I will be ordering the RC Classic Back Door Bag today. I'm fairly certain it will best suit my needs. I am a light packer (for a female) and I need something that will be lightweight enough when it's packed, that it won't tug or pull or feel heavy when I'm wearing it on my back. My primary questions are around the Civita Day Pack which I also plan to order - can I carry both the Back Door Bag and the Day Pack on board the plane? These will be the only two pieces I plan to carry aboard. No handbag/purse - just these two pieces. I'm thinking that I will use the Day Pack for my guidebook to read on the plane as well as high energy snacks, etc. When I don't have anything in the Day Pack, will it fit (squashed up, perhaps) into the Classic Door Bag?
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
891 posts
Lisa, I travel with the RS 22" carryon & the Civita Day Pack. I take both as carryons, don't carry a purse. the Day pack my husband & I then use each day to carry, guide book, maps, vest things like that. On the flight I keep my makeup kit, book to read, meds, etc. It has worked well for me. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I have an Ebags Weekender convertible carry-on and the Civita day pack. I like to pack as light as possible and usually don't fill my Weekender (even for a month on the road). The load always expands during the trip so starting with a lightly packed bag helps a lot.
One of my personal security rules is to only carry one item at a time. Having only one thing to keep track of keeps me from misplacing anything or falling victim to theives.
I accomplish this by putting the Civita inside the Weekender whenever I'm traveling. When I'm not traveling, the Civita carries my non-valuables for the day (rain-shell, chap-stick, sunblock, swiss army knife, plastic fork, lunch stuff, water bottle, etc.). Valuables are in my money belt. My camera is pocket size; I put it on a neck-strap from a thumb-drive (instead of the wrist-strap it comes with).
On the flight to and from Europe. I put my flying stuff (ear plugs, gum, water bottle, snacks, fleece/sweater, eye shades, excedrin PM, etc.) in the Civita. When I put my Weekender in the overhead bin, I pull the Civita out and stick it under my feet for the flight.
You can carry your Civita as your personal item for flying. I'd recommend avoiding carrying it as a second bag, if at all possible.
Posted by
Freedonia
15069 posts
I'm currently using the RS convertible and the Civita shoulder bag....and I do exactly the same as Brad.
One bag to carry on to the plane. The Civita is already loaded with everything I need for the flight.
Once onboard, Civita comes out of the RS bag and put under the seat in front of me. The RS bag goes overhead.
I usually put the Civita bag in the larger pocket of the front cover of the RS bag or the new side pocket--not the main compartment. Much easier to pull out.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1288 posts
I don't have the Civita bag, but my husband and I always carry on a RS bag (classic for him, wheeled for me) and he carries a backpack and I carry a larger toiletry bag (it has chargers, camera, glasses, vitamins, perscriptions, etc. The older we get, the more of this stuff we have) We have never had a problem. (Heathrow used to insist on one carry on, but they have changed that policy) My sister and brother-in-law followed my advice and did exactly the same thing. They used a civita bag and had no problem. Just don't overpack the civita bag. If it looks like it won't fit under the seat, they may question it.
Posted by
dragit
113 posts
Lisa,
I have always done the same as Brad & Frank in some sort of combination, even carrying the Civita as a personal item, when the airlines permit it. If not, it stuffs inside the Classic with no problem. Both Civita styles "squash up" very well when empty. Another thing I have done is pack everything in the main bag until I get to the gate, then take the Civita out and pack it with the personal things I will need for the flight. It can be a little more cumbersome going down the aisle on the plane, however.