Ship Your Luggage, Skip the Airport Hassles

Growing up as the daughter of an airline pilot, I grew accustomed to living out of exactly one suitcase while traveling. As a result of flying stand-by and never knowing if we would get on a flight, we were never allowed to check baggage. Nor did I ever want to. The thought of being separated from my Strawberry Shortcake suitcase, lost to the lords of baggage mishaps, was really just too much to bear.

These days, I rarely fly stand-by anymore since I got kicked out of the system of being a dependent of an employee. Now my stand-by status is the equivalent of winning the lottery when you're dead broke. Slim and stressful. And while I don't enjoy lugging my suitcase through airports and connections, I enjoy checking my bag even less. By the time I've reached my destination, the last thing I want to do is wait in line, praying my bag has arrived, hoping it's not damaged, and tacking on an extra 30 minutes to an hour on my journey.

Just looking for my boxers...

The rest of the world seems to feel the same way these days. Traveling with anything except a change of underwear is hardly worth the effort of TSA screenings, pat-downs, losing expensive luggage, airport extra-luggage fees, and those dreaded quart sized bags. The travel industry has taken notice and developed luggage shipping services including Luggage Free and Luggage Forward.

Customers pack up their gear and shipping labels are mailed to them and a two to four hour window for a pick-up time is scheduled. Bags being shipped to or from a hotel are easily arranged by the concierge service. Larger luxury items including skis, bicycles, and golf clubs can also be shipped.

Of course every service has its price and Luggage Free runs about $4.15 per pound with delivery by 3:00pm for 1 day service. With a little advanced planning, 5-day service runs as little as $1.65 a pound with delivery by 7pm. Thus a 30 pound suitcase will run about $49.50 to ship for one-way, 5 day service.

But mailing luggage isn't a new idea. Back in my video editing days, my boss frequently FedExed his clothes and toiletries on business trips right to the hotel. He would write it off as a business expense and enjoy the airport without the hassle of luggage. But unlike going straight to FedEx or UPS yourself, services like Luggage Free do all the prepping of your bag, wrapping it, delivering it to the vendor, provide door to door service and are insured for up to $1,000, with unlimited additional coverage available.

So just how often do travelers lose their luggage and suffer checked-bag mishaps? In 2007, the Department of Transportation discovered that the airline industry misplaced 7 bags for every 1,000 passengers. And all those millions of bags often end up in a sea of lost items at the Unclaimed Luggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama....


Watch a fideo on frustrated travelers look for lost luggage in Wisconsin...

The Faltering Economy and Travel

Every time I log onto CNN, MSN, or Salon, I'm faced with endless articles and nightmarish themes featuring the following:

• The housing crisis - every last person in America is defaulting on their loans and walking away from their homes. Every city will soon look like Detroit with boarded-up skyscrapers and crime rates will soar.

• Home owners are burning their houses to the ground, a ritual sacrifice to the mortgage Gods that could rival the final scene in The Wicker Man. (the original, not the Nicholas Cage version)

Nothing to see here, Officer, just a defaulted home burning to the ground

• Even if you're living comfortably and paying your mortgage, all your neighbors are jumping ship and your home's value is currently worth $2 and a button.
  

• Lenders are so freaked about about the mortgage crisis, aspiring homeowners will never get a loan again, even if you have sparkling credit.
  

• Private school loans are at an all time high. No one can go to school without spending about $4 million bucks and paying 80% interest afterwards, thus passing down loans to your children and grandchildren.
  

• Average Americans now must buy generic, near-spoiled milk and sugarless, cartoonless cereal and walk to work because gas is just too expensive.

• Starbucks will go bankrupt because no one is buying frivolous $5 lattes with vanilla flavoring, extra foam, and half-caffeinated. The culprit? The economy.
  

• The dollar is at such an all-time low that Europeans viciously mock us, buying up our real estate, retail, businesses, and restaurants with the allowance of a school child.

• Global warming will kill us before dawn. This somehow relates to the economy, too.
  

March 15th: Mortgage Due - March 16th: Burn down home to avoid paying mortgage

However, travel continues to increase, albeit slowly. My theory is that people are so overworked trying to pay for their near-defaulted mortgages (or that the news has them so fearful of the faltering economy) that they need a vacation to escape it all. Not to mention most families have two working parents who are trying to balance kids with work with domestic bliss, so when else does good old fashioned family fun take place?

I think it's irresponsible for the media to continually stalk us with doomsday information. I'm all for getting the facts, but countless stories about how we're all in hell is not good for our collective psyche. It'd be nice to balance some of these horror stories with success stories of people making it work and projected economical outcomes for the next 6, 12, and 18 months.

So should we spend any money at all on travel? It's an easy answer. No, if we don't have enough. Yes, if we can afford it and travel financially responsibly. My thought is that we can't stop living life and taking simple measures like going camping and having a bottle of wine for a total cost of $25 once in awhile. I've noticed people seem apologetic and make excuses when they spend money on travel. If they're compromising their mortgages to travel, they should feel guilty. But where's the shame in saving for a much needed break from our "current climate"?

This whole messy situation does concern me, though. With Europe's pound currently hovering over double to our dollar, I'm not sure how we'll manage our friend's Scotland wedding this fall. My plan is to use frequent flyer miles and get a press rate on a hotel room, then eat out sparingly. Every city has free attractions, so I' m not overly concerned with entertainment. I know we can swing it, but it could mean not being able to indulge on any other travel this year, and that's a problem for me.

Lately we've been considering a cheaper alternative to international travel: South America. It's one of the few areas where our dollar can stretch past a pack of gum. I'll be interested to see if their travel industry starts soaring because of our own faltering economy.

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An Afterthought on Travel Preparation

A reader named Darren commented on my Travel Preparation post from a few days ago:

"Interesting blog post, I was wondering what your opinion on the environment and travellers taking more responsibility by travelling light?"

Excellent point, thank you for the comment. Aside from just not wanting to deal with the hassles of lugging around a bag, you've pointed out a growing trend in both travel and social-consciousness. 1o years ago, few travelers would even bother to consider the impact of their carbon footprint in correlation to what they pack. Consider the following:

• The more you pack, the heavier your bag is and the more jet fuel will be burned to accommodate excess weight. There's a reason airlines charge you more for extra baggage. 1) They can get away with it and make more revenue 2) They need to accommodate for the extra cost of fuel.

• The more 'stuff' you have to haul around means you will burn more energy and hence utilize more resources. Consider this: If you have heavy baggage, you're more likely to need a cab or private car and burn more fuel. If you pack light, it's much easier to travel via public transportation thus burn less carbon. Not to mention you'll be burning more of your own energy and thus eating more, turning up the air conditioning because you're hot from a long day of hauling around your things, not to mention needing more water and detergent to wash the clothes you've brought with you.

• The heavier your bag is, the more likely it is to wear out sooner. Packing light automatically elongates the life of your baggage, which means you're contributing to less consumer waste.

• Traveling light is more than just functionality, but a philosophy. The less 'stuff' you have, the less you're contributing to consumerism and its packaging waste. You're also subjecting the places you're visiting to the waste you brought with you. Remember that you are a guest in someone else's country, city, or island. Consider the state parks you've visited in your lifetime, I'm sure many have required that you leave with everything you brought to respect the land.

• Don't forget to recycle. Recycle your cardboard, glass, aluminum cans, etc. -- but also recycle creatively. Whenever my husband and I leave a city, we always offer up our bus passes, maps, tickets, and any other useful goods to tourists entering the train station or airport. They're always very thankful, if not surprised, and it's a great way to keep down paper and waste consumption.

Watch some videos on global warming and travel...

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Travel Preparation

Most people think booking airfare, a hotel, and a rental car is the only travel preparation necessary, spending the rest of the time dreaming of pina coladas on the beach. But you've probably found there's nothing more stressful than waking up the day of your trip and scrambling to pull together two weeks worth of your life crammed into a suitcase. As a result, it's nearly impossible not to over-pack or under-pack. To combat the last-minute travel stressers, here's a packing and preparation list to get you started:

10 Day Vacation

Clothes:
Dress pants
Dressy outfit
2-3 pairs of jeans
6 wrinkle-resistant shirts
10 pairs of underwear
8 pairs of socks
Walking shoes
Comfortable 'going out' shoes
Dressy shoes
Swim suit (if applicable)
A work-out outfit or T-shirt for bed (save on space, only bring one)

Tips: Pack wrinkle-resistant clothes whenever possible and include a Tide Stick for unexpected spills and stains


Bathroom Accessories:
Toothbrush
Travel toothpaste
Floss
Travel-sized Cetaphyl Cleanser (Perfect for make-up removal and works as a cleanser or leave on as a moisturizer. Also acceptable for men)
Travel-sized Contact Cleanser and case
Travel-sized Shaving Cream
Disposable Razor
Make-up
Hair tie (or Hat)
Medication
2 Quart Sized ziplock bags (if you're checking your luggage, use the 2nd as a spare, they rip)

Tips: Always opt for travel-sized items, whether you plan to check your bag or not. It will save room. I prefer just sucking it up and using soaps and shampoos from the hotels to save on space. If you like your own bath products, pour them into travel-sized containers


Accessories:
Cell phone charger
If traveling with computer - power cord
For women - any jewelry (nothing expensive!), an all-purpose handbag, evening bag
Light-weight sweater or sweatshirt
Backpack or other bag big enough for a day out

Tips: Keep accessories to a minimum to save on space. You won't care about how many purses you have by day 3 when you're lugging luggage


Emergency Supplies:
Tylenol or other pain relievers
Travel-sized Sunscreen - even in winter
Chapstick or lip balm (chapped lips can surprisingly cause a lot of discomfort and distract from your vacation)
Copy of your driver's lisence or passport
Emergency contact numbers
$100 in traveler's checks in case your debit or credit card is lost or stolen
Extra pair of contacts or old pair of glasses
If traveling with medication, number of pharmacist in case you need them replaced or refilled
If traveling out of the country, number of the American embassy, an international phone card, travel insurance with legal counsel option


Now that your bag is packed, don't forget about some last minute tips to make your trip go more smoothly.

Call a car service the night before, a friend taking you to the airport, or make sure your car has gas.

Confirm your travel plans and print out boarding passes and itineraries.

Throw out any perishable foods. (Makes for a very unpleasant surprise if you don't) At the same time, keep a few non-perishable items for when you get home so there's food in the house.

Clean your house or apartment. There's nothing more refreshing than coming home after a long trip to a clean house and clean sheets on your bed.

Pay your bills early so you don't have to worry about them while on vacation or the moment
you get home.

Make sure you're well rested! It'll start your vacation on the right foot.

Tips: Resolve stressers in your life like a difficult project at work, a small house repair, or unfinished business before your trip. Without burdens to pull you down, you'll feel light as air!


Thoughts:

Now, I'm sure some people will balk at my clothing list, but I'm a light packer. The point of beign on vacation or traveling is to be free and experience new things. I find it difficult to achieve this if I'm being weighted down, literally, by my suitcase. I only pack what fits into one suitcase and one carry-on. Try it, you'll love the freedom it allows!



I received an insightful comment about packing light and the environment... see An Afterthought to Travel Preparation for more...

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A Travel Playlist

My husband is a music junkie and likes some of the most obscure stuff that would put music journalists to shame. He even belongs to an endearing nerd group that discusses their favorite albums and songs of the previous year, complete with an 8-hour presentation schedule. No girls are allowed.

However, I've found because of his adventurous musical depths, my own tastes have become eclectic and tangled between the preferences I grew up with, what I've discovered as an adult, and what I've been exposed to since getting hitched. It can only best be described as a mix of everything popular and un -- a nonsensical list that simply gives me a strong reaction whether melancholy, energized, introspective, giddy, dreamy, etc.

And so, Here's my latest Nonsensical Travel Play List for Car Trip Driving:
(in no particular order)


Guided By Voices
The Ironman Rally Song

Guided By Voices
Bulldog Skin

Aimee Man
Wise Up

Dinosaur Junior
Get Me

Dinosaur Junior
Wagon

The Rolling Stones
Monkey Man

Weezer
Jamie

Arcade Fire
Cold Wind

Siouxsie and the Banshees
Cities in Dust

Erykah Badu
Bag Lady

John Lennon
Oh Yoko

The Faces
Oh La La

Fiona Apple
Universe

Sufjan Stevens
Flint

Royal Trux
Pound for Pound

Pas/Cal
The Bronzed Bleach Boys

Badly Drawn Boy
You Were Right

The Kinks
Picture Book

Johnny Cash
Hurt (Nine Inch Nails)

Big Pun
Still Not a Player


What do you guys like to listen to in the car, air, or otherwise?

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Jamie Lynn Spears Might Teach You Something... Besides Sex Ed

I wondered how long it would take the media to start talking about statutory rape laws regarding 16 year old Jamie Lynn Spears and her 18 or 19 old boyfriend. I was surprised it took 3 whole days for the rumblings to begin. As it turns out, her boyfriend's potential legal trouble depends on the state they had sex in: Louisiana or California (although I'm assuming they probably were getting it on in both states, and a few in between).

The idea of state to state, and even country to country laws is not just a cautionary tale for overzealous teens, but travelers as a whole. Remember the American, Michael Faye, who got caned for theft and vandalism in Singapore back in the '90's? Or the movie Broke Down Palace? Watching Claire Danes get the business from Thai prison guards, and seeing the aftermath of a roach crawling into Kate Beckinsale's ear is enough to make you want to stay home and skip the exotic adventure all together.

Then there's stories of Americans who were apparently minding their own business and faced frightening legal consequences abroad. An American man was arrested after getting into a car accident in Venezuela and severely hurting the other driver, though he was not at fault. An American businessman in the Middle East was arrested at an airport for having a pornographic magazine. A Connecticut man found himself in a Brazilian jail for 75 days in a cramped 18x20 foot cell with 16 other prisoners for stealing a meteorite -- even though he was a dealer in meteorites and acquired it legally.

The State Department estimates that nearly 3,000 Americans are arrested abroad, though the number is probably much higher. With millions of people traveling each day, that's a pretty small number. But if you're that one person, you won't care about the stats. Don't forget that being an American guarantees you nothing in another country, you are not there on diplomatic immunity and you are not entitled to follow your own laws and ignore the ones of the country you're visiting. Even the smallest amounts of drugs in some countries can land you in jails for years, regardless of if there is much legal basis for the claim. Japan has a ban on simple over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and Nyquil. Even seemingly innocent gestures like taking photographs of a government buildings and airports can lead to trouble.

Bribes are not necessarily frowned on, but giving one to the wrong person can be extremely dangerous. However, bribes can be a commonplace way to resolve issues. A simple 10 bucks could get you out of a speeding ticket or altercation with an aggressive officer. Your best bet when facing trouble is to ask to speak to the American consulate, but do not be arrogant or demanding or you'll make the situation worse. Always opt for travel insurance that includes 24-hour legal service. A charged cell phone and the insurance hotline number on hand can get you through a sticky situation. Call immediately at the first sign of trouble in case you are detained and cannot call afterwards. Your insurance should be able to put the correct legal counsel in touch. Finally, pick up the book Americans Traveling Abroad: What you Should Know Before You Go.

But don't forget about state to state laws like drug possession, speeding, and intoxication. While you'll of course have much more control and ease in dealing with trouble in your own country, don't pretend like being on vacation gives you free reign to do whatever you please. Need an example? Just watch the Spring Break coverage from Panama City Beach or the latest installment of Girls Gone Wild videos. Most teenagers don't necessarily flash their goods on a quiet Tuesday night in their own hometown. (Some maybe, but not most). That goes for adult travelers too. I once saw a 40-something year old man wearing a shirt and tie jump off a pier in Key West. He was drunk and could barely swim to the ladder that was at least a football field away. Also be aware that there are con-artists, less than savory individuals, and just average Joe's who will take advantage of tourists. That includes pick-pocketing, slipping something in your drink, running a scam, mugging you, or just messing with you for the fun of it.

Here are some simple rules to follow while traveling:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times
  
• Don't offer up too much information to strangers, even in polite conversation
• Explore in groups, especially at night. If you're traveling alone, stay close to your accommodations or join a tour group
• Keep a copy of your driver's license or passport with you and make sure someone back home also has a copy
  
• Keep the details of your travel insurance, or if you're still in your own country, the number of a lawyer
• Keep at least $100 in traveler's checks in your suitcase or hotel safe in case your wallet is stolen
• Have a 'Worst Case Scenario Plan'. If you get detained, arrested, or are the victim of a crime, who will you call and what will you do?
  
• Let someone back home know of your travel plans and ask them to check-in with you if they don't hear from you by a specified date
• Don't act like an idiot just because you're on vacation
• Travel smart

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