Luggage Shipping Companies Allow Travelers to Fly Light

Luggage shipping companies at one time may have been only for those well-heeled vacationers who chose not to deal with the hassles of airport check-ins, too many bags, insufficient room, etc. Today luggage shipping companies are seeing a steady increase in demand for their services from travel agents, cruise passengers, resort guests, senior citizens, children going to camp, college students, and families with small children. They are also being used by both business and leisure travelers.

In a July 31 press release, Luggage Free, a leading New York shipping company, said that AAA estimated airline travel over the Fourth of July week saw some 4.7 million Americans flying to their destinations and home again. Included in those numbers were more families than in days past. Luggage Free said that the demand for the company's luggage shipping services has been steadily increasing.

Jeff Boyd is the president of Luggage Free, which was founded in 2002. In the press release he said that "families are seeing great value in what we offer. They can ship excess items ahead of time and free up their hands, which allows them to better tend to their children during travel. Educating families about our service is critical. Out of pure necessity, families with small children often pack more than the average traveler and we are an obvious solution."

The company has the ability to handle everything from standard luggage pieces to car seats to baby cribs to formula - virtually anything a traveler or family of travelers may need at their destination, but cannot take on a plane.

Luggage shipping companies attribute the initial interest in their companies to the tight government and airlines restrictions after 9/11. However, as word has gotten out, families and others have made the companies even more popular.

International Port Services is another shipping company that will pick up a traveler's luggage or other items at their home or office and transport it directly to the designated hotel, vacation spot or even a cruise ship - as well as return the items to the customer's home or office. The company's website states that there is no shipping request they can't handle, including international shipping needs.

Luggage Concierge is a luggage shipping company that was featured on NBC's Today Show in January in a segment about the tremendous increase in lost luggage belonging to air travelers. The company's website reports that 3.5 million bags were mishandled by U.S. airlines between Jan. and Nov. 2006. That's an astounding 17 percent increase from 2005, which is the worst year for lost luggage since 1990.

In Aug. 2006, airline and government restrictions involving lotions and gels in carry-on bags were greatly increased. That increased the number of bags passengers checked, which put a tremendous burden on airlines' baggage handlers.

As a result, luggage shipping companies have come to the forefront, which has been good business for them and beneficial to the airlines, as well. Now, with the ability to send virtually anything to their travel destinations, virtually worry-free, travelers of every kind, going to an array of places, are taking advantage of the ability to send their important belongings ahead of them and home again.

Sources:

Press release, Luggage Forwarding Service Lightens Load for Parents, Families; http://www.prweb.com/releases/luggage/shipping/prweb543697.htm

IPS; http://www.intlportservices.com/luggage_shipping.asp

Luggage Concierge; http://www.luggageconcierge.com/faq.asp