but how the heck to you haul around 2 suitcases to RER Station and on train? (along with purse or any other bag one may have)
Its just normal in Europe, you just get used to taking your luggage on public transport. I used to live in London and get the underground tube and regular train to airports. I used to travel to California and had a 50 pound case as well as carry on bags and I would be on my own.
Some tips
Make sure your 50 pound case is on wheels and can trundle easily. I have used both 4 wheel spinners and 2 wheel pull along.
The spinners are great on smooth flat floors and are less tiresome on the arms. They are harder to control when the ground is uneven or on pavements, or when crossing roads. They can be a bit bothersome on public transport as they dont have brakes and you have to keep a tight hold on them when the train or bus is moving.
The 2 wheel pull along aches the arms when trundling any long distance (for example where I currently live I have a 1.5 k walk to the airport shuttle bus) The 2 wheel pull along is much easier to control on uneven surfaces, on pavements etc. It is also easier for public transport as having only 2 wheels, the other side acts as a break and it does not take off on its own when the bus or train moves.
Use cross body bags or gym bags or backpacks for carryon luggage
Keep your travel documents, train tickets etc in a very accessible place but also safe from pick pockets. As unfashionable as it may be in Europe, fannypacks are ideal for this.
On escalators, walk on then pull your 50 pound case behind you and have it on the step behind you. Keep hold off the handle and it wont fall. Then when you get to the top, or the bottom, depending on which direction you are going, just walk off and pull your case along behind you. This is why you need either a cross body bag or backpack for carry on, as you need one hand to hold the handle of the 50 pound case and one hand to hold the handrail to balance yourself. Each person should manage their own 50 pound case and carryon luggage, as it is impossible for 1 person to manage 2 50 pound cases on escalators.
If there are no escalators and just stairs. Turn the 50 pound case on its side, firmly take the side handle in right hand, and firmly take the top handle (not the extendable handle but the handle attached to the top of the case) in the the left hand. Lift and rest the body of the case on the right thigh. Step up with the left foot, then step up with the right foot, using the right thigh to distribute the weight of the case. Go up, step by step, left foot, then right foot until you reach the top.
To go down stairs, turn the 50 pound case on its side and firmly grasp the side handle. Have the case either on your left side or right side, not infront or behind you. Slide the case down the steps, as you walk down step by step.
Look for the disabled access turnstiles, they are wider and are usually located at the ends of the row. Dont worry its allowed, you are not being rude using the disabled access.
Look for the elevator signs, also called a Lift. These are usually located in a different direction to the escalators and can be in out of the way places. Again they main have a disabled sign, its ok to use them, its not rude.
When trundling suitcases in train or bus stations, stay by the wall or at the side of the main crowd. Don’t be in the middle of the crowd, people will get annoyed at you, will fall over your cases and you will get stern looks if you hold up the flow of foot traffic. Also don’t just stop in the middle of a crowd, again people will get annoyed at you.
Trains usually have luggage racks at the ends of the carriages. Board the train using an end door, rather than a middle door. To get luggage on the train when there are 2 of you
Person A steps onto the train with no luggage, Person B stands on the platform with the entire luggage. Person B then hands the luggage to Person A on the train. Once the entire luggage is on the train, person B steps onto the train. Then Person A goes to the luggage rack and Person B hands them the luggage. Only put the 2 50 pound cases on the luggage rack. Carry on and backpacks etc can be brought to the seat and either placed in the overhead storage area or under the seat.