From: "Michael Nelson" <mnelson-AT-i-cafe.net>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Flying vs shipping
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 09:17:09 -0700


I agree with Jimsan here, building the show to travel with you is much more
economical.  We build our boxes out of 1/8 inch plywood and fiberglass them
(have used both polyester resin and epoxy); they are very light and they
have survived many air trips very well.  As we use them for our staging
base, they are smooth boxes (no handles, etc.), so when we air travel we
slip them into nylon zippered cases so that they have handles (we use nylon
straps).  Leather strips on the bottom corners and edges protect the nylon
from chafing.  The nylon covering may help protect the boxes as well.  We
have had very few instances of damage, although now I put a velcro flap
cover over the zipper grip (not the whole zipper, just the little part you
grab) as those have been the weak point in the system.  I think they stick
straight out and then get wrenched off unless protected.  We have had no
problems since putting on the velcro.  As I have never shipped, I can not
comment on that, but if you already have built your show, you will have to
evaluate your particular situation as to how all this might work for you.
Best of luck,
Michael Nelson

----- Original Message -----
From: <Jimsan777-AT-aol.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2002 11:53 PM
Subject: Re: PUPT: Flying vs shipping


>     All our shows are built to fly....it's much less expensive to utilize
> baggage allowance than to ship.  Weight and size are major
> considerations...I've discussed this over and over on puptcrit....Maybe I
> should write a book.
>     I shipped three boxes to Japan on my first tour there....cost $200
> outbound, but $2000 on return (plus carnet and via unaccompanied air
> freight)...tariffs are different FROM Japan than TO Japan. Once I took six
> boxes from LA to Sacramento...at the time, they allowed me four, so the
two
> extra boxes each way cost more than my ticket....so I bought a second
ticket.
>      Last year I flew from Tel Aviv to Minsk...airfare $495.  Excess
baggage
> charges (I only had three boxes...the same 3 that I took from LA to Tel
Aviv
> as my entire baggage allowance) but since they had different regulations
> within Europe than from the US, I was charged an additional $500 for
excess
> baggage.
>     Originally, back about 35 years ago, when I was an airline pilot and
> before deregulation, I created my boxes (which also serve as bases for my
> stages) to be the maximum size and weight for baggage.  Now, each airline
> sets it's own size and weight..For example, United is very restrictive, so
I
> don't give them any of my money anymore.  Alaska, Northwest, Continental
and
> Southwest Airlines are much more reasonable...max weight is 70 pounds, max
> size is length plus girth, but varies from airline to airline....so much
for
> the advantages of deregulation.
>     I will try to locate some of the articles that I wrote about four
years
> ago on this subject...A lot depends on where you are going....Jim Gamble
>     FWIW...for your non-standard bags, the airlines will not accept
> responsibility for poking holes in your cases, or smashing them...even if
you
> build them out of steel....they train their baggage smashers to drop,
gouge,
> tear, smash and destroy your baggage.
>
>
>
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