A little long courier story:

Years ago, when I was more adventurous, I flew a few courier flights to Germany. I think it was called "World Courier" out of Queens NYC. Anyway, at that time the deal was I showed up at their office about 3PM. At the end of the work day (5 PM) they drove me over to JFK. They handled all the check in procedures. I was allowed one "check in" on bag. Now the fun begins!

We land in Geneva where I meet a "Man wearing a World Courier hat" who will 'escort' you to the baggage claim area! After he removes the 'courier packet' we get in the 'courier' van and I was taken to a small room where I was on my own till 5 pm Geneva time.

At 5PM I was picked up and taken to the airport where 'another courier packet' was checked in along with my 1 pc of luggage and we took off for Munich.

In Munich the plane(Prop-jet) stopped just before the passenger gate and the 'World Courier and airport security' agents came on the plane to 'retrieve ME'!! I had my own personal escort thru customs (very James Bond..ish!!)

Now it is gettin late but there is one more leg to Frankfort and another 'courier packet'.

Finally arrive about midnight, tired and weary, but I still had to meet my 'final contact' and make the final 'courier packet drop'

I am given a ride to a small hotel near the airport, handed a return ticket dated a week later, for a nonstop back to JFK. Ordeal over, Free trip to Europe!!

This, of course, was before 9-11 and I am sure the deal today is totally different!

John

oops That of course was "Final stop FRANKFURT GERMANY.

Sorry, It is a bit early and I am watching the snow fall here in New Jersey that was not suppose to happen till later tonight!!

bmw732002,
I liked your story! I had been a courier with them years ago. The place in Queens was easy to get a flight on but now after 9/11 it seems complex.

Connie
I was using my Dads computer and posted under his screen name.

Flying courier. I flew eight courier flights LAX HNL SYD HNL LAX and LAX AKL SYD LAX plus LAX SYD LAX in the heydey of courier travel (1985 2000) Another two were with my wife following the next day LAX AKL SYD LAX. The business plan was that courier companies could get same day customs clearance of their freight as "passengers' baggage". That all evaporated when the airlines struck their own deal with the courier companies and the down under Customs Services to get immediate clearamce for their (courier companies') freight.
Also, 9-11 didn't help, as courier companies increasingly turned to their own employees for courier services.
The best bet now I believe is to join the "International Association of Air Couriers" . I was once a member and got regular newsletters on opportunities, plus access to a website which showed late-breaking opportunities.
There are no "questionable" shipments with the widely know courier companies, many of whom act as consolidators for small freight forwarders, otherwise they wouldn't stay in business.
I don't know what opportunities are out there today ... but I sure saved a bundle and had some fun trips, including a once-in-a-lifetime SYD-LAX biz class ride, a $4,000 +/- value!!!!