The Leather Carry On is Making A Comeback

The leather carry on has always been a practical, stylish, and durable means of carrying, protecting and organizing documents, books, gadgets and other travel essentials.  Travelers could settle in to a long flight, making their time more productive and the flight seem shorter by  opening a book, pulling out a lap top, pursuing important documents,  and /or playing games on their cell phone.  

The traveler was then ready to leave the airport and by-pass long lines waiting to retrieve checked luggage. The person keeping business appointment was ready to walk from the plane to the taxi, to the appointment , in style and with all their work remaining organized and protected. That all changed when America was attacked by terrorists on 911.

 The increased security demands required travelers to check more luggage and carry on fewer travel necessities.  The Transportation and Safety Administration experimented with amounts of liquids, that could be carried-on, banning personal hygiene utensils such as safety razors and nail clippers, and so on.  They banned any liquids for a while and then determined a method of "3-1-1." Lines formed as the TSA requested that travelers arrive two hours prior to a flight so they could pass through the extensive check-in process.  Lines of weary travelers had to wait to take their already-checked luggage to the scanners, while TSA personnel loaded the heavy bags onto conveyers to go through ex-ray and gun powder sensing scanners.

Within the past few years, several airlines have discovered they can bait and switch by advertising low air fares and subsequently charging for checked  bags.  More than a few travelers wondered if the government was attempting to boost the travel industry by making it difficult to carry-on luggage and personal items. Check before you book your flights to determine if your carrier does charge for checked luggage.  While you are determining that, ask how much the weight limit per checked bag.  You might have to pay $50 to $175.00 per heavy suitcase.  You can purchase on-line, a luggage scale.  It is worth the effort and low initial cost of under $20.00.  Allow for at least a 5% margin of error, as the scales at check-in might weigh a little heavy.
 
Once again, travelers are realizing they can choose the right leather carry on, organize it efficiently, and breeze through security checks at the airports. Call or search on line ahead of time to determine if your carrier charges for carry on items, and their size restrictions.  Make sure you pack it according to TSA requirements.  Then organize and your documents, gadgets, laptop or cell phone in a leather briefcase, portfolio, carry on bag, backpack, satchel or duffel and enjoy your flight.  Leave the plane and connect with friends and family, business appointments, or vacation in style and comfort. Finding the leather carry on is the right choice for those who want to carry, organize, and protect their travel essentials in style, with a product that will improve with age.

What is Tuscany Living?

Welcome to the first or inaugural installment of Tuscany Living - Thanksgiving night, November 24, 2011.

Tuscany Living is more about an attitude than a place.  Yes, the attitude is inspired by the Tuscany legend, the romanticized idea that life in one place might be better, or more interesting than life in any other place.  Life is what you make it.  So, Tuscany Living is more of an attitude than a location.  For those of you old enough to remember, James Taylor sang of being somewhere in his mind:

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Tuscany Living would be going to Italy in my mind.  In Tuscany you would imagine building a terrace with native stones instead of landscaping timbers or railroad ties.  In Tuscany you would take the time and effort to brew an espresso rather than drip a pot of decaf, or stir a cup of instant.  Tuscany living would mean choosing the perfect grapes and letting the wine age properly.  Life in Tuscany would mean meticulously building a brick, wood-fired pizza oven, and taking the time and effort to preheat it before cooking your own pizza.  Tuscany living would be finding and carrying the perfect leather bag, backpack, or briefcase rather than settling for rip-stop nylon or a vinyl case.

I am going to commit to a one year blog project in which I post my thoughts, get your thoughts and opinions, and we go from there.  I can not promise to blog every day, but I will attempt to be consistent.  My goal, Lord willing, is to visit Tuscany, Italy, and write about the actual experience rather than just going to Tuscany in my mind. 

Jerry making pizza for the family in his wood-fired pizza oven.  Yes, he built it.  He was a shop teacher.