Luggage shipping services.

[randomness]

Partly because contrariety asked, partly because I want to leave a note for myself, and partly because I know others will be interested in the information: two articles on shipping your luggage when travelling, so you don't end up paying the airlines to lose your bags.

From http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/travel/12qna.html:
"[S]hipping luggage can be a cost-effective way to avoid punitive excess baggage charges, not just within Europe but between Europe and the United States , and indeed throughout the world. The solution is to use a baggage shipping service. For shipping to and from or within the United States, it makes sense to use a domestic company; but for shipping back to the United States, or between countries, you may benefit from a local company."

From http://www.gonomad.com/traveldesk/0601/shipping-luggage.html:
"[A] a travel trend has emerged to solve this problem: luggage shipping. Companies such as First Luggage, Luggage Free, Universal Express and Carry My Luggage offer door-to-door service without the hassle of lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, or having to drag bags along on your travels."

Both articles include links to various providers.

Comments

[whitebird.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about that sort of thing for a while now.

I've also been thinking about something like bonded luggage checkin at the airports, such that your luggage is inspected by a TSA agent and yourself, it's then closed and locked with a bonded seal, and then moved to the airplane. That way, your luggage gets inspected, but not while it's out of your sight. I could see paying a bit extra for that service.

[jab2.livejournal.com]

ooh ooh, thank you! i brought 120 pounds of research materials with me to spain and they went missing for 2 days. before i add the usual 30 or so i collect in the summers, it's good to know there's a safer option!!

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

Neil Gaiman mentions mailing his dirty laundry home while traveling for long periods. I imagine on of his kids "Ooh look,box from Daddy...ew!"

[drwex]

Thanks, that's a great idea!

[skreeky]

Holy crap. I'd love to do that, but at $500 per bag one way (US-Australia) it just doesn't seem practical. So I'm still stuck dragging my useless winter clothes around Los Angeles and Cairns, and my useless summer clothes around Sydney in August. I desperately want to ship them. But seriously, OUCH!!!!

[sea-bound.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Thanks for the articles. I looked into shipping companies while I was in Jordan (for obvious reasons) and they all seemed to be in the $500-600+ range, which seemed exorbitant to me. Of course, this is so because I managed to find several people to lug my bags for me (the key to traveling this much? become loved by lots and lots of people). By the end of the year my bags will be in Dublin, Detroit, Japan, and Berlin. I'm really looking forward to picking them all up! *grin*

I'm in India. Headed to Japan in a few days--you can see the itinerary on facebook, which will be updated in a couple of weeks to include the summer and beyond. There is a potential job offer on the table that will bring me back to Jordan for 5-6 months and then to Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon, possibly also Sudan and Somalia over the succeeding 4-5 months. My mother groaned when I told her in a phone conversation. Haha. Anyway, I don't want to jinx it so i will not say more. Suffice it to say that if the offer comes through and is doable, I'm going to take it. I'll keep you updated. :) Belated happy birthday to E and my love to both of you!