Just a quick google check failed to reveal any site selling 16 x 14 x 12 in Spirit Airlines friendly bags.
Sure, many are smaller (s.g. the Gator, etc.). But I could not find one that matched their measurements. Does anyone know who sells such a bag?? Or did the nit-wits at Spirit just dream this one up, too??

I have never seen a bag that size. It's odd

Have you checked ebags??

Rick Steve's Avanti Rolling Tote comes close to
those measurements.161/2 in. by 131/2 in. by 10 in.
On sale for $69.95 at Ricksteves.com

I would think that a DUFFEL BAG, which squishes a bit, probably would fit, even if nominally 17 inches long, and likely would be the best choice. That would include the very sturdily built BAD BAGS 1.5, $69, in various color combinations, which includes a carrying strap, or the larger but lighter Patagonia Lightweight Duffel, weight half the 28 oz. of the BAD version, now three color choices, no carrying strap, but with zip-away backpack straps, another $30, and also can be zipped into pocket for storage.

Eagle Creek has a Tarmac Flight Bag that might work; their smallest ES Cargo Duffel is 18 inches, and might push the envelope too much. The Redoxx Extra Small Aviator Bag would fit, but is almost too small for any trip beyond overnight. There are also soft expandable briefcases, like my Tumi, that would work, albeit mainly for an overnight business trip.

As to whether Spirit is even an issue from where you live, see:

http://www.spiritair.com/routemapall.aspx

My PERSONAL choice of the above likely would be the Patagonia, due to its adaptability as a "bag within a bag," a tool for one or even two people to do short excursions on trips where the base luggage is a significantly larger bag, but it wouldn't be right for everyone.

Thank you for your suggestions. Just as I suspected, though, NO ONE makes a bag that exact size which tells me that is exactly what the Spririt folks wanted--to force everyone to pay for carry on luggage. Those people are so greedy.

Does it really matter, though? Will anyone ever fly Spirit again?

True, Paula. I would take a bus or hitch hike, even, before I fly Spirit

Instead of wasting time trying to find bags that fit Spirit, time would be a lot better spent mounting a campaign against the company and its extremely annoying baggage charges. As far as that goes some kind of civil disobedience against all piddly charges would be a good idea.

This is the only travel blog I look at so I don't know how many there are, but there must be some way to connect all of them together in an effort to get the airlines to quit being such cheap ba****ds. Those of you who have the energy should be leading the charge! Don't fly Spirit, Don't fly Ryanair, don't pay extra for any single thing on any airline. Let their sandwiches rot and their drinks expire.

Have we become so used to knuckling under that we jsut go along with this stuff. Do you remember when paranoia and fear were not characteristics of the American society. Then came along plastic sheeting and duct tape, and the draping of the statue of Justice by Ashcroft because her breasts were bare. Freedom and justice started to diminish and the American people let if happen. Don't pay to put your legal size bags in the overhead.

I think that'll do it for this morning. .

The more I think about it, the more I wonder why Spirit didn't simply and quietly RAISE THEIR FARES step-wise, maybe $3 to $4 a month, a total of $15, then join Southwest and Jet Blue by DOING AWAY WITH FEES for the first checked bag. The response to that would have been far more POSITIVE, in terms of public relations, but also BOOKINGS, and of course, with likely better than half the passengers opting to check their bag, that would have led to a permanent ceasefire for any "bin wars" on Spirit.

Airline management these days however seems intent on always doing the WRONG thing. Chatting with John Nance recently, during an appearance he made at our hospital related to safety in healthcare, he allowed that if we ever had someone apply for a management position at our medical center whose resume included time spent in the airline industry, that alone might be a good reason to eliminate that candidate!

The last thing the airlines want to do is raise ticket prices. Here's why. Let's say Spirit offers a fare for $9. Most passengers would jump on this and proudly tell their friends they got a $9 fare. Fees and taxes might be another $200 but that doesn't matter because the passenger assumes everyone gets charged that. But he got a $9 fare.

Most people want cheap stuff. Why is the $1 menu at fast food places so popular?Why is Wal-Mart the largest retailer in the world? Go to most travel boards and one of the most asked questions is: How do I get cheap fares?

If this wasn't true, airlines wouldn't do it.

And it's not just in the U.S. In Europe, Ryanair is one of the most popular airlines and they nickel and dime you to death. Yet they make money.

If there is one category of passenger the airlines don't want to annoy its the FF. And you'll notice that in most cases, elite FF's are exempt from extra fees.

Not available anymore, but my Patagonia One Bag seems like a pretty close fit.
Manufacturer specs: 15.5" x 12.5" x 9.5", 2 lbs 6 oz.

It's a little bit smaller than the max dimensions, which is beneficial for possible buldging (especially the depth).

Yep - the old One bag was a good one. You might find one on eBay.

It's exactly what I said, there are no bags that fit this dimension that why it's so strange they would choose this dimension. I suspect collusion with the luggage industry or plain idiocy.

Here's betting a bag of the specified size won't actually fit under all of Spirit's seats anyway.

This Messenger Bag from LL Bean may work. The large size is 13" x !6" x 7" wt. 1 # 14 oz, 1560 cu. in. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62858?page=heatwave-messenger-bag&parentCategory=504479&cat4=504478&shop_method=pp&feat=692-sub1&np=Y

I looked at that LLBean bag......

With a folded up Chicobag Messenger Bag as my "day bag" and by keeping my electronics to an Ipod Touch and digital camera....I might be able to "do Europe" with this one. It would be tight and I might still need the Scottevest!!!! :)

With all the fees and restrictions that are being imposed by
airlines; there might be times when shipping one's luggage
miay make more sense from the peace of mind perspective.

Check out Luggagefree.com They are offering to ship domestically
to contigous US -- 50 lbs. for $50.( for a family, that might be more
economical). For International -- eg. USA to England $ 7.20 a lb.
one way.( with travel clothing that is lightweight one could ship
a medium sized package of clothing to minimize the weight and
still make it cost effective).

Personally I prefer one bagging but it seems like the odds are stacked
against the one bagger; so my feeling is that it is good to have
another option. The additional cost might be worth the
peace of mind and convenience.

Red Oxx's CPA Briefcase might work. It is one inch too long, but might could be pressed down to fit into the measuring bin if not overpacked.

The CPA briefcase is a definitle possibility. Youcould easily fit a 18" Eagle Creek folder in there, which should easily allow a 2-3 day trip, even while taking a lightweight laptop or netbook. I have the Metro as my everyday bsag, and I use it for under the seat while on the plane. It will fit, and still allow for you feet. The next time I take a three day/two night trip with the wear at my meeting location as casual I am going to try one bagging it with that as my ONLY bag.

Toughtraveler.com has some interesting collection of carry-on
bags and briefcases; that come close to those dimensions.

Eg.-- JIM DANDY 18 by 12 by 7 inches.
PTARMIGAN ( briefcase) 14 by 10 by 6 inches.

Here is a reasonably priced Travelpro bag that meets that curious Spirit size standard:

http://www.luggageonline.com/product.cfm?product_ID=14154

Of course, its minimum dimension is too much to allow it when fully loaded to squeeze into a CRJ overhead bin, so it isn't that versatile, but for the price, not much of an issue. I am NOT buying one, as we have no local service from Spirit.