Andrew Kay: Baggage

Writing as I did about changes in circumstance and scaling down, also reminded me that packing is an imminent chore. Having rationalised radically will no doubt ease the strain next time, but there will still be a need for an array of sturdy boxes of an appropriate size. I learned many years ago that a big box is not a good thing when it comes to packing heavy objects and that lots of small ones are far preferable.

I rather like packing and as a consequence I have developed a strange love of luggage. It goes back to my childhood when my father was travelling the world for work. Australia, India, Mexico, France, Belgium, South Africa… he was indeed an early jet-setter.

The company he worked for would furnish him with suitable luggage of a durable nature for each trip, Globetrotter and Samsonite usually. Globetrotter were the hefty options that he required for his long trips away; Samsonite always that bit more stylish.

But nothing was as stylish as the airline’s own inflight bag. They really did have kudos, a style statement that said ‘I’m a jet-setter’. The arrival of his flight tickets, visas and travel itinerary would always be accompanied by the new inflight bag.

“I did at one time inherit a vintage satchel in deep conker-coloured leather, but its capacity was woefully inadequate”

Now as a schoolboy I was never a lover of the satchel or briefcase option. I did at one time inherit a vintage satchel in deep conker-coloured leather, but its capacity was woefully inadequate. Whereas the inflight bag was a capacious beast, and a real object of both desire and envy.

I remember well walking to school with a BOAC or a BEA bag slung nonchalantly over my shoulder and once with an even more stylish Air India number – that one really drew a lot of attention.

The BOAC bags were the best though, dark blue with a white logo, and it stayed clean whereas some of the others in lighter colours would look dirty far sooner.

By the time I was in my early teens the international trips had tapered off and with that the supply of bags. At this point I rebelled and started to use carrier bags to carry my bags back and forth to school. It was, in a way, a statement, but a statement that made me look particularly shabby. The truth was, that after those stylish cabin bags, a duffle bag, a ridiculously impractical means of carrying stuff anyway, was simply not an option.

That was no doubt the start of my obsession with nice luggage and since then I have never been satisfied with anything even remotely cheap. It’s a habit that carries an expense but also has its compensations. I sometimes have to control my mirth as I watch cheap luggage on the arrivals carousel that has exploded mid-flight. It’s almost as entertaining as watching the innumerable black bags that have been dollied up with an elasticated rainbow-striped strap for supposed ease of identification.

The first time I saw that I was confused. Surely there had not been that many gay passengers on the one flight?
I now own several suites of stylish modern luggage, designed for all occasions – from wash-bags to rigid cases, and all made by the one company: Samsonite. It’s my choice and as yet they have never let me down. If only I ever had the opportunity – or the cash – to use them all in one grand tour. Now that would be fun.

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