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hstrybuf
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 09:32 pm | 1st Post |
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By Sarah Schlichter
Updated 8:44 a.m. CT, Tues., July 8, 2008
If you're like most travelers, you've probably never considered shipping your luggage ahead of you instead of carrying it with you on a trip. Sure, over the holidays you might mail a few gifts to your destination instead of having the TSA root through your suitcase and ruin your perfect wrapping job, but otherwise it probably seems more practical, convenient and economical to check your bags with your airline.
But is this still the case? Most major airlines are now charging travelers to check a first or second bag on domestic flights — even as they continue to mishandle luggage in record numbers. (If you thought luggage delays were frustrating before, imagine how you'll feel if your airline loses a bag that you paid $25 to check!) And if your bag is overweight, be prepared to shell out $50 or more in penalties on top of whatever fees you're already paying for the privilege of checking that bag.
In light of these changes, shipping your suitcase may suddenly look like a more attractive alternative. While it's still generally more expensive to ship a suitcase than to check it, the latest airline fees have narrowed the cost differential — and what you gain in convenience and reliability may be worth paying a few extra bucks.
More here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25459587/
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Deb
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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kathy32259
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 09:49 pm | 2nd Post |
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Thanks for posting this Deb. I was seriously thinking of shipping my bags for the Panama Canal cruise next March. Even tho I am exempt from being charged - I was looking into it for the convenience. My friends are certainly looking to ship their luggage ahead - for cost and convenience. I would love to hear from someone who has done this. My greatest fear is boarding a 2 week cruise with no luggage.....
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Family Man
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 09:53 pm | 3rd Post |
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kathy32259 wrote: My greatest fear is boarding a 2 week cruise with no luggage.....
That would REALLY suck!
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:59 am | 4th Post |
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I have used various shipping companies and have been very satisfied. It is WELL worth the extra $$ to me for the hassle-less travels thru the airports. Nobody pawing thru your underwear!
They pick it up at your home and you find it either in your cabin or hotel room. Easy!
Now with the airlines charging for your bags and losing more and more all the time, I will use the luggage valet service more & more.
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Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
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kathy32259
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 11:52 am | 5th Post |
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Catnip wrote: I have used various shipping companies and have been very satisfied. It is WELL worth the extra $$ to me for the hassle-less travels thru the airports. Nobody pawing thru your underwear!
They pick it up at your home and you find it either in your cabin or hotel room. Easy!
Now with the airlines charging for your bags and losing more and more all the time, I will use the luggage valet service more & more.
Which service do you use? I would love to find my luggage in my cabin when I board the Pride in March!! That would be awesome!!  Plus - do they offer guarantees? Insurance?
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Catnip
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:07 pm | 6th Post |
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For my last QE 2 crossing, I used the "White Star" luggage service thru Cunard (which was DHL). We are planning to use it again for our next crossing on the QE 2 in October.
Domestically, I have used FEDEX (you can ship your suitcases and they do not have to be in a spcial box) numerous times without any problem.
I also used a luggage company a few years ago, but I can't remember the name. I will see if I can find it.
But, there are many different companies now that offer the luggage services.
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32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state". - Claire Wolfe
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 02:20 pm | 7th Post |
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Here are a few that I found:
The Luggage Club
http://www.theluggageclub.com/?gclid=CPDbyuWEvZQCFQNfFQodbhDhSw
Luggage Forward
http://www.luggageforward.com/?gclid=COnXv_iEvZQCFQVvFQodHRZcTw
luggagefree
http://www.luggagefree.com/
Sports Express (sports equipment and luggage)
http://www.sportsexpress.com/
Luggage Concierge
http://www.luggageconcierge.com/faq.asp
Also check FedEx, DHL and UPS
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Deb
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
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kathy32259
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 02:29 pm | 8th Post |
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| Thanks for the info Deb and Denise. I am leaning toward FedX - or DHL. Track records make a difference for me. I really like the idea of not schlepping all those cases around LAX!! I think this will be the ticket!
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 03:09 pm | 9th Post |
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I know DHL and FEDEX will take suitcases. The last time I checked with UPS ( a year or so ago), they would only take suitcases if they were in a box.
____________________
32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state". - Claire Wolfe
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shoreguy
Charter Member
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 04:46 pm | 10th Post |
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If you are flying American out of JFK today better hope you shipped your bags. Passengers are being given a choice of flying without their checked bags or not flying. It seems the automated scanning equipment has failed and 100s of bags are backed up in the airport.
Airline officials said that the problem appears to be with a sensor that directs bags to the appropriate gate, and was not a problem with a conveyor belt, as was earlier reported.
Last edited on Wed Jul 30th, 2008 04:58 pm by shoreguy
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BigDfromTN
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 04:55 pm | 11th Post |
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shoreguy wrote: If you are flying American out of JFK today better hope you shipped your bags. Passengers are being given a choice of flying without their checked bags or not flying. It seems the automated scanning equipment has failed and 100s of bags are backed up in the airport.
Airline officials said that the problem appears to be with a sensor that directs bags to the appropriate gate, and was not a problem with a conveyor belt, as was earlier reported.
Now that is Terrible. How is the airlines ever going to get all those bags caught up with all those fliers going to all those places???? NOT!!!!!!
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shoreguy
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 04:59 pm | 12th Post |
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BigDfromTN wrote: shoreguy wrote: If you are flying American out of JFK today better hope you shipped your bags. Passengers are being given a choice of flying without their checked bags or not flying. It seems the automated scanning equipment has failed and 100s of bags are backed up in the airport.
Airline officials said that the problem appears to be with a sensor that directs bags to the appropriate gate, and was not a problem with a conveyor belt, as was earlier reported.
Now that is Terrible. How is the airlines ever going to get all those bags caught up with all those fliers going to all those places???? NOT!!!!!!
Who Know 
American was giving passengers the choice of waiting out the problem, or flying on without their luggage and having the bags delivered later.
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Catnip
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 07:09 pm | 13th Post |
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shoreguy wrote:
American was giving passengers the choice of waiting out the problem, or flying on without their luggage and having the bags delivered later.
They'll never see their bags again!!!!! What a FUBAR! 
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32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state". - Claire Wolfe
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 12:40 am | 14th Post |
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| And the pain of flying continues to get worse.
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Deb
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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nhrich
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Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 12:28 pm | 15th Post |
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hstrybuf wrote: And the pain of flying continues to get worse.
Yeah, just when you think it can't. 
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insidecabin
Casual Cruiser
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Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 03:00 pm | 16th Post |
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shoreguy wrote: If you are flying American out of JFK today better hope you shipped your bags. Passengers are being given a choice of flying without their checked bags or not flying. It seems the automated scanning equipment has failed and 100s of bags are backed up in the airport.
Airline officials said that the problem appears to be with a sensor that directs bags to the appropriate gate, and was not a problem with a conveyor belt, as was earlier reported.
T5 heathrow all over again.
If on a long cruise why not ship some kit to a port half way through trip, and ship the dirty stuff back.
Then hope the cruise does not get re-routed.
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 06:14 pm | 17th Post |
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insidecabin wrote:
T5 heathrow all over again.
Is T-5 terrible? We're flying on British Air out of T-5 at Heathrow in October.
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32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state". - Claire Wolfe
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insidecabin
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Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 06:36 pm | 18th Post |
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Catnip wrote: insidecabin wrote: T5 heathrow all over again.
Is T-5 terrible? We're flying on British Air out of T-5 at Heathrow in October.
It is OK now or just not news anymore.
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kimdave68
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Posted: Thu Jul 31st, 2008 10:37 pm | 19th Post |
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Cardinal rule applies always!
Attachment: murphy.jpg (Downloaded 27 times)
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Catnip
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Posted: Fri Aug 1st, 2008 12:28 am | 20th Post |
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kimdave68 wrote: Cardinal rule applies always!
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32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state". - Claire Wolfe
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kathy32259
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Sat Aug 2nd, 2008 05:46 pm | 21st Post |
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kimdave68 wrote: Cardinal rule applies always!
OMG - (See Letter to Airlines thread....)
All of those stranded this week were discussing this very topic - JFK luggage problems. We were wondering if you PAID for your bags did you get a refund??? That sucked big time. No wonder the baggage claim was more than happy to pull my bag for me when I got stranded and had to go to a hotel.....
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Next:
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