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Becoming a courier for cheap airfare?

Old 02-10-2009, 09:19 PM
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Default Becoming a courier for cheap airfare?

Hello all!

As an 18 year old university student I plan on "experiencing" life and going backpacking throughout Europe this summer with friends. Ive heard a myth that if FEDEX/UPS etc. has to send a small package or envelope somewhere, and it isn't cost effective using a company plane to ship it to the destination, that they will use passenger "couriers" instead. These "couriers" are passengers taking regular 121 transport, who don't care about departing at the last minute, that accompany the package to the destination and receive considerable discounts on their airfare in return. Ive also heard that it is very easy to "sign up" as one of these couriers and as a broke university and commercial student, this would be very helpful for my summer endeavor. I'm afraid its most likely just a myth or scam but I would appreciate any light shed on this.

Thanks for the help!
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Old 02-11-2009, 06:15 AM
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Don't know about UPS/Fedex but other courier firms have been doing this for a long time. I left University over 20 years ago and this was available then.

Just type Courier flights in Google.
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Old 02-11-2009, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by WorldDC10 View Post
Don't know about UPS/Fedex but other courier firms have been doing this for a long time. I left University over 20 years ago and this was available then.

Just type Courier flights in Google.
DHL used to do that about 25 years ago when I left school. I wonder how it would work in these post 9/11 days. How would you answer the question "did you pack your bags yourself?"
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Old 02-11-2009, 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by 767pilot View Post
DHL used to do that about 25 years ago when I left school. I wonder how it would work in these post 9/11 days. How would you answer the question "did you pack your bags yourself?"
Lie like every married guy I know!
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Old 02-11-2009, 06:49 AM
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Never did it myself, nor do I actually know anyone who did so I hope I'm not wasting bandwidth, but I think in the past couriers were expected to give up their whole baggage allowance for the client; traveling internationally on a budget with nothing but carry-on would be an interesting challenge these days.

I used to be pretty tapped into the budget travel scene and haven't heard much about air courier work in awhile; parcel freight (FedEx, DHL, etc.) just keeps getting better and security restrictions for passenger flights keep getting worse. Can't see it being a viable business these days.

Could be wrong. Let us know what you find out.
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Old 02-11-2009, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by MrPlow View Post
Hello all!

As an 18 year old university student I plan on "experiencing" life and going backpacking throughout Europe this summer with friends.

Ive heard a myth that if FEDEX/UPS etc. has to send a small package or envelope somewhere, and it isn't cost effective using a company plane to ship it to the destination, that they will use passenger "couriers" instead.
MrPlow - since you're calling it a myth I guess you've already made up your mind, haven't you?

I was a courier in the past but that was more than 15 years ago. At the time you could order a brochure called "Shoestring Traveler" where you could look for special deals (the internet wasn't as widely available in those days - I know, hard to believe )

Anyways, I signed up and used their services 3 times; a fairly simple procedure where I had people meet me at the airport and each time I carried envelopes stuffed with documents. I did some research to find out if that stuff was legal, etc. and apparently it was a legit business. “Shoestring” developed into “www.Courier.org” so you might want to check into that.

I only did it 3 times but it was a good deal as each time my tickets were it least 70% cheaper than if I had to pay for them on my own.

Couriers have been around for years but few people sign up for this service because your traveling options are usually very limited. For example you might have to readjust your travel dates based on their and not your needs. Also, remember that you'll get a discount (maybe even up to ~80%) but it won't be totally free. Also, you'll have to sign up to become a member and pay a yearly fee (I paid ~$10/year and don't know how much it is today.)

In your case, since you’re planning on a trip with friends it might be a little more difficult because they will only use one courier on the same flight – in other words your friends will have to pay the full price for their tickets. Very often it is a short notice flight so their tickets might be more expensive than what they’d normally have to pay (in general, the earlier you buy an airline ticket the cheaper it gets).

Some other ‘Europe trip’ advice.

Make sure you’ve been around your friends when they’re tired, grumpy, hungry and fed up with you and everyone else. Sometimes your friends turn into your worst nightmare if they decide that traveling in Europe sucks and you’d just started your trip. Born and raised in Europe myself so I'm a little biased here but my perception is that many Americans (including the younger generation) are not used to walking a whole lot and when they go backpacking in Europe they get a little bit of a culture shock when they realize there's so much walking involved…

Also, choose your countries before your trip and do some research on their history, traditions, famous sights, etc, etc. You’ll enjoy it more that way.

If you’re planning on buying a EuroPass train ticket (Eurail Passes | Official EuRail Website - Travel by Train Across Europe) which I strongly recommend, make sure you pick only a few countries and stick to those countries. Otherwise you’ll have the typical American ‘Europe vacation’ experience where you’ll visit 14+ countries in 14 days and years later all you’ll remember will be sitting on a train or a buss. So pick a place and stick to it for a while.

If money is an issue (like it is for most students) – focus on what we used to call "eastern block European countries" (hint, they hate being called “eastern block” countries as they’re actually located in central Europe and they despise being lumped into the ‘former Soviet/Russian sphere’ category. ) Here, Croatia, the CzechRepublic, Poland and Hungary are my favorites in the region.

If you chose the Scandinavia pass you’ll need some extra money… Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland are probably amongst the most expensive of the European destinations even though their currencies recently dropped significantly against the dollar (Finland uses euro – the others use their own crown - krona/krone - currencies)

If you make it to Stockholm check out the new B747 airport hostel (http://www.jumbohostel.com). Last time I checked you can get a room for less than $40 a night – an amazing price for Stockholm.

Good luck and have fun - you'll have a blast!

PS. Don't go by yourself - especially if you're a female (which I guess you aren't or you'd be Ms.Plow : )).
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Old 02-11-2009, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 767pilot View Post
... How would you answer the question "did you pack your bags yourself?"
I used to carry a letter stating I was a courier. Also, upon arriving at the destination I'd meet my representative prior to the customs line and he/she would take the package through the customs. Their package = their responsibility... Again, this was 15 years ago, not sure about today...
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Old 02-11-2009, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by ⌐ AV8OR WANNABE View Post
MrPlow - since you're calling it a myth I guess you've already made up your mind, haven't you?
I think he's just borrowed the terminology from The Mythbuster's tendency to call Urban Legends Myths, and not implying that the Courier gig was in fact mythical.
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Old 02-11-2009, 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by robthree View Post
I think he's just borrowed the terminology from The Mythbuster's tendency to call Urban Legends Myths, and not implying that the Courier gig was in fact mythical.
I see, makes more sense. Thanks.
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Old 02-11-2009, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ⌐ AV8OR WANNABE
MrPlow - since you're calling it a myth I guess you've already made up your mind, haven't you?

I was a courier in the past but that was more than 15 years ago. At the time you could order a brochure called "Shoestring Traveler" where you could look for special deals (the internet wasn't as widely available in those days - I know, hard to believe)

Anyways, I signed up and used their services 3 times; a fairly simple procedure where I had people meet me at the airport and each time I carried envelopes stuffed with documents. I did some research to find out if that stuff was legal, etc. and apparently it was a legit business. “Shoestring” developed into “www.Courier.org” so you might want to check into that.

I only did it 3 times but it was a good deal as each time my tickets were it least 70% cheaper than if I had to pay for them on my own.

Couriers have been around for years but few people sign up for this service because your traveling options are usually very limited. For example you might have to readjust your travel dates based on their and not your needs. Also, remember that you'll get a discount (maybe even up to ~80%) but it won't be totally free. Also, you'll have to sign up to become a member and pay a yearly fee (I paid ~$10/year and don't know how much it is today.)

In your case, since you’re planning on a trip with friends it might be a little more difficult because they will only use one courier on the same flight – in other words your friends will have to pay the full price for their tickets. Very often it is a short notice flight so their tickets might be more expensive than what they’d normally have to pay (in general, the earlier you buy an airline ticket the cheaper it gets).

Some other ‘Europe trip’ advice.

Make sure you’ve been around your friends when they’re tired, grumpy, hungry and fed up with you and everyone else. Sometimes your friends turn into your worst nightmare if they decide that traveling in Europe sucks and you’d just started your trip. Born and raised in Europe myself so I'm a little biased here but my perception is that many Americans (including the younger generation) are not used to walking a whole lot and when they go backpacking in Europe they get a little bit of a culture shock when they realize there's so much walking involved…

Also, choose your countries before your trip and do some research on their history, traditions, famous sights, etc, etc. You’ll enjoy it more that way.

If you’re planning on buying a EuroPass train ticket (Eurail Passes | Official EuRail Website - Travel by Train Across Europe) which I strongly recommend, make sure you pick only a few countries and stick to those countries. Otherwise you’ll have the typical American ‘Europe vacation’ experience where you’ll visit 14+ countries in 14 days and years later all you’ll remember will be sitting on a train or a buss. So pick a place and stick to it for a while.

If money is an issue (like it is for most students) – focus on what we used to call "eastern block European countries" (hint, they hate being called “eastern block” countries as they’re actually located in central Europe and they despise being lumped into the ‘former Soviet/Russian sphere’ category. ) Here, Croatia, the CzechRepublic, Poland and Hungary are my favorites in the region.

If you chose the Scandinavia pass you’ll need some extra money… Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland are probably amongst the most expensive of the European destinations even though their currencies recently dropped significantly against the dollar (Finland uses euro – the others use their own crown - krona/krone - currencies)

If you make it to Stockholm check out the new B747 airport hostel (http://www.jumbohostel.com). Last time I checked you can get a room for less than $40 a night – an amazing price for Stockholm.

Good luck and have fun - you'll have a blast!

PS. Don't go by yourself - especially if you're a female (which I guess you aren't or you'd be Ms.Plow : )).
Thank you for all the help everybody, especially AV8OR WANNABE, this is exactly the "light" I was hoping to be shed on the subject! robthree is correct in my reasons for using "myth" but it was probably the wrong choice of terminology. Ive researched the various air courier services online but I've always been wary trusting things I have to sign up and pay for on the web in fear of being scammed, I am very glad this is not the case in this situation! Don't worry AV8OR WANNABE I'm an outdoorsy Canadian guy so I should be okay, and plus I consider myself an exception to the "younger generation" . Ive been to Europe on occasion to visit my relatives in England and I'm also a World War 2 history buff so I'm aware of the vast "walking" distances involved lol.Thanks for all the Europe backpacking tips, especially the Eurorail one, I wouldn't want my Canadian vacation "experience" to be one of sitting on a train or a buss at all for the majority of my trip.

Everyone's help has been much appreciated! Thanks!
MrPlow


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