Fly Free as a Courier
An air courier, also called an on-board courier, is someone who agrees to give up most of his luggage allowance in order to transport cargo for a company. Air couriers became popular after the World Trade Center was attacked, because airlines stopped allowing unaccompanied baggage on planes. Air couriers usually provide this service in order to get discounted air fares, but occasionally, they can fly for free.
Contents
Steps
- Call the airlines and ask about courier services. Some will have their own department for handling customers' courier needs, while others use an outside company. Some may use a courier broker, who works with several companies to match couriers with customers. Ask the airlines what companies they have worked with.
- Contact the courier companies in your area and offer your services. To be an air courier, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid passport. Courier companies also require that you maintain a professional appearance.
- Decide where you want to go and when, then let the courier company know that you are available to travel during a certain range of dates. The more flexible you are, the better your chance of getting a steeply discounted airfare. You can get the best rates, and may be able to travel for free, if you can be ready to travel on very short notice.
- Pack carefully. Your cargo will probably count as your checked baggage, leaving you with only a carry-on bag for your flight. If you are able to stay at your destination for several days before returning home (the courier company determines when this will be), you will have to live out of your carry-on.
- Follow the instructions of the courier company carefully. If you don't, you will not be offered another opportunity to act as an air courier.
Tips
- The more you work as an air courier, the better you will become at it. At first it may seem to be more trouble than it's worth, but with time you'll learn how to "work the system" and get the most out of your trip.
Warnings
- Since 9/11 it has become almost impossible for anyone to become an Onboard Courier as suggested in this article. You will not find any courier company that will send important cargo/packages with just anyone. Onboard courier companies now only use experienced staff that have been with the company for while, usually 5 years. In most cases assignments are carried out by management,
- If you want to travel with other people, be aware that they will probably not be able to act as air couriers on the same flight you're taking. You will have to take separate flights, sometimes days apart. Your traveling companions may have to purchase ordinary tickets.
- It is probably not worth your money to buy a list of courier companies, since they have been sold to thousands of other prospective air couriers and the competition will be stiff. Instead, contact a few reliable courier companies in your area. Be aware that many of these companies want to offer the best flights to their own staff, so you must be persistent at first.
