Friday, August 18, 2006
How To Ship Luggage to the Canary Islands
Jaunted travel blog say, "That tears it--we're never checking a bag again", after the reports that 20,000 bags got lost at Heathrow airport alone during last week's chaos. That's not to mention the damage we suffer frequently and, that there have been many extra reports of thefts from baggage last week.
Indeed, after my own suitcase was mauled on a transatlantic flight, I made this same vow and, in the last 25 years, have only checked hold baggage on a couple of occasions out of many trips to various places. Yes, I'm one of those annoying people, capable of packing two week's worth of clothing in one carry-on bag - something that will be much harder to achieve with the new regulations limiting us to one piece of hand-luggage of about half the size of that which was previously permitted.
"According to the new rules, hand luggage must not exceed 45cm x 35cm x 16cm (about 17.7in x 13.7in x 6.2in), including wheels, handles and side pockets.", says BBC report Packing it all in. See their Latest baggage advice here.
Doesn't leave much room, does it, but I still have no intention of trusting my valuables to the average baggage handling outfit, if I can avoid it!
And as one commenter says, "I'm all for reducing hand luggage on flights, but the airlines, airports and insurance companies have to do their bit too and guarantee free replacement of any lost items!" And we know they blooming well aren't, so Jaunted's idea of shipping items instead is not at all far fetched.
Jaunted then point to a company called Luggage Free, who can do international shipping for you door-to-door from the US.
They also mention that the shippers "wrap the bag in about a billion layers of protective plastic", which reminds me about the posters at Tenerife's Reina Sofia airport. English speakers may not be aware of the play on words that goes with the advertising to "plastifique su equipaje". Yes, it means wrapping your luggage in plastic. It can also mean placing a condom on your member. :)
Call it "safe flying", if you like!
That should help you to (re)member that such a shrink wrapping service exists here. (Or it did.) And it might deter baggage handlers from dipping.
What about shipping luggage from the UK to the Canary Islands?
This is probably not of much interest to the average holiday maker, but might be to the "swallows" (mature folk who spend the entire winter here) or those moving to the islands. Other services exist if you are moving whole house contents, but if you are only bringing personal items, these may be of more use:
The Excess Baggage Company, handle removals and excess baggage worldwide, specifically advertise removals to the Canary Islands and provide air freight services to and from the Canary Islands, "ideal for those last minute items."
Excess Luggage are specialist baggage moving service provider in the UK and offer shipping services by air, sea, & road as well as express delivery to the door worldwide.
And don't forget that pets are often treated as Excess baggage too.
How To Ship Luggage
Related links:
Expats.org.uk
BritishExpats.com
