Dragging luggage

I normally use the palm-up technique myself. And I do a lot of bag-pulling since I almost never take taxis.

I've never thought about it. My wife and I just experimented with an empty 21" roller bag, and we were both more comfortable with palms facing down. We think that's what we do with full bags on trips, but we can't be sure. Next time (four weeks away!) I'll try both up and down. A full bag may make a difference. It may also matter what size bag and what height traveler, though my wife and I had the same palm-down instinct and we're a foot apart in height.

If I can find this thread in mid-April I'll report on my real-life experiment. After wading through 80+ replies from others, of course! ;-)

I seem to alternate, arms as well as hand positions. My natural tendency is to have palms down when pushing the bag and palms up when pulling it. That's true for both my 2-wheel bag and my spinner.

I'm like Lo - I switch hands & grips especially if I have a small bag riding on top of the wheeled bag.

Hi Frank II,
A while back you were taking opinions about spinners.

Did you try the new spinner on your trip? What did you think?

Just got home from a trip with a spinner... palm down... I've never had any discomfort pulling my wheeled bag.

Priscilla.....I haven't taken the spinner on an international trip. My next one will include a lot of smaller towns with cobblestones where replacing a wheel or bag may not be that easy. So, I'm going to use it only for domestic trips and take a roller with me to Europe.

The only time I had any problems when I tried using the 4 wheel spinner. Once I sent that thing to Goodwill and went back to a two wheeled bag the problem was solved.

That's a good observation Frank II. It makes sense. I'll keep an eye out for what I see people doing on the next trip

Hi everyone! When I saw the title of "Dragging Luggage" I had to laugh. I love luggage. We have a luggage closet. My family of 4 each have 2 luggage sets each. A "beach summer" type. The type we would take do Disney or LA and then a what we call "city walking" type. A type we would take to London or Paris. I was in Miami, FL heading to Puerto Rico and saw a lady literally dragging her suitcase. I mean, the kind with the 4 wheels "old style"....When pulling the strap it would fall over...Remember that kind of luggage. She also was missing a wheel and she was walking like her feet hurt. I know its not nice to laugh but we like to luggage watch at the airport. There are different luggage pull styles ---the draggers, pushers and sprinters. Try luggage watching while you wait for your next plane....it will pass the time and you will have some laughs.

Readers should remember that a heavy bag remains heavy, even when it's on wheels. A 2-wheeled bag is going to weigh on your arm when pulling (and even more so when lifting up stairs). So pack light.

I think I understand the grip distinction you're making, but still have to change up my grip if pulling for a long distance. Palm facing my body would be the ideal grip, if it worked with 2-wheeled bags.

Magellan's used to sell an attachment that clipped to the handle of rollers. The part you grabbed was perpendicular to the suitcase handle. It eased the elbow strain considerably.

I have only felt discomfort pulling a rolling bag (Rick Steves' rolling carry-on) if I have something resting on top of the bag leaning against the extension handlebars. It feels like the weight of that item pulls down on the handle out of proportion. Strapping the item using the extra bag strap provided changes the felt weight enormously. I first tried this out after noticing how most flight attendants were carrying their luggage like that. But I can't say if I pull palm up or palm down. I look forward, with interest, to tracking that on my next trip.

Like Nancy, I also feel wrist/arm strain if I have a personal item atop my rollaboard. By using an add-a-bag strap, the weight of the second item is placed close to the wheels and is more manageable. Travelpro bags used to include a strap, but my new one does not.

Thanks for the info Nancy. I had planned to add a handle strap (whatever you want to call it) to the Pacsafe tote I bought, But it looks like I won't need to. I figured out how to secure the tote using the RCO extra bag strap and wrapping the tote's handles around the carry-on's handle for more security.

Pushmi-pullyu. MrsEB is onto something. I have worked in a warehouse and used a 2 wheel handcart to move heavy boxes. Best way is to keep cart in front of you, tilt the load towards you, try to keep the center of gravity over the wheels and push. Pulling and going backwards is awkward and pulling with one hand causes twisting of back and strain on your arm. The problem with luggage is that the handle is not long enough for comfortable pushing. Best thing is to get somebody else to drag the luggage. That is what my wife does.

If you have a long layover somewhere it's entertaining to watch people manage their luggage/kids/traveling companions. I cannot believe the cr*p people haul around!

I noted many flight crew use the palm up method so I changed and now do this too with my 21" 2-wheeler from RS. It is better for my shoulder and arm and less tiring. I did also find that this case does not work for long distances with an extra piece slid over the handle. I do better using an Op-Tech strap on the RS Veloce and wear it cross-body, then pull the carry on with palm up.

I also find it quite entertaining to see how people manage luggage. On many occasions, I just wince, especially when I see people attempting to load themselves and their 2-3 LARGE suitcases onto the train.
I learned my lesson years ago when I thought I was packing light. I was in Vernazza and I swear it took me forever to haul myself and my 24" roller up the 1/2 mile of stairs (well it seemed like it at the time) to my hotel room. The case itself must have weighed 15lbs empty. Now I go with a 21" Travelpro spinner and a small messenger type bag for every trip. No problem with stairs or cobblestones. The spinner is great for trains and getting through the people/luggage in the aisles. Still struggle with packing more than I need though especially with personal care items. One thing I have difficulty finding in Europe, esp Italy, are travel size toothpaste, lotion, hair care products so I tend to bring enough for the trip. I also tend to overpack reading material. Got to get over needing real books vs using my Kindle.

Cbroch......or take a couple of paperback books you are willing to leave behind at yr accommodation