SHIP LUGGAGE
May 2nd, 2017 | 07:56 AM
#21
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,629
Likes: 0
I can't lift or carry more than about 15 lbs at the moment and have mobility issues. My financial circumstances are such that I might want to ship luggage if the cost is in the $125 per bag range. I am in my late 60s.
This is a true description of my current circumstances and is the kind of information people on travel forums need to help someone.
The reality is shipping costs from the US to Europe are very much higher than $125 per bag, but can be easily arranged.
My advice to myself is to arrange help at the airports, which I legitmately need. I have been met by a wheelchair or buggy and have been helped with luggage and taken to the meeting point for a private car or to the taxi rank. This is not brain surgery and is easily arranged ahead if time (emphasis on that) with the airline.
In good health, I would never impose on the airline, would and do pack as lightly as possible but certainly I could get one or more 50lb bags off the carousel, on to a trolley and out the door. Shipping, imo, just means another set of logistics to deal with unless one's personal secretary does it for one, in which case one probably wouldn't be inquiring on a public forum.
So,in summary, if your situation is similar to mine, contact the airline, pay the excess baggage fee if you are over the limit and arrange for assistance. I have received excellent support from BA, Virgin, Southwest, easyJet, Delta.
This is a true description of my current circumstances and is the kind of information people on travel forums need to help someone.
The reality is shipping costs from the US to Europe are very much higher than $125 per bag, but can be easily arranged.
My advice to myself is to arrange help at the airports, which I legitmately need. I have been met by a wheelchair or buggy and have been helped with luggage and taken to the meeting point for a private car or to the taxi rank. This is not brain surgery and is easily arranged ahead if time (emphasis on that) with the airline.
In good health, I would never impose on the airline, would and do pack as lightly as possible but certainly I could get one or more 50lb bags off the carousel, on to a trolley and out the door. Shipping, imo, just means another set of logistics to deal with unless one's personal secretary does it for one, in which case one probably wouldn't be inquiring on a public forum.
So,in summary, if your situation is similar to mine, contact the airline, pay the excess baggage fee if you are over the limit and arrange for assistance. I have received excellent support from BA, Virgin, Southwest, easyJet, Delta.
May 2nd, 2017 | 09:16 AM
#23
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
As I look at the replies, two people answered the question posed. Many of you provided "sage" but obviously irrelevant advice to the poster: travel light, rely on others at the airport, etc. And, then, several of you tried to justify your non-responsive response in later posts. Janis, in an attempt to summarize, provided 4 so-called answers to the initial question, but only one (#4) was. I can certainly understand why the OP might want to turn to another forum!
May 2nd, 2017 | 09:27 AM
#25
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
OP does have a point.
She asked for recommendations on a carrier. She did NOT ask if she SHOULD do it.
First respondent answered the questions, and she should have provided thanks for that.
Some advised taking it with on the aircraft as it would be cheaper - OK, can useful advice.
Those who told her she was packing too much - not useful.
I often traveled with 2-3 suitcases back in the day when I traveled Business Class and you could, and I was on business travelling to 6 different countries with different climates. Would I do it again - NEVER. Would I castigate someone else for doing it - NEVER.
She asked for recommendations on a carrier. She did NOT ask if she SHOULD do it.
First respondent answered the questions, and she should have provided thanks for that.
Some advised taking it with on the aircraft as it would be cheaper - OK, can useful advice.
Those who told her she was packing too much - not useful.
I often traveled with 2-3 suitcases back in the day when I traveled Business Class and you could, and I was on business travelling to 6 different countries with different climates. Would I do it again - NEVER. Would I castigate someone else for doing it - NEVER.
May 2nd, 2017 | 09:51 AM
#26
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,232
Likes: 12
I agree that the OP did not ask for most of the advice they received.
But I also think if they did not want opinions (they are not a new poster here, they know how these forum work) they could have just looked up the information themselves online.
But I also think if they did not want opinions (they are not a new poster here, they know how these forum work) they could have just looked up the information themselves online.
May 3rd, 2017 | 12:16 AM
#27
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Cathinjoetown - there are services that will pickup your luggage at the airport and forward it to your Paris address.
Along with the companies already mentioned, take a look at:
https://www.bagagesrservices.com/
http://www.lebagager.com/
Rather than shipping your luggage from the USA to your hotel, these companies simply pickup your luggage at CDG/ORY and make sure it reaches your hotel without your needing to carry it. Upon airport arrival, you can explore Paris without your luggage and at hotel checkin time, your luggage will already be there waiting for you.
The SNCF also provides such a service which can be arranged at the same time you purchase train tickets.
Along with the companies already mentioned, take a look at:
https://www.bagagesrservices.com/
http://www.lebagager.com/
Rather than shipping your luggage from the USA to your hotel, these companies simply pickup your luggage at CDG/ORY and make sure it reaches your hotel without your needing to carry it. Upon airport arrival, you can explore Paris without your luggage and at hotel checkin time, your luggage will already be there waiting for you.
The SNCF also provides such a service which can be arranged at the same time you purchase train tickets.
May 3rd, 2017 | 03:46 AM
#28
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,629
Likes: 0
Thank you, Sarastro, very good to know although up to now the airport assistance arranged through the airline has been enough, but there could come a time....
Fortunately, when traveling with my husband, he can handle our luggage. He's not as big a fan of Paris as I am so when we lived near Toulouse I made the trip on my own several times.
I can't say enough good things about helpful everyone has always been, UK and US airports as well. On those short Paris trips, I just had a carry-on but was very grateful for the wheelchair assistance.
Fortunately, when traveling with my husband, he can handle our luggage. He's not as big a fan of Paris as I am so when we lived near Toulouse I made the trip on my own several times.
I can't say enough good things about helpful everyone has always been, UK and US airports as well. On those short Paris trips, I just had a carry-on but was very grateful for the wheelchair assistance.
