We used them in June when we flew down for S24 orientation. They are great! We did not wrap them. We did throw in air tags just in case they got lost. We will bring down the remaining three next week when we fly down for move-in.
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I think this is indeed a potential issue, but I also think it can be potentially addressed just by some deliberate hanging out. Like, I would suggest making a point of making sure to meet up with friends (and their friends) for meals, maybe organizing study sessions with classmates, that sort of thing.
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Twice now I’ve checked these other duffle bags with dorm stuff, no issues flying home. (I don’t know if I could carry a fully-loaded Fratka bag…)
We are planning to use four of these bags. They also come in a slightly larger size; I got one of the larger ones for bedding.
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I have the same concern about durability of Frakta bags and so I caved and bought a foldable collapsible suitcase today for delivery tomorrow. It seems like it will fit a similar amount of sheets/blankets/dorm gear and not take up a ton of storage space, but also could be a bit easier to haul and potentially more durable. It’s supposed to arrive tomorrow, and if it looks good, I’ll order more. Hope it is okay to post the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB6M3Z74/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Your son should run, not walk, to the nearest Powerball/Lotto location. Where he is headed, as a freshman and with the over enrollment to pull a single must be unheard of.
We had similar concerns on a single room assignment for our kiddo but believed the combination of the group classes/activities focus of a FYE “like” program and LC would be enough to coax him into social situations.
Good luck to your son!
For transport of clothing, opted for these, and as a test, loaded one up with firewood and tossed it around. Surprisingly durable. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C3QQ1TQ4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
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Yesterday, D24 decided to take advantage of cheap prices going on right now at Walmart for school supplies, so she bought some for college. I told D24 that I was thrilled that she was being cheap. 
She said, “Well, duh, I’m having to spend my own money on this, so why wouldn’t I look for cheaper prices?”
New level of adulting unlocked! 
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lol…could use that Powerball $ right about now…
I got the exact same Veno bags…happy to hear they are capable of handling firewood! We might double up and use it only for softer clothing/bedding items. And use traditional suitcases for the more breakable items.
Yes, hoping he will find more people to hang out with during the student only orientation that Purdue runs. Everybody highly recommends it. 
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These look good and more durable!
The caveat is that the size I linked is probably smaller than the Fratka.
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This is just a small shadow of that, but during Admitted Students day, S24’s college separated the students from the parents for some sessions and then lunch. In that short time alone, S24 met some kids, shared contact details, and he plans to meet up with them again once school actually starts.
So I am sure Purdue, among other things on its orientation agenda, is going to make sure the kids have plenty of opportunities for that sort of thing.
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My google-fu feels low right now. Anyone have links to the specific HIPAA and FERPA forms we should be signing?
Last night we attended a UVA send off event for incoming freshman - S24 was initially down on it as many of the kids seemed to know each other already (probably 80% private/BS school kids) but he opened up in the last 45 minutes and admitted that the kids seemed nice (and met a few other public school kids too). We are just starting the packing and are going to err on the side of too little instead of too much. We can ship anything he needs or buy it down in Charlottesville. S22’s advice was to pack light - he never wore/used half the stuff he brought to school the first two years. We settled on having S22 (headed to UNC) fly down with as much as he can squeeze in checked bags and will bring some remaining items with us and drop those after S24 is settled in. Anything else can be shipped or purchased at his location - am not sweating it.
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Glad to hear he’s finding his way.
I agree about “stuff” - in our case, parents weekend is I think 5 weeks after drop off. So we can always bring whatever they find missing. And anything urgent can of course be purchased locally or parachuted in.
C24’s school had their local alumni/student picnic last night, and it was great! My kid got to meet about 10 other kids in their class, so they’ll arrive on campus and have some familiar faces. I love that their school (Oberlin) seems to have a really strong and enthusiastic alumni network. It makes me wonder if my own undergrad school has/had something similar, and I just never knew it.
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Thank you. As departure approaches he definitely is getting a little more nervous - especially given that he’ll be far from home. I know the droids will be heading pretty far as well - hope everything is smooth on your end! Amazon is a huge help with filling in the missing gaps - even when s22 was local, he’d just order stuff and get it shipped when he needed it. The wonders of the modern age!
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I asked my wife.
She said double bag them and zip tie the zippers and they’ll come through fine.
She said you can look on grown and flown for how to handle them. But that’s the gist of it.
Good luck.
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Ours held a gathering/reception but we were away. Kind of bummed but that’s the way the calendar worked out. The droids are happily texting with their room/suite mates though so that’s good.
@Thorsmom66 thanks. We’re grinning and bearing. I think!
Amazon is a marvel in its way. Nowadays it seems like most stuff we order is getting delivered the day we order it which is pretty nuts. They’re trying awfully hard to get us to never leave our homes.
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It’s a relief to see on this board that I’m not the only parent dealing with a kid who seems remarkably unconcerned about packing for his move to a dorm many states away! We leave on Friday. I was starting to spiral into existential despair this weekend: where have I gone wrong that he does not see the absolutely urgent need to make lists, pack, and plan? This board reminds me I have not gone wrong at all. I just have a teenager. And there will be a Target in Colorado. Probably more than one.
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