[mandelken]

Good tips, although I prefer the hard case carry-on trolley because it will survive the occasional situation where you want to use it as check-in luggage (eg bringing bottles or extra weight) or when it’s forced to be checked in at boarding (happened few times and a cloth trolley does not come out unharmed).

[seer]

Huh, I've had a fabric carry-on trolley that I frequently check in, just to not carry it around if I don't have to. Had it for close to 10 years and it traveled all over Europe, North Africa and Asia (about 30 countries all in all) Recently noticed the handle being a bit wobbly but still workable. I think they are quire sturdy as they flex and bend more easily, and seem a lot harder to "rapture" than thin plastic ones.

[JCharante]

The problem with hard shell cases is that they’ll have the side punched in instead of just bending. Maybe there are some really strong ones that aren’t heavy, but I don’t know. I usually try to travel on widebody planes which usually don’t run out of overhead space unlike narrow bodies or regional planes.

If on a small route in a small plane then it usually isn’t full.

The only time I had to gate check my bag was when I flew on a 9 seater Cessna which required all carry ons to be loaded into the nose. There was trouble confirming the landing gear was down so I was worried my laptops were going to serve as the crumple zone.