Roll right through airports and onto the plane with the proper bag

By JUDI DASH

It was once said that if humans are so smart, why did it take them thousands of years to put wheels on their suitcases? We've made up for lost time since airline employees popularized the bags two decades ago.

But the truth is that all wheel-aboard bags are not created equal. Some are too big to fit in overhead luggage compartments, despite manufacturers' claims to the contrary. (Most airlines require carry-on bags to measure no more than 45 linear inches - the sum of the length, depth and width of the bag.) Some are too heavy or are badly designed, so they don't maximize space. There are wheel-aboards that make the grade, often with ingenious new features.

Travelpro's Platinum 5 Garments 2 Go rolling bag packs like a garment bag on one side and a suitcase on the other. Unzip one side to find a garment suiter with dual 2-inch hanger clamps (for multiple suits) and a removable extension panel for longer clothes. On the other side, you'll find as big an open space as you would in other wheeled bags. Loads of exterior pockets and interior mesh pockets make organizing easier. The bag is lined with water-resistant material, so a roll in the rain shouldn't spell disaster for your best duds. In black, aspen or red. Size: 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Weight: 9.1 pounds.

But before you shop, here are a few words to the wise:
*Pay attention to the depth. Anything more than 10 or 11 inches thick may not fit in the overhead bin; stuffing outside pockets will make matters worse.

*Beware of the weight when empty; more hardware and more compartments can mean more weight. And remember that in some countries, there's a weight limit even for carry-on luggage.

*Bright colors can be fun, but they make a bag look bigger, and an agent may challenge its qualification as carry-on and make you prove yours is as svelte as you claim it is. Whether price is no object or a key factor, whether you want basic black or polka dot, we have a bag for you.