Pilot in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic Pilot in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic. Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Marigold (yellow with light yellow grid) 210 Cerylon interior. Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Sangria (red with red grid) 210 Cerylon interior. Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Black Ballistic with grey label. Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Sangria (red with red grid) 210 Cerylon interior. Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior. Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey with light blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. Pilot in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey with light blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic. Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic with Moab (brick red with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Burnt Orange 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Burnt Orange 1050 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Coyote (tan) 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Coyote (tan) 1050 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Steel (medium grey) 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Steel (medium grey) 1050 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Verde (green) 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Verde (green) 1050 Ballistic with Steel (dark grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Black 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Black 1050 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Navy (dark blue) 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Navy (dark blue) 1050 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. Pilot in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) 1050 Ballistic. Pilot in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. Pilot in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. Pilot in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Night Walk (grey-blue with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. Pilot in Night Walk (grey-blue with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Pilot in Original (black with white grid) 400 Halcyon.
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Pilot

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
109 Reviews

$181.00

Personal item carry-on travel bag/laptop briefcase.

13 liters / 800 cu. in.

Burnt Orange Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Aubergine Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Aubergine Ballistic/Marigold 210 Cerylon
Black Ballistic/Island 200 Halcyon
Constellation Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Ursa Ballistic/Dusk 210 Cerylon
Taiga 400 Halcyon/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Black Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Deep Blue Ballistic/Moss 210 Cerylon
Nebulous Grey Ballistic/Island 200 Halcyon
Close shot of the zipper on the Pilot. Overhead shot of the Pilot. The main pocket of the Pilot with a laptop. A close shot of the Pilot side pocket zipper. The side compartment of the Pilot with a notepad and marker inserted into the interior pocket. The side compartment of the Pilot with phone and pen inserted into the interior pockets. A reverse shot of the Pilot. A close shot of the snaphook attachment point with a snaphook attached. A close shot of the zipper of the main compartment of the Pilot. The Co-Pilot and Pilot side-by-side.
A person carrying a Pilot. Profile shot of a person carrying a Pilot. A person carrying a Pilot through the airport. A person carrying a Pilot. A profile shot of a person holding a Pilot. A person holding a Pilot. A ski trip loadout.
Thumbnail for a video of the Pilot.

TLDR

We sized up the original Co-Pilot and created the Pilot to accommodate a 13" laptop and other larger tablets for both travel and everyday carry.

Not only does the Pilot have 30% more volume, but we've also developed ways to maximize its utility:

  • 7 total interior organizational pockets
  • Main compartment with 2 open-top pouches inside and 2 O-rings
  • Front left zippered compartment with pocket sized to fit an iPad Mini and O-ring
  • Front middle zippered compartment with an O-ring and grommet on the bottom
  • Front right zippered compartment with small organizational pocket and 1 O-ring with a Key Strap
  • Open-top quick-access pocket in the back for a magazine or newspaper
  • Optional rolling luggage handle pass-through when quick-access pocket is unzipped
  • Shoulder strap attachment points on the left and right
  • Comfortable handle padded with PORON® foam
  • Meets the personal item size requirement on most airlines

Full Description

The Pilot was designed to fit the travel essentials — the items that should be easily accessible during your flight or at the airport. It's a personal carry-on that is a natural complement to our larger Techonaut, Aeronaut, Tri-Star, Synik, and Western Flyer carry-on travel bags.

Main Compartment With 2 Open-Top Pouches + 2 O-rings

The main compartment comes with 2 open-top pouches of equal size and 2 O-rings so that you can attach a Key Strap or organizational pouches like the Clear Organizer Pouch, Double Organizer Pouch, or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouch.

Unlike the Co-Pilot, the Pilot can fit laptops up to 13" even inside a Cache (The Pilot does not have a built-in laptop pocket, so we do recommend getting a Cache for extra protection).

Three Front Zippered Pockets

There are three front zippered pockets, each with an O-ring inside. The front left compartment has a pocket sized to fit an iPad Mini (with or without its SmartCase) or a similar sized tablet. Use the remaining open space of this pocket for other stuff or pack a toiletry kit inside this compartment like the 3D Clear Organizer Cube. You can clip a long Key Strap to the O-ring so that you can attach the Cube; at the security checkpoint, you can unzip the front pocket and remove the Cube, but leave it tethered to the bag, ensuring you know exactly where it is.

The middle front compartment is designed to fit a small water bottle or compact folding umbrella. The bottom has a grommet so any condensation, spills, or leaks won't puddle in the bag. A Size 2 Travel Stuff Sack also fits nicely in this pocket.

The front right compartment has a small organizational pocket sized to fit most phones and three pen pockets (wide enough to fit Sharpies and highlighters). The O-ring inside includes a 8" Key Strap.

Wide Open-Top Pocket + Luggage Handle Pass-Through On The Back

The back of the Pilot features a wide, open-top pocket for a magazine or newspaper. The bottom of this pocket zips open so that you can slide the bag over the handle of rolling luggage. Fits luggage handles up to 2" wide.

Shoulder Strap Attachment Points

Shoulder strap attachment points are on the left and right sides of the Pilot. Our Standard Shoulder Strap is included with the bag, but you can upgrade to our Absolute Shoulder Strap.

Main Compartment With 2 Open-Top Pouches + 2 O-rings

The main compartment comes with 2 open-top pouches of equal size and 2 O-rings so that you can attach a Key Strap or organizational pouches like the Clear Organizer Pouch, Double Organizer Pouch, or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouch.

Unlike the Co-Pilot, the Pilot can fit laptops up to 13" even inside a Cache (The Pilot does not have a built-in laptop pocket, so we do recommend getting a Cache for extra protection).

Three Front Zippered Pockets

There are three front zippered pockets, each with an O-ring inside. The front left compartment has a pocket sized to fit an iPad Mini (with or without its SmartCase) or a similar sized tablet. Use the remaining open space of this pocket for other stuff or pack a toiletry kit inside this compartment like the 3D Clear Organizer Cube. You can clip a long Key Strap to the O-ring so that you can attach the Cube; at the security checkpoint, you can unzip the front pocket and remove the Cube, but leave it tethered to the bag, ensuring you know exactly where it is.

The middle front compartment is designed to fit a small water bottle or compact folding umbrella. The bottom has a grommet so any condensation, spills, or leaks won't puddle in the bag. A Size 2 Travel Stuff Sack also fits nicely in this pocket.

The front right compartment has a small organizational pocket sized to fit most phones and three pen pockets (wide enough to fit Sharpies and highlighters). The O-ring inside includes a 8" Key Strap.

Wide Open-Top Pocket + Luggage Handle Pass-Through On The Back

The back of the Pilot features a wide, open-top pocket for a magazine or newspaper. The bottom of this pocket zips open so that you can slide the bag over the handle of rolling luggage. Fits luggage handles up to 2" wide.

Shoulder Strap Attachment Points

Shoulder strap attachment points are on the left and right sides of the Pilot. Our Standard Shoulder Strap is included with the bag, but you can upgrade to our Absolute Shoulder Strap.

Materials

Exterior Fabrics

bluesign® certified 525d High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon
— or —
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified Ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop

Interior Fabrics

bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200 denier Japanese Halcyon/nylon ultralight ripstop
— or —
bluesign® certified 210 denier Cerylon 6,6 Ripstop nylon

Zippers

#8 and #10 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers

Handle

PORON® foam padded handle

Other Components

Tough Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components

Specs

Dimensions

15.4" (w) x 11.4" (h) x 5.1" (d) / 390 (w) x 290 (h) x 130 (d) mm

Weight

525d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 1 lbs 5 oz / 595 grams
525d high tenacity ballistic nylon, with Standard Strap: 1 lbs 10.8 oz / 760 grams
400d Halcyon®/420d nylon ripstop: 1 lbs 1.8 oz / 475 grams
400d Halcyon®/420d nylon ripstop, with Standard Strap: 1 lbs 6.6 oz / 640 grams

Volume

13 liters / 800 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)

Total O-Rings

5 (2 in the main compartment, 1 in the left zippered pocket, 1 in the water bottle pocket, 1 in the right zippered pocket)

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 109 reviews
100%would recommend this product
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109 reviews
  • Amy
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, Compact
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, Compact
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The perfect minimalist overnight bag

    I bought this to use as a super-minimalist bag for a quick weekend plane trip, where my Synik 30 would have been too big. Going through airport security has never been easier! While everyone else fiddled with overstuffed backpacks and rolling luggage in the security line, I breezed through at lightning speed with just this little bag. I sprang for the absolute shoulder strap, and it was well worth it – it really does lighten the load. I am a 5’3” woman and I never felt like the Pilot was too big or bulky.

    For my weekend trip, I packed a shirt, pajamas, socks, and underwear in the main compartment, along with my Bose headphones and two 3D Organizer pouches in the inner pockets for liquids and makeup. One front pocket carried miscellaneous essentials and the other carried my phone, wallet, keys, and books for the plane. The water bottle pocket is a game changer. The entire bag fits under the plane seat, keeping everything at hand during the flight and also saving time not having to pull your bag down from the overhead compartment upon landing.

    I didn’t travel with any technology – no laptop or tablet – and it probably would have been too much to pack all of the above with any sort of tech. But for me, it was a fun challenge to see how lightly I could pack! As a business briefcase, a personal item, or packed out for an entire weekend, the Pilot is built to last and has more organization than you can shake a stick at.

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  • Rafael Martinez de C.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
    9 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Pilot flight bag

    As a corporate pilot for more than 14 years I’ve been used a lot of flight bags during this time, and believe this one is the one ! Quality, great storage, practicity , comfort and many positive adjectives I can describe to this bag.

    I can list all the stuff fits on it but will be to long.

    It’s perfect for all the storage and all the stuff and gadgets that I need.

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  • Briz G.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design
    8 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect for a one night business trip

    The Pilot is perfect for a one night business trip. I had been using a backpack but found myself carrying it by one strap or trying to carry it by my side. The Pilot is a great replacement. It is also perfectly sized as a personal item for a plane. I take one change of clothes in a packing cube on one side, and my Tom Bihn Standard Spiff kit on the other side. I used a laptop sleeve in the main compartment for the laptop and iPad. I opted for the Absolute strap which made long terminal walking easy. The only addition that would make this bag better would be two o-rings in the open pocket in the back. I could better clip and access a passport pouch in that area. I will be adding organization pouches to fully optimize the bag. Thanks Tom Bihn.

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  • Joshua B.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings
    8 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Great bag—just not quite what I need

    I’m a big fan of this bag. The organization and capacity of it are brilliant—best I have seen. So are the materials, workmanship, and customer service. For me, however, it needs a protective laptop sleeve and more structure so that it holds its shape when carried by the grab handle or set down. Fully loaded, it sags in places and leans or falls to one side. The luggage handle pass-through gapes open. This was true of both the halcyon and ballistic fabric, but less so on the latter. I would strongly recommend this bag if you are not concerned by these issues.

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  • James M.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable
    11 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect carry on

    This is the perfect add on luggage piece to use as a personal item, particularly on flights such as frontier/spirit.

    Was this helpful?
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Sewn in Seattle

Our bags are designed and sewn right here in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

That allows us to be control freaks in the best way possible; we have direct control and oversight of the quality of our materials, our products, and the jobs and working environment that we help create. It also offers us a unique spontaneity: when we have an idea for a new product or accessory, we can design it, figure out how to build it, add it to our website and be ready to ship it out our front door all within just a few weeks. How cool is that?

Intrigued? You can find out more about the unusual way we do business on our Company Philosophy page.

THE BIHN Guarantee

Everything you buy from us here at TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed. We’ve been in business since 1972 and we stand behind what we make.

If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it for free. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or due to other things that are not our fault will be performed, when possible, at a reasonable charge right here in our Seattle factory where your bag was made. Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. Keep in mind that bags and packs are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years and years of hard service.

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