put your "I am a big time pilot stickers", on the sides. Chicks dig it, guys respect it.