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Courier Travel - Jon Crowl
A Pirate’s Guide to Courier Travel
Most seasoned travelers are well aware of the benefits of traveling as
a courier. If you’re willing to be flexible with your departure
date (and possibly your destination) you can save some serious money
abroad. The trick, however, is knowing where to look for courier
opportunities, and understanding how the process of traveling as a
courier works. But if you get a good deal, you might be able to
save anywhere from 50% to 100% off the ticket price anywhere—even
overseas. That’s right, travel abroad for free!
The Terms
When you agree to be a courier for a courier company, you agree to
transport items with you from your departing locale to your
destination. Often this could be documents for businesses, small
tech equipment, or small packages. Courier companies choose to
send them with airline passengers rather than to ship them via freight,
which takes longer and often costs more than purchasing an airline
ticket for a passenger. However, law requires that anything
shipped via commercial airline must accompany a passenger, so they have
to find people to fly with their freight. The hitch is that as a
courier, you have to be willing to give up your luggage allowance,
meaning all you can bring with you is what you can carry on to the
cabin. Still, it is not difficult to fit everything you need into
a carry-on if you pack efficiently, and some courier companies,
depending on the freight, will allow you to check some luggage.
Where to Find Opportunities
First, figure out where you want to go, allowing for flexibility when
leaving, and make sure your passport and visas are in order. When
you are trying to find a ticket as a courier, you can go through a
booking agent—if you are willing to pay a small fee—or you can call the
courier company directly.
Keep In Mind
When traveling as a courier, it is likely that you will never actually
come in contact with the cargo being flown under your name. Also,
when you meet with the courier representative (usually at the airport)
keep in mind that they are accustomed to dealing with beginnings
traveling as couriers, and are generally very helpful answering
questions, so don’t be afraid to act like you don’t know what you’re
doing.
If you’re willing to concede a little convenience, traveling as a
courier has tremendous upside. It’s risk-free, and the cheapest
way to travel. Plus it frees up money in your wallet for when you
get to where you’re going!
Contact Jon at HostelPirate@gmail.com
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