Name of company which pay you for taking parcels/bags?
Jul 2, 2018, 6:04 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
Not sure why so many are saying this is no longer going on? Why would you think so? I am working as flight courier for three companies in the last 5 years. Work is irregularly, as its very much on demand - about 2-5 times a year, irregularly. So its not like a job or something. More like an opportunity to head to some destination at short (more like very short) notice, get some air miles and get paid a little for your trouble.
All three companies I am registered with work internationally, but require me to pickup mostly from mainland China, or on occasions some other destination. Normally it goes like this:
1. I get an sms, specially when in the middle of the night for a request (Like: "Hi, you free for delivery 2mrw afternoon, PEK-AMS, open return. Call me asap please"
2. If I can and want to take it I call back immediately to work out the details (any choice of airline, how many items, delivered to agent or client, who does custom clearance)
3. I usually travel very light, so I have a bag packed for that purpose actually, so I just try and work out what I can do at the destination, who I could visit, and when I need to be back
4. The logistics company books the flights on my behalf, so I dont have to do that, except in a few exceptions, when it was easier to do for me (domestic China)
5. I head to the airport, meet the agent, take the items with the agent to customs (and I usually ask to see the contents) get the clearance papers and checkin
6. If its only documents, then i just take it as cabin luggage, if industrial parts/computer parts then its often checked-in.
7. I board and fly to destination, and either clear customs myself, or meet an agent at the baggage claim, who takes care of it.
8. If there is no agent, I once had to delivery it across town in Wuhan, nearly missed my outgoing flight, as I didnt want to stick around there on that occasion.
Thats a typical scenario. Now I hear some of you ask, why would a company spent all that money for a flight when there is in fact Fedex, DHL, SF Express, etc... The answer is both simple and suprising. None of these companies offer such a service, as its often highly customised. Imagine you run a fair sized production facility. While producing 20000 units of whatever a day, your controller system malfunctions, and you need a specialised chip or part that is (most often now) manufactured China, Japan, Taiwan (replace with any other country if you like). You now have the choice of waiting 3 days (more if its the start of a weekend/holiday) to have that replacement part. Thats a lot of days of lost production (and perhaps incurring penalties on top for missed deliveries). Hence a courier that costs them perhaps 2000-3000 USD in total is cheap.
Likewise, you may have a important person that needs a new passport, visa, permit, etc or a business deal which needs documents. Anything that is time sensitive, or of great value (or both). Lastly, the most important part if you looking to do this: be a reliable, fast communicator, have an unlimited passport, no travel restrictions, be reachable day and night, and perhaps most importantly, be based in a country that has little English speakers, and strict visa requirements. China is such a place, and I speak some mandarin, Russia would also be a good base, but China is unique in such, that it is also the origin of many products these days.
And, yes, I get paid, but its not much, and some pay by trip, some by days, or items. And before you ask, no - I will not give you the name of the companies, but if you looking for way to get to fly for free, its not much use, as I mentioned before, trips are irregular, and there is no choice where you go. You just choose, yes, or no!
Any more questions, I can try and answer, but I wont get into personal or company details.
All three companies I am registered with work internationally, but require me to pickup mostly from mainland China, or on occasions some other destination. Normally it goes like this:
1. I get an sms, specially when in the middle of the night for a request (Like: "Hi, you free for delivery 2mrw afternoon, PEK-AMS, open return. Call me asap please"
2. If I can and want to take it I call back immediately to work out the details (any choice of airline, how many items, delivered to agent or client, who does custom clearance)
3. I usually travel very light, so I have a bag packed for that purpose actually, so I just try and work out what I can do at the destination, who I could visit, and when I need to be back
4. The logistics company books the flights on my behalf, so I dont have to do that, except in a few exceptions, when it was easier to do for me (domestic China)
5. I head to the airport, meet the agent, take the items with the agent to customs (and I usually ask to see the contents) get the clearance papers and checkin
6. If its only documents, then i just take it as cabin luggage, if industrial parts/computer parts then its often checked-in.
7. I board and fly to destination, and either clear customs myself, or meet an agent at the baggage claim, who takes care of it.
8. If there is no agent, I once had to delivery it across town in Wuhan, nearly missed my outgoing flight, as I didnt want to stick around there on that occasion.
Thats a typical scenario. Now I hear some of you ask, why would a company spent all that money for a flight when there is in fact Fedex, DHL, SF Express, etc... The answer is both simple and suprising. None of these companies offer such a service, as its often highly customised. Imagine you run a fair sized production facility. While producing 20000 units of whatever a day, your controller system malfunctions, and you need a specialised chip or part that is (most often now) manufactured China, Japan, Taiwan (replace with any other country if you like). You now have the choice of waiting 3 days (more if its the start of a weekend/holiday) to have that replacement part. Thats a lot of days of lost production (and perhaps incurring penalties on top for missed deliveries). Hence a courier that costs them perhaps 2000-3000 USD in total is cheap.
Likewise, you may have a important person that needs a new passport, visa, permit, etc or a business deal which needs documents. Anything that is time sensitive, or of great value (or both). Lastly, the most important part if you looking to do this: be a reliable, fast communicator, have an unlimited passport, no travel restrictions, be reachable day and night, and perhaps most importantly, be based in a country that has little English speakers, and strict visa requirements. China is such a place, and I speak some mandarin, Russia would also be a good base, but China is unique in such, that it is also the origin of many products these days.
And, yes, I get paid, but its not much, and some pay by trip, some by days, or items. And before you ask, no - I will not give you the name of the companies, but if you looking for way to get to fly for free, its not much use, as I mentioned before, trips are irregular, and there is no choice where you go. You just choose, yes, or no!
Any more questions, I can try and answer, but I wont get into personal or company details.
Jul 3, 2018, 5:08 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: GIG - YYC - SVO
Programs: Lost it all and don't care
Posts: 945
Not sure why so many are saying this is no longer going on? Why would you think so? I am working as flight courier for three companies in the last 5 years. Work is irregularly, as its very much on demand - about 2-5 times a year, irregularly. So its not like a job or something. More like an opportunity to head to some destination at short (more like very short) notice, get some air miles and get paid a little for your trouble.
All three companies I am registered with work internationally, but require me to pickup mostly from mainland China, or on occasions some other destination. Normally it goes like this:
1. I get an sms, specially when in the middle of the night for a request (Like: "Hi, you free for delivery 2mrw afternoon, PEK-AMS, open return. Call me asap please"
2. If I can and want to take it I call back immediately to work out the details (any choice of airline, how many items, delivered to agent or client, who does custom clearance)
3. I usually travel very light, so I have a bag packed for that purpose actually, so I just try and work out what I can do at the destination, who I could visit, and when I need to be back
4. The logistics company books the flights on my behalf, so I dont have to do that, except in a few exceptions, when it was easier to do for me (domestic China)
5. I head to the airport, meet the agent, take the items with the agent to customs (and I usually ask to see the contents) get the clearance papers and checkin
6. If its only documents, then i just take it as cabin luggage, if industrial parts/computer parts then its often checked-in.
7. I board and fly to destination, and either clear customs myself, or meet an agent at the baggage claim, who takes care of it.
8. If there is no agent, I once had to delivery it across town in Wuhan, nearly missed my outgoing flight, as I didnt want to stick around there on that occasion.
Thats a typical scenario. Now I hear some of you ask, why would a company spent all that money for a flight when there is in fact Fedex, DHL, SF Express, etc... The answer is both simple and suprising. None of these companies offer such a service, as its often highly customised. Imagine you run a fair sized production facility. While producing 20000 units of whatever a day, your controller system malfunctions, and you need a specialised chip or part that is (most often now) manufactured China, Japan, Taiwan (replace with any other country if you like). You now have the choice of waiting 3 days (more if its the start of a weekend/holiday) to have that replacement part. Thats a lot of days of lost production (and perhaps incurring penalties on top for missed deliveries). Hence a courier that costs them perhaps 2000-3000 USD in total is cheap.
Likewise, you may have a important person that needs a new passport, visa, permit, etc or a business deal which needs documents. Anything that is time sensitive, or of great value (or both). Lastly, the most important part if you looking to do this: be a reliable, fast communicator, have an unlimited passport, no travel restrictions, be reachable day and night, and perhaps most importantly, be based in a country that has little English speakers, and strict visa requirements. China is such a place, and I speak some mandarin, Russia would also be a good base, but China is unique in such, that it is also the origin of many products these days.
And, yes, I get paid, but its not much, and some pay by trip, some by days, or items. And before you ask, no - I will not give you the name of the companies, but if you looking for way to get to fly for free, its not much use, as I mentioned before, trips are irregular, and there is no choice where you go. You just choose, yes, or no!
Any more questions, I can try and answer, but I wont get into personal or company details.
All three companies I am registered with work internationally, but require me to pickup mostly from mainland China, or on occasions some other destination. Normally it goes like this:
1. I get an sms, specially when in the middle of the night for a request (Like: "Hi, you free for delivery 2mrw afternoon, PEK-AMS, open return. Call me asap please"
2. If I can and want to take it I call back immediately to work out the details (any choice of airline, how many items, delivered to agent or client, who does custom clearance)
3. I usually travel very light, so I have a bag packed for that purpose actually, so I just try and work out what I can do at the destination, who I could visit, and when I need to be back
4. The logistics company books the flights on my behalf, so I dont have to do that, except in a few exceptions, when it was easier to do for me (domestic China)
5. I head to the airport, meet the agent, take the items with the agent to customs (and I usually ask to see the contents) get the clearance papers and checkin
6. If its only documents, then i just take it as cabin luggage, if industrial parts/computer parts then its often checked-in.
7. I board and fly to destination, and either clear customs myself, or meet an agent at the baggage claim, who takes care of it.
8. If there is no agent, I once had to delivery it across town in Wuhan, nearly missed my outgoing flight, as I didnt want to stick around there on that occasion.
Thats a typical scenario. Now I hear some of you ask, why would a company spent all that money for a flight when there is in fact Fedex, DHL, SF Express, etc... The answer is both simple and suprising. None of these companies offer such a service, as its often highly customised. Imagine you run a fair sized production facility. While producing 20000 units of whatever a day, your controller system malfunctions, and you need a specialised chip or part that is (most often now) manufactured China, Japan, Taiwan (replace with any other country if you like). You now have the choice of waiting 3 days (more if its the start of a weekend/holiday) to have that replacement part. Thats a lot of days of lost production (and perhaps incurring penalties on top for missed deliveries). Hence a courier that costs them perhaps 2000-3000 USD in total is cheap.
Likewise, you may have a important person that needs a new passport, visa, permit, etc or a business deal which needs documents. Anything that is time sensitive, or of great value (or both). Lastly, the most important part if you looking to do this: be a reliable, fast communicator, have an unlimited passport, no travel restrictions, be reachable day and night, and perhaps most importantly, be based in a country that has little English speakers, and strict visa requirements. China is such a place, and I speak some mandarin, Russia would also be a good base, but China is unique in such, that it is also the origin of many products these days.
And, yes, I get paid, but its not much, and some pay by trip, some by days, or items. And before you ask, no - I will not give you the name of the companies, but if you looking for way to get to fly for free, its not much use, as I mentioned before, trips are irregular, and there is no choice where you go. You just choose, yes, or no!
Any more questions, I can try and answer, but I wont get into personal or company details.
You travel 2-5 times a year doing this ?
Jul 3, 2018, 8:00 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
You seem to be missing the point on what timesnaps was saying. While FedEx ships multiple packages daily, you still have a deadline on how late FX/UPS/DHL can accept parcel for overnight delivery, add in a weekend/holiday situation, and you missed out on overnight delivery. I recently did this, left Sunday ORD-JFK-MXP (AA) spent Monday in MXP at the HI airport hotel after meeting the representative that needed the parcel, returned MXP-LHR-ORD (BA) on Tuesday, all for $400 pay, plus $100 perdiem. All air miles where credited to my account, and I also accumulated the IHG night as well. Luckily I have status in both programs and take advantage of that. True, it may only be a few times yearly, but still, if you are flexible, it works for you.
Jul 4, 2018, 1:06 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
I used to do this as a student job out of GVA, in 1999 or 2000. It was a small courrier company that seemed to have a regular contract with biomedical companies between GVA-BRU.
Back in the day, Swissair used to offer pretty sweet student/youth fares (like 25% off cheapest Y). So, they hired 5 students - one for each day of the week, and unfortunately as the last one hired I had the Friday evening shift - and we flew GVA-BRU on the last flight, around 8pm, back the next morning at 6am. We checked in with their agent at the airport who had the manifest, and they would usually load a couple of large duffel bags. The bags would go directly to the freight complex in BRU so I would never see it. Early morning the courrier would drop off the cargo at the hotel lobby (always the Ibis) and I would head to the airport and check the bags myself (I had some sort of manifest which I would hand at check-in and never had any issues).
As this was a regular gig and tickets were non-flex, we would be asked at the beginning of the month if we could commit to all of our shifts, and if there were any other open slots. I think we were paid like U$80 per trip, and didn't have a per diem, so the only food I ever ate was the sandwich on the flight out and the (surprisingly good) breakfast buffet at 5am! No time to go out at night either as the Ibis was too far from Brussels proper. The perk was obviously the miles: all of us were top elite at the now defunct Swissair Travel Club. I really appreciated all the miles to go backpacking, but I eventually quit as it was ruining my weekends, which of course are the most important thing in the life of a 19 year old!
Sometimes those "legendary" one-off gigs would turn up, but they would go to the longer-serving students, like the guy who was asked to hand deliver smoked salmon and beluga caviar to from Caviar House to some rich guy at a resort in the Maldives. Legend has it that despite being carefully packed in dry ice, by the time it got there, the food was spoilt!
IIRC the company was called Star Logistics, but this is from memry and almost 20 years ago (and also based in GVA). Looking at their website, it seems they still offer this, as there is a reference to a max payload of 32kg for same-day shipping within Europe. www.starlogistique.ch
Back in the day, Swissair used to offer pretty sweet student/youth fares (like 25% off cheapest Y). So, they hired 5 students - one for each day of the week, and unfortunately as the last one hired I had the Friday evening shift - and we flew GVA-BRU on the last flight, around 8pm, back the next morning at 6am. We checked in with their agent at the airport who had the manifest, and they would usually load a couple of large duffel bags. The bags would go directly to the freight complex in BRU so I would never see it. Early morning the courrier would drop off the cargo at the hotel lobby (always the Ibis) and I would head to the airport and check the bags myself (I had some sort of manifest which I would hand at check-in and never had any issues).
As this was a regular gig and tickets were non-flex, we would be asked at the beginning of the month if we could commit to all of our shifts, and if there were any other open slots. I think we were paid like U$80 per trip, and didn't have a per diem, so the only food I ever ate was the sandwich on the flight out and the (surprisingly good) breakfast buffet at 5am! No time to go out at night either as the Ibis was too far from Brussels proper. The perk was obviously the miles: all of us were top elite at the now defunct Swissair Travel Club. I really appreciated all the miles to go backpacking, but I eventually quit as it was ruining my weekends, which of course are the most important thing in the life of a 19 year old!
Sometimes those "legendary" one-off gigs would turn up, but they would go to the longer-serving students, like the guy who was asked to hand deliver smoked salmon and beluga caviar to from Caviar House to some rich guy at a resort in the Maldives. Legend has it that despite being carefully packed in dry ice, by the time it got there, the food was spoilt!
IIRC the company was called Star Logistics, but this is from memry and almost 20 years ago (and also based in GVA). Looking at their website, it seems they still offer this, as there is a reference to a max payload of 32kg for same-day shipping within Europe. www.starlogistique.ch
Last edited by RafKa; Jul 4, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Jul 4, 2018, 2:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Platinum
Posts: 2,375
Until a few years ago, BA had a courier office of their own organising couriers. I can’t find the phone no in my contacts list to find out if it still exists.
I believe I called it about 4 years ago and discovered the only route that they still used couriers for, was to Tokyo. The cost, as they charged you, was actually only just a bit less than the cost of a regular ticket to Tokyo, circa £400 something...
I believe I called it about 4 years ago and discovered the only route that they still used couriers for, was to Tokyo. The cost, as they charged you, was actually only just a bit less than the cost of a regular ticket to Tokyo, circa £400 something...