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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find (small) bags on wheels really annoying

32 replies

Gangle · 06/12/2008 20:44

Have almost been tripped up on these a number of times, mainly because they seem to extend to about 3ft behind someone, which seems really inconsiderate, especially in confined spaces like the tube. Also, most of these bags on wheels seem to be no bigger than my handbag. Can people really not carry their own bags and use up less space? Understand for suitcases etc or for people who aren't able to shoulder a load but not for teeny tiny bags belonging to able bodied adults.

OP posts:
themoon66 · 06/12/2008 20:47

oh dear... just bought my DH one of these for his birthday. It will hold his laptop, files and bits, plus washkit and clothes for a one night stay in London.

Quite heavy with that lot in. He has a bad back and other disabilities.

I thought the bag on wheels was fab idea

prettybutterfly · 06/12/2008 20:50

Just how teeny tiny are these bags? Not sure I know what you mean.

Yurtgirl · 06/12/2008 20:50

moon66 - I bet your dh will love it and find it useful

I have a fab shopping trolley that I use almost every day - Gangle why dont you just look where you are going? Presumably you manage to notice small dogs and pushchairs without a problem whats the difference with a bag on wheels

MorningTownRide · 06/12/2008 20:57

YANBU - people drag these things behind them - not beside them and they are hard to see. And get arsey when you kick them (not deliberately )

Yurt - your bag is probably thigh height.

Original poster
Gangle · 06/12/2008 20:57

If you're rammed into a small space, like the tube, it's quite annoying when someone hogs a whole area around them with their bag. I carry a handbag, bag with laptop and documents and a separate bag with breast pump, and seem to manage. And you can't always see it because it's floor level, totally not the same with small dogs or pushchairs. Incidentally, I've yet to see a small dog at rush hour on the Victoria line.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 06/12/2008 20:58

Ds has one.
I try to put the shopping in it, but he won't let me, the little bugger.

Original poster
Gangle · 06/12/2008 21:02

I know other commuters find them a pain in the a*se. It's usually me and about 5 people trying to get around someone and their silly wheely bag.

OP posts:
MorningTownRide · 06/12/2008 21:04

Yep Gangle. But if it's not the tit with the teeny wheely bag it's a tit with a back pack.

ClaireDeLoon · 06/12/2008 21:04

Gangle I agree. If you commute through a busy mainline station the place is full of them, and they do sometimes trip you (and yes I do watch where I'm going thank you).

Gorionine · 06/12/2008 21:06

Isn't the handle sort of telescopic so when you are actually not pulling your" bag on wheels" it looks like just another bag and does not take too much space?

cmotdibbler · 06/12/2008 21:06

I have a tiny suitcase on wheels. I could carry it, but arthritis in my hands a few years ago has left me with problems that mean that carrying anything in my hands for a length of time is very painful. And I can't do shoulder bags of any weight as they cause me to bruise horribly.

I know many people who have briefcases on wheels to save their backs, and don't blame them

prettybutterfly · 06/12/2008 21:08

I'd almost rather work round the wheely bags than the shoulder height ones, which can bump you painfully. Six of one, really.

Yurtgirl · 06/12/2008 21:11

Can anyone find a link as an example of "a silly wheely bag" just so that we know what we are moaning about!

I think what you are really saying is that all people who chose to carry stuff in a different way to you are............ [thinks of appropriate word] um well shouldnt be there...........

ClausImWorthIt · 06/12/2008 21:12

YABU. I often have to travel on the tube with a whole load of work paraphernalia - laptop, camera, external hard disk drives, files, books.

All of which only take up a small amount of space but are very heavy.

I am not supposed to carry heavy weights because I have a shoulder/neck problem.

My only solution is a wheely bag. And they 'naturally' end up behind you - it's very difficult to wheel them beside you.

Just keep your eyes open, stop pushing other people and make allowances for other people.

Original poster
Gangle · 06/12/2008 21:12

Have really painful carpol tunnel in my wrists but still struggle to work and back loaded like a bloody donkey. Every line I get is rammed and just seems unfair to hogg more space than I really need.

OP posts:
ClaireDeLoon · 06/12/2008 21:13

'stop pushing other people'

I missed the bit where the OP said she was pushing people.

Original poster
Gangle · 06/12/2008 21:17

I do keep my eyes open, hence why in my OP I said that I have "almost" been taken out by a number of these bags. I also don't push other people, although I would certainly like to push people who are inconsiderate a*ses. Just find it strange people can't carry their own stuff. I have aches and pains everywhere and still manage with handbag, laptop and breastpump/bottles.

OP posts:
MadMarg · 06/12/2008 21:30

Really Gangle? Then try it for a 3 hour commute with 5 text books, handouts for 100 students, laptop and notes. Then see how long you can carry it for.

MorningTownRide · 06/12/2008 21:34

3 hours Marg? You are Mad.

ChippyMyrrhton · 06/12/2008 21:50

Gangle, if you can't beat them, why not join them? Sounds like a wheely bag would help you

ClausImWorthIt · 06/12/2008 22:13

If you have painful carpal tunnel then you shouldn't be struggling to carry stuff anyway.

Don't be a martyr!

People don't take up space unnecessarily or to be deliberately selfish. They're all trying to get somewhere, just like you are.

Original poster
Gangle · 06/12/2008 22:53

People aren't deliberately selfish? Really? This week alone I have seen two cases of pregnant women not been offered a seat and one case of a woman on crutches not being offered a seat. I would strongly disagree with you that people aren't selfish, deliberately or otherwise! I am also trying to get somewhere but don't believe in inconveniencing others as I do it. I wouldn't get one myself on the basis that a) one would slow me down b) inconvenient to others and c) look ridiculous.

OP posts:
ClausImWorthIt · 07/12/2008 10:26

Sorry - I meant that by taking a case on wheels they aren't trying to be deliberately selfish.

Yes, the whole 'not offering a pregnant woman a seat' is a totally different ballgame!

I'm worried that you're thinking about how you look more than you're concerned about a medical condition that you're suffering from, though.

MoChan · 07/12/2008 10:35

I've got a laptop bag on wheels, and it's pretty small.

Two reasons.

I use it because these days I'm usually babywearing, and it's really hard to shoulder a bag when you're doing that.

But, more importantly, in my younger days, I did used to shoulder my laptop bag and spent a lot of time in agonising back/shoulder pain as a result. Which is why I don't think it's unreasonable for people to have small bags on wheels, frankly. Why should people suffer if they don't have to?

What is unfair is if they are not careful with them. I am always very careful with mine.

duke748 · 07/12/2008 10:36

Hmmmm.

Against .... when people take up too much room without thinking of others - it is annoying.

For... just been on holiday with one of these and managed to put all my stuff in hand luggage and miss out on waiting around for luggage at airports!

Just my (entirely useless) two pennies worth.