Carryings on About My Carry-On

…or “A Fond Farewell to My Two-Wheeled Friend”…

I remember a scene from an old movie I watched as a little boy when a rancher had to “put down” his prize horse. There’s nothing more powerful than the farewell that happens between companions that have lived through thick and thin. What a tear-jerker that scene was. I feel like I am, in some strange way, in that movie today.

Today I am going to have to put down my carry-on suitcase.

Now I do not want to trivialize in any way the horse scenario (in fact, as a disclaimer, I talked with my horse owning, ranch friends before posting this – I understand that we are talking about a living thing vs. a black canvas, leather and plastic object). But I have been all around the world with this thing, and in a way it’s become a buddy. Just last night as I was finishing packing, I found ticket stubs from Syria, an airplane napkin from Mauritius, and a tear out from Gente magazine in Italy. The thing just gave up today. As I changed planes at JFK, the right wheel gave out, and it was clear that this was going to be the last trip. It’s not the looks of the thing, I just can’t piece it all back together – and just hope it gets me to Africa and back.

So, beyond the schmaltzy musings of my prolonged farewell to this suitcase, there is a product review, consumer idea somewhere in this post. It has been a great suitcase. It is the Targus computer case/carry-on. My father-in-law bought it for me when I was in NY for meetings while posted in Yerevan, Armenia. He had purchased one for himself earlier that month and swore by it. True to his very good taste in things of enduring quality, he was right. I know that there are fancier, more bespoke luggage items out there, but this gift from my father-in-law (at a Staples in Westchester, no less), has turned out to be a luxury item in my life.

This was 6 years ago. And it’s been to a number of pretty far-away places. It has just the right amount of pockets in front and back. I’ve had the handle repaired once or twice. Plus, it has a pocket in the back to stick that copy of SkyMall Magazine that (admit it!) you sometimes like to take from the plane and read (more on that another day).

Two years ago I got another bag. It’s more expensive, and will serve me fine. But I wanted to get every last minute of work out of this workhorse. So on my way to the next flight, running between gates at JFK, I realize this is it. It’s been fun, old friend. Farewell!