Gadget Guy Review: ATM Scootie Kids Scooter Luggage

<p>There has been a bunch of innovation in the travel tech space that was once considered to be far-fetched Jetsons type thinking. But take a look at a few episodes of The Jetsons and you'll see that many of the "that would be cool but will never happen" ideas of decades ago are now a reality.</p><p>The latest hubbub we're hearing has to do with luggage you can drive through the airport. <a href="http://www.travelpulse.com/news/travel-technology/modobag-meet-the-creator-of-the-amazing-luggage-you-can-ride-around-on.html" target="_blank">The </a><a href="http://www.travelpulse.com/news/travel-technology/modobag-meet-the-creator-of-the-amazing-luggage-you-can-ride-around-on.html" target="_self">Modobag</a><a href="http://www.travelpulse.com/news/travel-technology/modobag-meet-the-creator-of-the-amazing-luggage-you-can-ride-around-on.html" target="_blank"> is a reality</a>, but months away from the first generation of airport riders. So in the meantime, let's dial back the tech a bit. How about a piece of luggage that doubles as a scooter?</p><p>Part of me closes my eyes and imagines a sea of millennials and hipsters clogging up the terminal walkways, and that's a nightmare. But outfitters from low-end to Kenneth Cole have created these multi-use machines.</p><p>And yes, earlier this year, while pausing to get my boarding pass at JFK Airport, I was plowed down by a scarf-wearing-in-90-degree-heat, ponytailed, George Michael-bearded 20-something.</p><p>Not exactly selling this concept so far, right? While I might not endorse them for "adults" (the 26-year-old guy that hit me begged me not to file an insurance claim because his parents would take him off the policy), if the power is harnessed correctly, they can be the perfect combination of utility and wonderful toy distraction for your kids.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.travalliancemedia.com/images/99999999-9999-9999-9999-999999999999/100fdd9c-2063-e611-a9d3-0050568e420d/source.jpg" style="width: 320px; height: 427px; margin: 10px; float: left;" />Case in point: the Scootie from America's Travel Marketplace (ATM, $89.99, <a href="http://atmluggage.com" target="_blank">atmluggage.com</a>).</p><p>The mobile luggage was created for kids ages 4-9 and comes in a variety of designs, including a number of Nickelodeon characters like Spongebob, Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.</p><p>The interior comes in carry-on approved dimensions of 16 by 12 by 10 inches and is made of a material harder than a typical backpack but not a full-on hard case.</p><p>The scooter component folds out to non-slip deck that is 3.5 inches wide by 14 inches long with a rear-fender brake.</p><p>The T-bar handle adjusts for different heights and the scooter folds up with the tug of a nylon strap and attaches to the luggage with the help of an additional safety bracket. All in all, it weighs 7.9 pounds.</p><p>My 7-year-old son Jake (shown here in early-morning, trying-too-hard-to-look-awake mode) tested out his happy face design scooter on our recent father-son outing to Cancun. Don't expect this to be your kids' main piece of luggage.</p><p>It's a kids' carry-on and is perfect to hold toys and books and other travel distractions.</p><p></strong></p><p>The scooter held up nicely with about a mile worth of usage during our travels through three different airports. At the price point, this is a very well-built addition to any family's travel arsenal.</p><p>Now, please just teach your kids proper etiquette so they don't grow up to be a 26-year-old airport menace.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.travalliancemedia.com/images/99999999-9999-9999-9999-999999999999/00b80908-2263-e611-a9d3-0050568e420d/source.jpg" style="width: 611px; height: 245px;" /></p><p><strong>Scoring:</strong> Each category is scored between 1 and 10 for a maximum score of 50. Products scoring 48.0 or above earn the label of Gadget Guy Platinum Pick. If a product scores under 40 in our testing, we will not review it as we prefer to inform you on the best products rather than criticize the ones that aren't quite as good.</p><p><em>Products detailed above were provided to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Tim Wood and have not been influenced in any way.</em></p><p><em>Have a cool travel gadget we should review? Email me at <a href="mailto:twood@travelpulse.com">twood@travelpulse.com</a>.</em></p>

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