File puptcrit/puptcrit.0609, message 277


From: Jimsan777-AT-aol.com
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2006 01:13:45 EDT
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Travelling abroad with puppets...airline



In a message dated 9/4/06 7:53:01 AM, creaturiste-AT-magma.ca writes:

This may be a long answer, but I know of no one who's traveled more by plane 
than I.   I've been from Siberia to Singapore, Japan 14 times, all over South 
America and of course to dozens and dozens of US cities.   I've been to Korea 
four times for shows, Micronesia, Australia, Hong Kong, Iran, Israel, Belarus, 
Russia, etc., etc. but that's not the point.   

In the past three months, we've sent "Charlie and Lola" to Chicago, Detroit, 
Minneapolis, Boston and New York. It used to be simple...boxes containing 
puppets could weigh up to 70 pounds and have dimensions of 72 inche...H+W+L, but 
now max is 62 inches or pay extra. If the box weighs 51 pound, you pay $25 
(cheap) ...happened to me last week on return from Atlanta (where I performed for 
the Center for Puppetry Arts black tie Gala fund raising event....an excellent 
fund raiser, I might add.)

> How safe and secure are our puppets in the baggage compartment on planes?
> I have no fear of flying (although I have yet to fly in a plane) but a fear
> of one day losing puppets in transit or even at arrival.
> 
Damage occurs now from the almost intentional CRAMMING of the puppets and 
sets back into the boxes after TSA opens them, throws stuff around and does NOT 
restrap the boxes.   Next come the baggage handlers...best to take non-stop 
flights as they have only two changes at damage...once at departure point, and 
again when you return.   If you have change in planes, they must load, unload, 
load onto the second plane and unload again...giving them 4 shots at your 
stuff.

How can you have never flown on a plane? In this day and time, I find this 
incredible.   I have over 12,000 hours of flying time....and that time is as a 
pilot...many, many thousands more....but mostly happily with a drink in my hand 
in the back of the airplane...preferably in First Class...
> 
> Wouldn't it be a disaster, if one were travelling to perform a show, and the
> puppets got lost?
> Has that happened to anybody here?
> Was it recovered or permanently lost?
> 
None permanently lost, but I've had whole shows disappear for a few days, and 
some parts of a show don't make the change i planes....if you take a smaller 
plane with limited baggage space, your stuff may arrive a day later. Once, I 
got off in Washington, DC, but the puppets went to Paris...at that time I had 
wished for the reverse. I've had cases completely distroyed by baggage 
handlers, but happily with my new way of building the shipping boxes, fibreglassing 
them, 6 wheels to roll them, etc. We've had little damage considering the many 
places we have performed.

In Moscow, the customs woman demanded to Weigh my boxes upon arrival..then 
demanded $400...which were the only English words she knew....a complete bribe.  
 I went over, found a seat, sat down and opened a book. I told someone to 
tell her I had been invited by the government to perform, and I would either take 
the   next flight back to the US or see her loose her job!   To Croatia, no 
excess baggage charges, but outbound they wanted to charge me $800.
> 
> What can we do to prevent this kind of catastrophy?
> Is there a way we can wait next to the plane when they unload the cargo
> area, to claim our baggae?
> 
ARe you kidding?   SEcurity TSA people are so paranoid they won't even let 
you watch as they open your bags...and don't pack anything small and valuable
......
> 
> Just planning WAY ahead, someday I shall travel with my puppets.
> 
Just PRAY we don't have another airplane terrorist disaster..or else we will 
all be forced to fly in our birthday suits.

Just the facts, just the facts, Sir.....as Joe Friday used to say.. (remember 
him?)   Jim Gamble
> 
> 
> 

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