Tumi introduces the Tumi Alpha Collection
Tumi’s Alpha Collection incorporates 25 years of style, design and innovatio
n. The new Tumi Alpha Collection is the rare combination of true, classic style with futuristic design. Alpha clearly demonstrates both Tumi's iconic style and their design ingenuity. The Alpha Collection design anticipates customers' needs to streamline both travel and business experiences. Tumi's newest addition falls into two lines: the Tumi Alpha Travel Collection and the Tumi Alpha Business Collection. According to Tumi… “Alpha styles are lighter and more durable because of superior materials, construction and overall design. Inspired by aeronautics, automotives and sports, Tumi’s components reach a new level of excellence in the Alpha Collection.”
With the introduction of the Alpha Collection, Tumi continues to set the standard. And, this time, Tumi has set the bar high… out of reach for even the most innovative luggage and business case designers and manufacturers.
“Tumi continues to set the standard with exclusive, custom-designed precision systems and components” (aka as the top 12 design innovations that sets Tumi apart from the others… or the real reasons to buy a Tumi)
1) FXT Ballistic Nylon combines the most durable ballistic woven nylon with a water-resi
stant backing and a special fabric coating… for long lasting, durable and virtually waterproof finish that will look good and keep your belongings dry. 2) Select styles are available in our exclusive soft, supple and durable glove tanned leather that will burnish to a beautiful patina over time. Alpha Leather is thicker than previous Tumi leather products and is a vastly superior material.
3) Tumi's trademark U-zip pockets offer a wide-mouth opening to large, deep capacious pockets…who doesn’t need or want bigger, better and more accessible pockets?
4) Tumi claims to make the best handle system in the industry. Tumi’s push-button, telescoping handle incorporates aircraft grade aluminum to ensure maximum strength…finally a handle that will withstand the pressures and damage of traveling.
5) Tumi has an easy, pop-up expansion frame is made of sturdy ABS honeycomb…finally an expansion frame that is both durable and functional!
6) Omega 2010 is Tumi’s patented zipper system. It has specially designed pullers engineered to break away if caught in a conveyor…zippers are usually the first thing to go… maybe Tumi has something here.
7) Tumi’s Add-A-Bag strap enables multiple bags to be carried at once…ok, not unique to Tumi, but it sure is nice.
8) Tumi’s integrated wheels and skids act as structural components to strengthen the construction of packing cases… hmmm, sounds good. Anything to make add strength but not weight. 9) Tumi’s laptop padding uses compressed foam to cradle computers…protection from the most potentially damaging situations.
10) Tumi’s Alpha Collection has ballistic accessory pouches are included with laptop computer bags...great for the extra storage compartments that you’ll need.
11) Tumi has their own safe and secure TSA combination locks offer peace of mind to the frequent flyer…necessary in today’s world.
12) The Tumi Tracer program is designed to help reunite you with your lost bags…a great innovation for lost bags.
Tumi is the leading international brand of luxury travel, business and lifestyle accessories. Since its founding in 1975, Tumi's commitment to design excellence, functional superiority and technical innovation has made it the brand of choice for the world's most discerning and demanding consumers. Today, Tumi's award-winning products range from luggage, business cases and handbags to wallets, writing instruments and watches.
Shop all Tumi Alpha Business Collection
Shop All Tumi Alpha Travel Collection
Luggage... a Little Travel Humor
Nearly everyone who travels frequently has a war story about their luggage… lost, broken, maimed, damaged, missing parts, whatever. You may arrive soundly at your destination, but until you actually see your checked bag rolling around at the airline carousel, there is always that nagging feeling of 'will it appear and in what condition'. Here are a couple of funny videos you might enjoy that were found on YouTube.
Have a good laugh over something that concerns all of us… (note: this runs a couple of minutes, but it is a good laugh).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEL3kZKHfds
Now you’ll know why your bag didn’t arrive, as scheduled…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwi0Zh-QuIs&feature=related
You probably know the feeling as you stood and waited hopelessly watching the carousel...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NmlKbKl-AY&NR=1
Now you know why your luggage needs repair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caxc48Ig44I&feature=related
Kids Luggage - Whimsical and Functional
From the time my son was two he wanted to do everything for himself… whether he actually cou
ld or not was irrelevant. Traveling through airports became especially hard, given the distance, little legs and the size of the bags. Usually by the time we reached the gate we were exhausted, frustrated and the enthusiasm for toting the luggage had waned (for both of us). So, what’s the solution?Child’s Luggage… Appropriately Sized and Designed to Work!
Thank goodness for kids luggage! Several top luggage manufacturers now offer appropriately-sized wheeled luggage, carry-ons, backpacks and duffels. With whimsical designs
, these miniature versions of adult luggage have caught on with the ‘do-it-yourself’ kids. Samsonite has Sammies; Mercury offers the ‘Goin’ to Grandma’s’ collection, Wildkin offers a gender appropriate sport collection and Skyway has a boy’s and a girl’s collection. Kids can choose from wheeled duffels and wheeled backpacks to duffel bags, backpacks and simple totes. These bags won’t carry as much as the adult version, but then again, kid’s clothes are typically smaller. 
Maybe, just maybe, having their own bag to carry might make the journey a little easier, for both of you.
Duffels... The New Luggage?
It used to be that duffels (aka gym bags… if you are 50+) were limited to transporting workout clothes and equipment to games or health club. Now, however, duffels seem to be popping up everywhere… as a favorite of both the sports enthusiast as well as the frequent (and casual) traveler. Add a few inline wheels and a little bit of styling and voila… you’ve got the perfect carry-on! The traditional luggage companies (Travelpro, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, Tumi, Boyt, Victorinox) have taken notice, but leading the way are companies like: High Sierra, Eagle Creek and Kipling. Here are a few of our favorites…
The Perfect Carry-On:
Lightweight, easy to maneuver and very stylish, wheeled duffels are rapidly becoming a favorite carry-on among travelers. Plus, duffels (especially the expandable ones) seem to hold an enormous amount of whatever your travel needs require. One of the most popular wheeled duffel is from High Sierra’s ATQ collection. High Sierra advertises this as ‘three bags in one… wheeled upright, a duffel or a backpack.” The styling may be perfect for the casual traveler, but this bag will hold up to the rigors of any road warrior. The 22”
carry-on size retails at $280, but is available at under $140. Good-bye gym, hello airline.
Women’s Duffels
Take notice…women’s duffels are elegant, sleek and the perfect traveling companion. Two favorite styles are from Ricardo of Beverly Hills and French Luggage. These both have classic looks and styling, inline skate wheels for maneuverability and are sized for airline carry-on. Who wouldn’t look great with one of these duffels?
Leather Duffels …there is nothing like the look and feel of leather. Piel Leather, Clava Leather, Tumi and David King all offer luxurious duffels in beautiful, top quality leather. Convenience, luxury, elegance and style…what more could you ask?
Most duffels have all the convenience of the traditional carry-on bag, plus more. The top brands have pockets for tickets, cell phones and many even have a separate compartment for your laptop. So, the next time you are thinking about buying luggage, take a look some of the new styles of duffels. You might be very pleasantly surprised.
Korchmar's Best Selling Business Case
According to representatives at Korchmar (also known for for their popular Schlesinger brand), their
largest selling laptop / business case is the Adventure Collection Flapover Litigator Briefcase (KR BR SF1093). This beautiful laptop case is made from oil-tanned antique leather. It has a wonderful soft-as-butter feel to it, but you’ll know the moment that you pick it up, this is a sturdy, long lasting, durable business case. The roomy interior will accommodate a laptop with up to a 17” screen and is lined with a washable nylon lining. The expandable exterior pockets are perfect for cell phones, pda… virtually any business accessory. You don’t need to be a ‘litigator’ to appreciate the many refinements: top grain leather, padded handle or the ‘quick –release’ buckle adjusters for expansion. As your trusted companion in meeting after meeting and on long road trips, this business case projects an image of success. If you are looking for an executive laptop case -that reflects your professionalism (and accommodates all your business needs)- this may be the perfect case. After all, it is Korchmar’s top seller!
New from Ricardo of Beverly Hills and International Traveller... High Fashion Meets Luggage
How much time have you spent watching the luggage carousel at the airport go ‘round and ‘ro
und with the seemingly endless flow of the same-looking black luggage? There is the occasional dark green or tan bag and the occasional neon luggage tag to spice up the endless flow of black. Get ready for some spice at the carousel counter…. Here comes some of the latest luggage fashions. Tumi launched a significant departure from their traditional black and chestnut to introduce Flame in the Tumi T-Tech Pulse collection. Perhaps this is aimed at the young, affluent crowd. This is one bag you will spot on the luggage carousel.
International Traveller took a huge departure from their traditional colors last year to introduce the Dots and Moo collection. This year, seems to be International Traveller’s year of Stripes. While these bags won’t last forever, these are fun, stylish and you’ll be able to spot your bag from across the tarmac. And, since the Dots collection sold well, International Traveller has added the homey colors of Sangria and Green. Better have some Sangria to make the green more palatable.
New from Ricardo of Beverly Hills...
Tailored for the fashionable woman is the new Samora collection from Ricardo of Beverly Hills. This collection has a classic fashion look of striped Jacquard fabric is tightly woven, cotton, acrylic with a rich look - a warm cocoa color- and feel. The Samora Shopping Tote offers style in your every day travels.
Scoring interest with the twenty-something crowd is the Hovercraft from Eagle Creek. Hovercraft is ridiculously well designed and utilizes the popular Eagle Creek Pack-It System. This is lightweight, functional and carries a lifetime warranty. You’ll see quite a lot of Hovercraft accessorizing the suit and tie crowd as well as those traveling in jeans. Eagle Creek Hovercraft is available in tomato (red), tree frog (green), graphite and the latest color: marine (blue). Goodbye dull black case, goodbye red and navy blue… I won’t miss you.
When It Comes to Carry-On Luggage, Size Matters
Carry-On Luggage
For every ticketed passenger, most airlines allow you to bring one piece of ‘carry-on’ luggage in addition to your purse, tote, laptop computer, small backpack or business case. The general rule is that your carry-on luggage must fit in either the overhead bin or under your seat. Airlines have the right to require that any carry-on item travel as a checked bag, at the airline’s discretion.
Carry-on Luggage Sizes:
The basic size rule for carry-ons is: 45 linear inches (height + width + depth). This equals a bag no larger than 22inches tall, 14 inches wide and 9 inches deep. Although weight limitations vary, most airlines allow up to 40 pounds for carry-on luggage.
Checked Luggage:
Airlines have limitations as to how many bags can be checked per ticketed passenger. Currently, most airlines allow each ticketed passenger to check two bags. The size and weight of your checked luggage varies by airline, with additional charges for larger and/or heavier bags (usually over 50 pounds).
The basic rule for the maximum size for checked luggage is: 62 linear inches (height+width+depth).
When Locking Your Bag, Use a TSA Lock
The Transportation Security Authority (TSA) screens every passenger's bag prior to its placement on the airplane. Although the technology allows for electronic screening of each bag, there are times when a piece of luggage needs to be opened and physically inspected. In conjunction with several lock manufacturers, the TSA has specified the use of locks that can be opened using universal "master" key(s). This prevents the need to cut off locks.
TSA locks are available nationwide, including Irv’s Luggage. When choosing a lock, please ensure that the packaging states that it is a TSA approved lock.
Need more information on your specific airline’s travel requirements? Check with your airline for more information.
The Scoop on Carry-On Liquids
(aka: What You Should Know Before You Fly.)
The travel regulations for liquids for carry-on airline travel are really quite simple.According to the TSA* (Transportation Security Administration – part of the US Department of Homeland Security), each passenger may carry on board, 3 ounce bottles of liquids. All carry-on liquids must be stored in a single quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag. There is a limit of one bag per passenger and the bag must be placed separately in the screening bin for inspection. Note that one bag per person will limit the total volume of liquid that may be carried on. The TSA calls their program 3-1-1: three ounces or less, one quart-sized bag to store all liquids and one per passenger.
If you need to carry a larger quantity of liquid or have special needs, the TSA recommends that you separate these items and declare them for inspection at the security checkpoint. For example: Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
TSA approved carry bags for liquids are available at most major luggage retailers including Irv's Luggage and range in price from $6.99 to $15.99. Travelon, Eagle Creek and Tumi offer TSA approved carriers for liquids.
*The TSA, part of the US Department of Homeland Security “protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce”.
If You're Over 50... It Will Cost an Extra $100
Before you burn your AARP card in protest or start screaming ‘age discrimination’, the ‘over 50’ is for your checked luggage that weighs over 50 pounds. In yet another move to irritate the already over-charged, underserved and frustrated passengers, one major U.S. airline announced, effective May 5, the additional charge of $100 for checked bags that weigh more than 50 pounds. On the same date, this same major US airline will also reduce the number of ‘free’ checked bags from two to one. The charge for the second bag (which used to be free) will be $25 if it is less than 50 pounds. Other major U.S. airlines are currently ‘reviewing’ the situation, but will likely follow with similar policies.Reducing the number of checked bags and charging extra for the added weight is not a new idea, nor is it limited to any one of the major airlines. Most major U.S. airlines have weight restrictions and charge for extra bags and extra weight. The logic is simple: transporting fewer bags and reducing the weight of each bag, will reduce the amount of fuel needed for travel. With the ever-rising fuel costs, airlines are seeking ways to reduce overall expenses and generate additional revenue. Fare hikes have continually met with significant resistance, and the additional charge for checked bags is just one way for airlines to recoup/generate additional funds. For those travelers who need more bags or pack to the extreme, the airline will offset the cost of additional fuel through these heightened fees. It is estimated that the additional fees will generate $100 million in revenue for the major airlines.
Airlines typically make policy exceptions for their best customers, the frequent flyers. So for first and business class and the elite in the frequent flyer clubs, the new regulations will likely have no effect. However, for the average traveler… beware of packing too much.
Luggage innovation takes the lead…
Over the last few years, the luggage industry has responded with innovative ideas to help travelers control the weight of their checked bags.
Ricardo of Beverly Hills’ Solutions Collection has a built-in digital scale, allowing travelers to know exactly the total weight of their packed bag before they leave for the airport. This ‘know before you go’ concept has become very popular.
Lightweight luggage has seen a huge resurgence in the recent years. One hard-sided favorite of many international travelers comes from Titan. Titan has long been a European favorite for ‘its cutting edge materials, maneuverability and bold use of color.’ Titan us
es 100% polycarbonate, which they claim is both “long-lasting and more durable than ballistic nylon.” One Titan 21” carry-on weighs as little as 4.6 pounds – less than a bag of flour. Softside luggage offers a lot of lightweight options, including: Delsey’s Helium collection, Briggs & Riley’s Transcend Collection, Eagle Creek’s Centerline Collection. The very popular Hovercraft from Eagle Creek weighs in at 8 lbs 14 ounces for a 25 inch wheeled luggage.
Last, but not least Travelon offers a reasonable alternative… a portable luggage scale. Designed for bags up to 75 pounds and with a selling price of $9.95, this scale perpetuates the ‘know before you go’ concept and can be used on virtually any style of luggage. The latest model Travelon scale also includes a tape measure to check the dimensions of the bag.
So, this latest airline announcement appears to be a case of ‘travelers beware’. US airlines have struggled in recent years. Travelers have seen service cuts (remember the days when we could actually get a hot meal and a beverage on every flight?), significant flight restrictions and now comes the focus on what luggage can be checked, at what weight and at what price. While luggage innovation may help, packing light may be the best solution.
Zuca... The Backpack Alternative
“Dear Backpack… I’m movin’ to a first class seat”
These few simple words are from Zuca and aptly describe the innovation that one vendor is making to address the challenges of the ever increasing load of books, papers, computers, notebooks and equipment that our kids are carrying to school each day. The concept seems so simple:
How can we help our kids comfortably and efficiently lug all their school (or sports) paraphernalia around without developing either a lower back strain or a hunched-over stoop to offset the weight?
Personally, I can relate. My oldest has a minimum of 38 pounds of schoolbooks each day. Add on his tablet computer, assorted notebooks and files of papers and the kid hauls about 45 pounds each day. He weighs 80 pounds; so on any given day he is carrying more than half of his body weight. At this rate, we’ll either stunt his growth or give him permanent back issues.
Here’s what great about Zuca. It’s a reasonable alternative to the traditional backpack. It transports all the books, papers and computers in a durable “lightweight aircraft aluminum frame”. It has oversized urethane wheels (think of very large inline skate wheels) “with dynamic flashing LEDs for night visibility and an interchangeable, washable, water-resistant bag.” The good news is that the Zuca takes the weight off your child’s back.
The best news for the kids is that it looks cool and comes in a huge variety of frame colors (black, grey, red, pink, brown)… and the bag comes in a huge range of colors and styles. Kids can pick from virtually any color in the rainbow, plus designs of flags, camouflage, polka dots, sequins and even a cow print. My teenage daughter changes her bag with her mood, ranging from deep purple to lilac to pink to deep purple again. The in-line skate wheels navigate stairs easily and have flashing LED lights that, depending on the age of the kids ‘look really cool!’
Last, but certainly not least, is the fact that the frame is designed so that kids can sit on it. How many times have you driven to pick up your child and all you see is that tired look of disgust on their face and those dreaded words ‘you’re late.’ Well, what a change when the kids have a cool place to sit. I like to think of it as the ‘best seat in the house’ particularly while mom waits in the dreaded ‘pick-up’ line.
The cost may seem a little pricey, ranging from $130 - $145, but this is one backpack alternative that will be worth the money. It’s durable, fun and literally takes the weight right off your back. Check out the many Zuca styles and choices on our site.
I'd rather my kids develop brain power than brawn power. Zuca is the perfect alternative for school-age kids through college.