Packing Equip in Luggage

[scootermcfly]

I was reading this article on cnn.com today about new services where you can send luggage ahead of time and then it is there when you get there and was thinking of using for some scuba equipment (Fins, BC, mask, etc everything except for Regs). Since I have a family of 4, packing and staying under weight restrictions gets a little fun. Has anyone used either of these services?

Article:
Travelers avoid hassles with luggage delivery services - CNN.com

Service #1:
Luggage Forward - The Luggage Shipping and Golf Club Shipping Experts

Service #2:
Luggage Free - Experts in shipping luggage and excess baggage

Thanks for reading,
Scooter McFly

[scubasamurai]

i thought it was a great idea till i saw some of those prices!!! 300 to 400 minium. that is almost the price of a ticket depending on where you are going.

i packed for a family of five, including two kids. we all had carry ons and one checked bag each, even one was slightly overweight and charged us 5 bucks. also with spirit if you prepay your luggage you get half off!!! so it was cheaper for us that way. let me know how it works, personal i like just to carry on and ship the luggage, but not at those prices!!!

[jtkkym]

Yeah same for me. It'll be nice if we don't have to drag the bags but it comes down to $$$ for most of us. I wish I could say money is not my problem.

[Diver Kat]

Same for us .... we were interested until we started looking at the prices. So we'll just keep it under 50 lbs and lug it with us!!

[PlatypusMan]

This is simply a return to a bygone era of travel (when most of it was done by train and ship). Remember the term steamer trunk?--the main luggage was always sent ahead of the passenger in those days.

I have in the past boxed my bags and then shipped them domestically via FedEx Ground. Easier than you think--and I was able to track them all the way to the hotel and got online signature verification when delivered the day prior to my arrival at the hotel (call the hotel make sure they're willing to accept the shipment first, of course).

The only drawback that I had was that I flew back with the bags on the return leg, which involved the tender mercies of the TSA and airline check-in procedures, which was far less fun than just walking through the TSA checkpoint on the outbound leg with my carry-ons.

Recently, I spoke with one of the editors of a dive magazine--he told me that he ships his gear via FedEx air(with insurance) everywhere he goes diving, domestically and overseas. He sees the expense as necessary to ensure that his material arrives with him and with nothing going missing. It's returned the same way, and that system works for him.

One thing to remember is that if you appear to be traveling with NO luggage at all, you might get some extra scrutiny at the security checkpoint; I saw a woman held up briefly in Cozumel until she got them to understand that she had shipped ALL their luggage (apparently this included their carry-ons) back to the U.S. and was traveling luggage-free as a result. IIRC, TSA flags folks who check-in with no luggage as well, since in their eyes there might be a reason for it.

PPM

[Damselfish]

another problem with shipping EVERYTHING is YOU could get delayed, and it's kinda nice to have a toothbrush and a few clothes when you're stranded someplace...

[mselizann]

I would be afraid of shipping things- it just seems more likely to get lost altogether..........although I wouldn't mind the insurance payment to get new gear-hmmmmmmmmmm

[scootermcfly]

Well,

I called both yesterday and one has yet to return my call. I asked the other if they did ship scuba equipment, and they do. The next questions were around Days of the Week, since there are times I travel on Sat to Sat and they said that there was no Sat service available. I got quotes and it is very pricey, and i was only thinking of sending the scuba stuff through that and then use the regular luggage on the plane as usual.

I'll update again if the one ever returns my call.

Scooter McFly

[Rockinmd]

yes, it is not cheap (but not the $400 quoted by grouper - I paid $70 to get one real heavy bag to hawaii)

but, heck the airlines are now charging for luggage anyway and you dont have to worry about over weight and you know your luggage WILL BE THERE. UNLIKE the airlines.

anyway we used for critical items (e.g., BC that I could not carry on).

and here is how to make it cheaper - when you pay them , they pick it up at your house, carry it to fed ex, and pay fedex to ship it to your hotel.

you can do the same thing! and cut out the middle man. just check with your hotel on how to mark the bag and take it to fedex yourself !!

[Beaucoupfishies]

Originally Posted by Rockinmd

yes, it is not cheap (but not the $400 quoted by grouper - I paid $70 to get one real heavy bag to hawaii)

but, heck the airlines are now charging for luggage anyway and you dont have to worry about over weight and you know your luggage WILL BE THERE. UNLIKE the airlines.

anyway we used for critical items (e.g., BC that I could not carry on).

and here is how to make it cheaper - when you pay them , they pick it up at your house, carry it to fed ex, and pay fedex to ship it to your hotel.

you can do the same thing! and cut out the middle man. just check with your hotel on how to mark the bag and take it to fedex yourself !!

That's a really awesome idea. Even with insurance and tracking it's still a lot cheaper and you have someone to go to if something gets broken in shipping. Much easier than dealing with the TSA.