HIGH TAIL IT When luggage is a drag

Posted on 07/27/2016

If dragging a wheelie suitcase behind you is just too much of a drag and you need to free up your hands for all the urgent multi-tasking we have in today’s jam-packed world - checking messages, texting, playing Pokemon Go, sipping Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte while navigating our way through a busy airport – here is the solution – a tail.

Not a long tail, just a smallish (22 centimeter) hard plastic tail that is tucked into your belt or waistband – the other end holds the handle of your wheelie.
That’s it - simple – off you go. Hey, you could even stroll about playing the guitar with your luggage trailing (tailing) along behind you.
The product is My Hitch, designed by 53-year-old Florida-based airline pilot, Robert Lian and selling for a very reasonable US $17.95 on mybaghitch.com
The site says, “You can carry one roller board weighing 25 lbs. or less. My Hitch is designed for travellers wearing a belt or a tight waistband. Travellers without a belt have enjoyed using My Hitch by either wearing their tightest pair of jeans or a tight skirt (though perhaps not the most comfortable apparel for sitting on an airplane seat for several hours). Moving My Hitch to one side makes it fit tighter.”
For obvious reasons it’s not recommended for use with elastic topped pants and, even without elastic waistbands, the inventor warns there is a ‘slight tug’ with each step. Whether those tugs will eventually have your pants or skirt at your knees was not mentioned.
Lian says My Hitch is "designed for travellers who frequent large airports and have long walks to the gate." But do remember to switch to hand-pull mode at stairs and escalators.
There’s no need to worry about corners and turning - apparently My Hitch will even let you walk in circles (not that we are recommending this – but you could – if you wanted).
And don’t worry about someone sneaking up behind you, Lian says "Even with your bag directly behind you, if someone tried to unzip your bag, you would definitely feel it."
So there you have it. Add tail. Free hands.