There is Nothing that Freaks Me More than . . . .

star-phoenix · Post by **star-phoenix** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:26 pm

There is nothing that freaks me out more than having to pack a very large, EXPENSIVE cel in a suit case that is worth more than what the Airlines are willing to insure for + they refuse to hold any responsibility for artwork!

So far, I have stuck the cel between 2 inch thick hard cardboards, wrapped in 2 layers of bubble wrap, wrapped around 4 layers of clothing with their own bubble wrap, + added more bubble wraps in the small pockets on the outer regions, + taped signs all over the suit case yelling out "FRAGILE. HANDLE WITH CARE!"

I think it would literally take a fork lift to run over the darn suit case to damage the cel, but I am still nervous as Heck on it getting lost or worse1 Plus, it is too big to be a carry on.

So, I am as nervous as a deer in a lion's den right now. Are there any extra measures that I can take in order to increase the chances of a safe trip? I am traveling with Continental Airlines.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:26 pm

At this moment Yippee! I think a lot of people feel that way.

RoboFlonne · Post by **RoboFlonne** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:29 pm

I'm only afraid when they tear it open to make sure it isn't a bomb or something else smuggled in.

I would only put art in carried on luggage.

IT's too big to be carried on? What is it? I can carry a big suit case!

cutiebunny · Post by **cutiebunny** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:56 pm

If I were you, I'd just consider sending it USPS. Yeah, they can lose things, but you can insure it for quite a bit and it does have tracking. It'll cost more, but, you're almost guranteed that it'll be as minty fresh as the day you packed it yourself.

Working for Customs, I've seen what other people carry in their suitcases and what the airlines can do to those pieces of luggage. There's nothing like having the juice from a 14+ hour unpreserved fish leak all over the family heirloom kimono. I've seen this happen and the man who owned the kimono was not pleased...especially since he purposely went to Japan to pick up the kimono after it had been refurbished.

jenn-b · Post by **jenn-b** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:09 am

That's what I was thinking - the whole send it to yourself thing. But if you'd really like to keep it with you, consider using actual wood as a backing. Most of the Rilezu that I get from Raxa have a piece of board as the support. And there is NOOOOOO bending that. My fear, however, would be water damage. If it rains anywhere during the transfer of your luggage to the plane, it could be sitting in the rain for who knows how long. Just a thought.

stilljaded · Post by **stilljaded** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:54 am

I feel your pain. My recommendation would be to pack it securely and then check the bag plane side, like a stroller or hanging garment bag. Officially it is too large to be a carry on so it goes under the plane, but it is important enough that you get the bag back at the jet bridge and not the baggage claim. That way you know that your bag made the plane, isn't on the bottom of a huge stack of bags and has been minimally handled. I'd check with the airline to make sure and it couldn't be one of those monster-size suitcases, but it should work.

Just a thought and I hope you have a good trip.

Post by **JWR** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:19 am

My solution I came up with was to purchase another suitcase that was not oversized so I carry it on but had the space to hold 11X17 Itoya cel books and kept my cels with me in the overhead.

Okuni · Post by **Okuni** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:38 pm

star-phoenix wrote: So far, I have stuck the cel between 2 inch thick hard cardboards, wrapped in 2 layers of bubble wrap, wrapped around 4 layers of clothing with their own bubble wrap, + added more bubble wraps in the small pockets on the outer regions, + taped signs all over the suit case yelling out "FRAGILE. HANDLE WITH CARE!"

RoboFlonne wrote:I'm only afraid when they tear it open to make sure it isn't a bomb or something else smuggled in.

Roboflonne has a really good point there. If you put that much packaging and bubblestuff around it, customs (or whoever) will have no qualms against slitting it open with a box knife! And possibly damaging the cel. I agree with cutiebunny. It would be a better option to UPS it to yourself (or a relative or trust-worthy friend) if you have the cash.
Airlines really don't give a f**** about your luggage, even though they won't admit it. And then you have to worry about the possibility of theft at the airlines; by other passengers and airline employees! At least with UPS, they have a tracking number. And with USPS, theft of mail is considered a federal crime.

Well, good luck!

ReiTheJelly · Post by **ReiTheJelly** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:45 am

If it is too big to be carried on the plane with you, I would take the consider the following options:

(1) Like others have already said: ship it to yourself.

(2) Go to the hardware store and get sheets of plexiglass. Sandwich it between two pieces. That way, it's virtually unbreakable *and* waterproof.

Where are you traveling with this beast, anyway?

star-phoenix · Post by **star-phoenix** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:56 pm

Hello Everyone,

Well, the good news is that the package arrived safely off the plane and that all is well. I found out from a friend who transported a large stained glass mirror on the plane, there is a storage compartment in the front of the jet that usually holds the business coats of the first class members and the airline staff. So, I asked the stewardess if I could store the cel there, and she was more than helpful (and friendly) about doing it. So, I was able to sit next to my cel the whole way there.

RoboFlonne · Post by **RoboFlonne** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:17 pm

star-phoenix wrote:Hello Everyone,

Well, the good news is that the package arrived safely off the plane and that all is well. I found out from a friend who transported a large stained glass mirror on the plane, there is a storage compartment in the front of the jet that usually holds the business coats of the first class members and the airline staff. So, I asked the stewardess if I could store the cel there, and she was more than helpful (and friendly) about doing it. So, I was able to sit next to my cel the whole way there.

So is it called the first class business coat storage thingamajig? I have to remember that!

wELCOME cONSUMER · Post by **wELCOME cONSUMER** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:53 pm

Sounds like a nerve racking experience, to be sure. I've yet to have to travel with my cels and I wouldn't look forward to doing so either.

Caroline · Post by **Caroline** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:05 am

yikes, i am with cutiebunny. when i moved to california from FL i (very nervously...) shipped my cels instead of flying with them. thanfully they arrived perfectly fine. but i don't know if i can manage the stress all over again...

do airlines not allow cels as carry on? is it something to do with the paint (flammable?)

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:58 pm

Where do you want me to take it?