FAQ

 

How do I decide which bag to buy?

Really, there are two paths. [1] You can either pick one of the preconfigured bags (the names of those bags all start with the letter "B", or "D", or "R" - like the B7 FLIGHT ), or [2] you can pick your own parts and build your own bag.

We put together the preconfigured bags, each one being a different size from very small to very large, because they make a lot of sense for each size, and they are the ones that people were building for themselves more than any others anywhay. They are popular configurations, so at the very least they serve as logical starting points. And in fact, it's likely that one of those will end up being the one you want.

But of course, you could start with the B7 FLIGHT and then swap out one part or another. Like maybe you want the SIDE POCKET ALPHA instead of the SIDE POCKET FOXTROT. Or maybe you'd prefer the PACK CAP REAR instead of the FLAT CAP REAR.

Just add the bag to your Cart and then use The Builder to make any changes you'd like.

Or, you can start from zero by clicking the "Build a Bag" button in the far upper right corner of the home page.

What will it cost to ship to my location?

Shipping costs will vary depending on the size and weight, the location and whether the address is a business or residence. To obtain shipping options and costs, please select the items you would like and enter your shipping address. Before entering payment information you will be provided all available shipping options and costs.

We ship from the San Francisco Bay Area, USA and any import duties or regional taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. We will pack and ship all orders received by 12 Noon Pacific Time on the same day (M-F excluding holidays) and a confirmation with tracking will be emailed in the evening on the ship day. When ordering over the weekend, or after 12 Noon on Friday will ship the next business day.

Please note that sometimes Ground Shipping can be faster than 3 Day express if your ship address is on the West Coast.

I have my own FedEx/UPS account, can I use it?

Absolutely! Many of our customers are FedEx or UPS pilots with their own shipping account. Please call or email to place your order.

I have an old original BrightLine Bag. Will the new FLEX System modules zip onto my old bag?

No. The new FLEX System modules will not work with the old BrightLine Bags. In 2012 we introduced The FLEX System and the new modules are slightly larger than the original BrightLine Bag modules, and the separation zipper (the zipper that zips each module together) is entirely different on the FLEX System. We had to change the zippers to ensure interchangeability between modules. The new Flex Modules will only work with those pieces that have the small blue FLEX logo tag on them.

My bag has a defect. What do I do?

Go to the “SUPPORT” menu on our home page and choose “Warranty/Returns”. Tell us about your problem and we’ll take care of you. You’ll need to send a photo or two of the affected area, as well as a photo of the square 1-inch white tag found inside each affected component.

My zipper has failed in such a way that the zipper teeth remain “unsealed” both in front of, and behind, the zipper head. What should I do?

This is a very infrequent problem that can occur to any zipper on anything such as jackets and backpacks etc. It turns out that you can very likely fix this yourself with the help of a document we have on our website. Go to the “SUPPORT” menu on the home page and click “Documentation”. Then scroll down near the bottom of the page and find the document titled, “Zipper Repair Trick.pdf”. Click “Download” and save it on your hard drive. If you have any trouble, let us know.

The large plastic-tooth "separation" zipper is a bit hard to work when I'm zipping modules together. The zipper slider seems to want to "catch" and "snag" a little bit while I'm zipping it. What can I do?

Here is a great little "trick" that will really help.

It seems logical and intuitive that you would want to hold the two sides of the zipper teeth close together in front of the zipper slider and “feed” the teeth into the zipper as you try to move the slider over the teeth, but it turns out that the exact opposite works best on this type of zipper.

If you actually spread the two sides of the zipper teeth wide apart in front of the zipper slider and create sort of a “Y” shape going into the zipper slider, then it turns out that the slider moves far easier to “swallow” the teeth and get everything zipped together. This is counter-intuitive, but you’ll find that it’s a great technique for making the seemingly-sticky zipper behave.

With time, as the nylon of the new bag “relaxes” into the new “zipped-together” shape, the zippers will adapt to their new shape and they will become smoother and more cooperative.

I'm an airline pilot and my bag keeps slipping to an "off-center" position on the J-hook hanging off the back of my rolling suitcase. Is there any way to stop this?

Yes, there is. We’ve designed the J HOOK MAIN HANDLE, this handle is designed to center the main handle on the J-Hook and keep it there.

Does the price of a "Configured Bag" represent any savings compared to buying all the parts individually?

No. We priced all the configurations to be the exact sum of the prices of each individual part.

This way, you can swap out parts to build your own perfect bag and you don't have to worry about losing any price advantage.

Is your Bag Waterproof?

It is not waterproof, but it is water resistant. The material itself is highly water resistant, but no zipper can keep water out. So the bag as a whole is not waterproof. It will do fine in brief light rain and with splashes of water, just don't set it outside in a downpour, and don't drop it in your bathtub.

Are you going to make the bag in different colors?

At this time, we are only making the bag in black. Surprisingly, many companies require their employees to carry black bags. As we grow, we will begin to introduce other colors (we're taking requests). However, if you can make an order of 500 or more bags, we can make a special run of any color you want. Know that the lead time is 3-4 months...

Do you sell your bag internationally?

We ship to just about every country in the world right from our shopping cart, and we also have dealers in about 25 countries outside the USA. To find a dealer near you, visit the Find a Dealer page or email us at info@brightlinebags.com.

I live outside the US and want to find out how much it is going to cost for shipping. How do I do this?

Shop for your items and then add the items you wish to purchase to the shopping cart. When prompted to enter your information, do so and hit enter. You will then be given your shipping costs. The transaction will not go through until you accept the total cost. If you accept the cost, hit enter and the transaction will go through. If it doesn’t look good to you, simply leave the shopping cart. You will not be charged for the transaction.

I love your bag, but I want to see it first before I buy it? Where can I see your bag?

We sell The FLEX System through a partnership of retail dealers both domestically and internationally. You can use the Find a Dealer page to locate a dealer near you or email us at info@brightlinebags.com.

I received your bag as a gift, but it isn’t right for me. How do I return it?

If you bought it from BrightLine Bags, simply notify us at info@brightlinebags.com that you would like to return your unused bag back to us. Send the bag back to us and indicate that you are returning the unused bag, along with your phone number and email address. Once we have received the bag, we will credit you the amount of the bag. We may need to contact you to properly apply the credit to the card you used to buy the bag. If you bought it from one of our resellers, please contact them directly as they may have a different return policy.

Why are the zipper pulls color coded?

The color-coded zipper pulls were designed to help you remember where you put specific items. There are a lot of pockets on this bag and we found that the color coding totally helps you remember where you put specific items. There is no specific meaning to the different colors. Every user will pack their bag in their own special way, so every user will be able to establish a system that associates a particular color in a different location with a particular item.

A Zipper Pull broke on my bag. Can I get a replacement?

Yes. Simply send an email to info@brightlinebags.com and indicate which color of zipper pull you need to be replaced. When replacing a zipper pull, using a small screwdriver tip or a small knife blade, carefully and gently open the zipper pull catch tab just enough to remove and replace the zipper pull. The metal on the zipper pull catch tab is quite ductile and can snap if you open it too wide or too quickly. Squeeze the catch gently when closing.

Are there other uses for the bag beside Aviation?

Yes!! Clearly, the FLEX System will work equally well for Pilots, Police Officers, Emergency Medical Personnel, Service Technicians, Transportation Professionals, Photographers, Drone Pilots, Musicians, Businessmen, and Travelers etc. And because every professional is also a traveler, and every professional also has other areas of their lives where a good, organized bag can make a difference, we know that The FLEX System can an invaluable tool in many different ways for almost anyone.

I would like to see a FLEX Module or Pocket geared towards my specific interests. How do I recommend future FLEX Modules or Pockets?

We want to hear your suggestions! FLEX was designed using customer feedback over three years. So, we listen to what you have to say. And to that end, we have established The FLEX Factory. We are in the constant process now of developing and manufacturing a steady stream of new modules and pockets and accessories to extend the functionality of The FLEX System. But no matter what things WE think of, we know YOU will think of new and exciting additions to FLEX. We're committed to turning these ideas into products. Together, we'll make FLEX the bag system by-and-for-the-people. To suggest an idea for a new FLEX module or pocket or accessory, send us an email info@brightlinebags.com and submit your idea. We will be tallying the number of requests we get for each item and then manufacture those with the greatest number of submittals. Get your friends to voice their opinions as well as we will only manufacture a new module if there is demand.

I don’t live in the US, but have a problem with my bag. What do I do?

If you are within the 3-year conditional warranty (See Warranty Info), contact the reseller you purchased the bag from and notify them you have a problem with your bag. If they cannot fix it, they will replace the bag. If you bought the bag from BrightLine Bags, contact us directly at info@brightlinebags.com. Please include a detailed description of the problem, a photo of the problem, where you live, when you purchased the bag. If we cannot fix the bag, we will replace the bag. The customer will be responsible for shipping outside the US.

​How do I become a BrightLine Bags Reseller?

If you are interested in becoming BrightLine Bags Reseller, simply send an email to sales@brightlinebags.com. One of our sales representatives will contact you and forward you the necessary paperwork to get started.

How do I become a BrightLine Bags Affiliate?

Do you have a website or blog that generates a lot of traffic? Want to make some extra money because of the explosive interest in the BrightLine Bags products? Becoming an affiliate may be the answer for you. Affiliates place a link to the BrightLine Bags website on their site. When a user clicks through and purchases a bag from the referral, our shopping cart tallies the sale and gives you a commission. Commissions are paid monthly. It's that simple. Email us at sales@brightlinebags.com to find out about becoming an affiliate.

Is BrightLine Bags on Facebook?

We sure are! Visit the BrightLine Bags Facebook page. Click "Like" or "Follow" and have all new BrightLine Bags information show up in your news feed.

Does the BrightLine Bag have a military application?

Absolutely. The BrightLine Bag is used in flying squadrons throughout the military. With the FLEX System, the applications within the military have grown. Click on our Shooters page for more information.

What is considered “normal” wear and “abnormal” wear?

BrightLine Bags and the FLEX System were designed to effectively and efficiently carry the items you need for your specific mission. Normal wear is the wear that occurs as a result of daily use. Using the bag for what it was designed for. If a bag breaks down through a manufacturing defect during normal use during the 3-year warranty window, one would be eligible for repair or replacement. Abnormal wear is when the bag breaks down due to circumstances outside BrightLine Bags control. Abnormal wear would be dragging the bag, overloading the bag, water damage, fire, being run over, prop strike, animal damage, etc.

Do you offer embroidery?

Note that the Bag is very easy to embroider. For now, we do not offer embroidery, but anyone who offers custom embroidery and embroider their own bag and here's how: If you look closely, you'll discover that the pocket cover of the top-most front pocket on the POCKET CAP FRONT is able to be removed completely. You wouldn't know this as there is a Velcro flap covering it on the bottom of the pocket. Simply unzip the top front pocket cover, take it to your local embroiderer, have it embroidered, and zip it back on. It's that simple. The same thing applies to the top pocket cover on top of the CS11.

I notice that several modules open to the "rear". Which component opens to the front? And is it correct that two rear opening pieces cannot be put together? Specifically the CS2 & CS5? or the CS3 & 5?

You are correct in that every module is "one-directional" or "front-facing". Every module has a front surface and a rear surface.

As such, we had to make some design decisions regarding how they would go together in a configuration to give the best functionality in this realm.

The only two module that opens toward the front are the CS4 and CS5.

The other three modules (CS2, CS3, CS2T) all open towards the rear.

Because of our original non-modular bag, the "Front Bag", which was 4 inches deep (to hold two headsets), the standard got established that the most necessary module for the most pilots (the CS4) would always be assumed to be the front-most module in any configuration (and in fact it would often be carried by itself with two end caps - as the B4 SWIFT). The POCKET CAP FRONT, therefore, attaches to the front panel of the CS4 (which is the panel that opens) and the FLAT CAP REAR would attach to the rear panel of the CS4.

This means that if you want to build a B3 - meaning two End Caps and a CS3, you will be forced to attach the POCKET CAP FRONT to the non-opening rear panel, and the FLAT CAP REAR would attach to the front panel of the CS3. The functionality is exactly the same, except the opposite panel (the rear panel) is the one that opens. No big deal.

And, of course, the same occurs if you build a B2.

You can attach any two modules to each other, but you'll have different opening behaviors depending on how you zip them together. If you Build a Bag made up of a CS3 and a CS2, then since they both open to the "rear", then no matter how you zip them together, one or the other module will open in the "middle" of the configuration. Again, no big deal.

We decided a long time ago to NOT have two versions of every module, one that opens towards the front and one that opens towards the rear, because the confusion and the trouble this would cause, which would be way worse than the minor situation of having modules opening in the "middle" of a particular configuration. (Not to mention all the headaches that come with having twice the number of items in the parts list from an inventory and stocking standpoint.)

But if you choose a CS4-CS2 combo, or a CS4-CS3 combo, then you'll be able to have one module that opens towards the front (CS4), and the other that opens towards the rear. Having any two (or three) modules that open this way or that way, really isn't a problem in any case.

If an individual wanted the maximum amount of options from a B0 to a B18 and anything in between, do you sell each of the sections all in one package price vs. the packages you list?

We established our prices such that the preconfigured bags are priced to be equal to the sum of the individual part prices. In other words, there is no “quantity discount” associated with the preconfigured bags (B0 SLIM thru B18 HANGAR). We consider these preconfigured bags to be logical starting points that, by themselves have proven to be very popular because they do tend to make sense.

We had to do this because we absolutely wanted people to freely start with a preconfigured bag then then “explode” it, and then swap out parts – like exchange a MAIN HANDLE for a MAIN HANDLE J-HOOK, or exchange a SIDE POCKET CHARLIE for a SIDE POCKET BRAVO, or exchange a CENTER SECTION THREE for a CENTER SECTION TWO, etc, and also add or remove components, without losing any “discount” that might have been there to start.

And of course, one does not need to start with a preconfigured bag. One can build a bag from scratch, one component at a time, and achieve maximum customization.

So you can pick out any parts and/or any preconfigured bags and not worry about how the pricing works out. It’ll all come out the same.

We have never put together any kind of an “all inclusive” package because it would always be wrong for anyone who would buy it. For example, the key parts are the END CAPS. You can have lots of different CENTER SECTIONS, but the only way to build multiple bags at once is to have more than one set of END CAPS. And what you decide to do there will determine how many MAIN HANDLES and SHOULDER STRAPS you want. And so on.

So just take your time and assemble what I would suggest might be a “starting list”. Get fewer items at first. Get the components that are going to let you build the bag(s) you know you’re going to make use of right from the start. Live with those for a while and then you can make decisions about how you’d want to expand the versatility of the system with the purchase of additional components. (Or not.)