hello all

i have been trying to do some research on flying to london as a courier but have uncovered very little. for you profesional budget travelers out there, i need some help!

i am a college student looking to backpack western europe for a few weeks this may; however, the cash-flow is extremely limitted and therefore do not want to spend a great deal on transportation. i have read some things about flying internationally as a courier, but have some further basic questions...

first and foremost: are all courier services trustworthy? how can i tell if one is/is not?

what frequency do courier flights leave the eastern US and which cities are most likely using couriers? is this dependent on a product being shipped from a certain city in greater quantities than others?

finally, for now: if i am to rely on a courier flight, can i just go to an international airport, approach an American Air desk and be on my way within the day? how variable are courier flights and how should i plan for this?

thanks--this poor college student appreciates any and all responses and suggestions!!

I think you can find out information about this in some guidebooks geared to your age -- maybe Let's Go, things like that.

I don't know how common this is any more with standard courier services like DHL, etc. I have done legal consulting and we had to send things to Europe and we never in a million years would have used some stranger hanging around an airport for this. I don't think this will work because you want to backpack around Eruope for a while. Those flights that did exist for that required you to give up your checked luggage space for the service, that's why they used a courier -- so you could only have carryon stuff which is getting more and more limited. Also, I think you have to register ahead and maybe be checked in some way. On the east coast, probably mainly New York for departures.

I'd suggest you look for a different way to handle your transportation. Are you aware there are some companies that have cheaper tickets that are basically standby seats? Since you have a lot of free time, but not money, that could work for you. YOu may have to hang around an airport a while or even a couple days, but it's a possibility. The only company I know of to name is Air Tech who does this and is reputable. Here is their web site, check it out

http://www.airtech.com/

There is another (or used to be) but I think they are extremely unethical and unprofessional, and I won't even mention their name as I don't want to give them the slightest bit of publicity. YOu can also check some student travel agencies, they may have reduced air fare, like STA travel.

Darling, years ago that was possible, but now with the drug traffic and the political climate, you will be detained and never get to where you had hoped to be.

In any case - when they did do this the couriers had to be bonded - no hanging around in airports - you had to register with the company, go through the bonding process - and then be ready to leave at 24 hours notice. But I haven;t heard of this being done in several years.

Have you checked student prices for airfare to Europe?

If the courier method doesn't work, check for student airfares -- use Concil Travel and STA Travel, for example -- but they could now be the same.

International courier is alive and well.

<b>http://www.courier.org/</b>

thanks everyone, very much, for the responses.

student pricing is still pretty expensive--i am very poor but know that this is the time in my life when europe will be least expensive and, more importantly, am not tied down to a job/family.

nytraveler...what is this &quot;bonding&quot; etc.? please tell me more, and what kind of company is most likley to use a courier...large, small, and where would i find one?

AAfrequentflyer...any more information, it seems like you know what you're talking about, can you share some recent experiences?

thanks again all!!! and please send any more ideas!!!

Someone above listed a reference for a company.

Bonding is a process through which an employee responsible for sensitive documents/information is approved for access. It includes filling out a number of forms and a basic background check: criminal record, credit history, name and address verification etc. (I don;t know all the details - but its a very standard process for certain levle/type of employee.)

NYTraveler gave you correct information regarding being qualified for a bond through a Courier Company. I know as I owned an Independent Insurance Agency for years.

Good luck with your venture.