@pratik I've never taken an international flight to/from Austin, but I have taken domestic flights and picked up friends from that airport a few times. I found it to be small relative to the city it serves, so I'm not surprised to hear about the long international delay on arrival. Which other airports do Austinites typically fly out of for international destinations? Going through San Antonio is usually more (or the most) expensive ticket-wise, isn't it?
@val This was our first time landing directly in Austin too. We had flown in from Toronto last year but the immigration check was done there so we landed as domestic passengers. Usually Texans rely on DFW or Houston as international entry points but I hate to have connections once you enter the country but now thinking maybe we should.
@pratik When we went to Spain back in 2015 we managed with only carry-on bags. It helped that it was summer so we didn't need lots of heavy clothes.
@pratik The amount of time you need to walk in DFW / Houston from gate to immigration me feels would take longer than time you spend just standing at Austin!
@Miraz it’s doable if you have access to laundry. Traveling with a kid does make it challenging though. We need to still figure out only carrying 100ml toiletries
@supremus I swear! Sometimes for within-Texas work flights (yes, only in Texas), we have to often transit via DFW and often wonder if they’re making us walk to Austin instead of to another plane.
@pratik And I can never get over George Bush "Intercontinental" airport. Cuz you know, international just ain't cutting it for Texas!
@pratik I once did SYD-DFW, and I honestly felt more tired walking in the airport than the 18 hour flight.
@pratik Yes, we were just two adults. We also used the principle of buying some things when we got there, eg shampoo.
@pratik you are a brave man, taking photos in that corridor. The security guards in the US scare me. That corridor could have been me in line for an hour in JFK or Newark. Having my photo taken and finger print on a crummy and dirty scanner. As a cyber security consultant, I felt sick to the stomach regards my privacy. You get treated so differently when you travel on your own with a backpack compared to with your family.
@Pilchuck @Miraz After your replies, my wife and I chatted about why we couldn’t go sans checked-in luggage too. Turns out, we definitely can. We’ll have to only customize our toiletries bags and get new luggage. Our big bag is on its last legs anyway (14 years old) so why buy another? Also, our son is older so can expect him to wheel his own bag with a ‘personal item’ backpack 🤗
@Munish I’ve gotten braver as my immigration status as changed. Almost ranted at an airport employee before quickly realizing it’s not his fault. Complained to the airport, airlines, and even Richard Branson via Twitter.
I completely understand the plight of a brown person’s flying travails. I’ve had my share of them including once having to unpack my carry-on at the gate after all my fellow passengers had boarded and then doing the walk of embarrassment to my seat in the back as everyone still wondering if I had a boxcutter stashed elsewhere.
@pratik Deb and I have the Tom Bihn Aeronaut bags, sized to fit inside the plane. Mine was the 45, Deb's the 30. They seemed to always have room for one more little thing. Tom Bihn make fabulous bags if you are looking at new bags.
@pratik Unsolicited bag recommendation: Another bag sized to fit under airplane seats is the GoRuck GR1. It has a little bit of a military aesthetic, but if you can get past that, it’s like an absolutely rugged little suitcase you can wear. It’s not a hard shell but it has tons of padding.
@pratik Well, a soft bag can be squished into an awkward space. Any 'fragile' items can be packed in the middle.
@supremus @pratik I did that DWF to SYD flight, too, on a 787 Dreamliner. Fabulous flight. But the airport walking was tiring.
@pgkr No such thing as unsolicited. Thanks for the pointer. Definitely looks rugged and tough. However, I've been looking for a smaller sleeker backpack for vacations. Ideally, something like a slingbag.
@jessekelber @Pilchuck @pratik @Miraz What’s the best shoulder/cross-body Tom Bihn bag for a 12.9 iPad?
@pimoore @Pilchuck @pratik @Miraz I love my Maker Bag for everything. I carry my iPad Air with and without the magic keyboard/cover in it all the time. Also look at the Large Cafe Bag for a slightly smaller option that still has room for the Pro, and they make a sleeve called the Cache that has a size for every iPad model and then some.
@jessekelber @pratik @miraz I love my Synik for travel. I sometimes think it is a bit big around town, but as a travel bag it is great.
@pimoore @jessekelber @Pilchuck @pratik Wow, it was June 2011 when I bought the now discontinued Ristretto for carrying an iPad. Today I've been carrying my 13" MacBook Pro in it as I went on errands. It could do with being maybe 1" taller for this computer but it's fine as is. Looks like the Maker Bag would be a very good choice. Two things about Tom Bihn bags: 1] they are stunningly good quality and 2] if you had any questions the Tom Bihn staff would answer them for sure.
@jessekelber That would be fatal for me! I already have a load of their bags and accessories but would love to buy more!
@jessekelber @Miraz @Pilchuck @pratik I should not be allowed within three city blocks of that store. 😂
@Miraz @jessekelber @pilchuck @pratik What’s the opinion on the Daylight Briefcase? There are only a few left on the site, so I’m assuming it’s being phased out?
@pimoore I love 'em. I would have gone that route, except for wanting that little bit more room the Maker brings. I think it's only some colors that are running low, they'll likely go back into the queue for production later in the year.
@jessekelber Yeah I saw when I clicked on a different the message went away. I’m assuming the Maker bag would also work for a 12.9 iPad?
@pimoore Definitely! I carry my 13" MBA in a sleeve on occasion, fits fine. More often it's my iPad Air w/either a case and separate keyboard, or the Magic Keyboard/case. That, a notebook, a book, AND a Lochby Venture Case all fit comfortably.
@jessekelber Thanks Jesse, I think it will be either the Maker or the Daylight. I will say I like the look of the Maker even more, but that’s splitting hairs if I’m being honest. 😆
@pimoore I get it. But don't discount your gut reaction to liking one over the other. You're going to carry it every day, it helps if you don't look at your bag and go, "ugh." 😉
@Pilchuck @jessekelber Thanks for this feedback, I don’t like the sounds of that considering the nature of the cargo I’d have in there. With Jesse’s help I was already leaning toward the Maker anyway. 😉
