Hello,
I have a friend interested in courier flights. I searched for prior threads and they are all several years old. Does anyone have current info about doing courier flights?

Thanks!

koje

wrong forum

courier not happening much anymore unfortunately..

Its difficult to answer the question "did anyone give you anything to take in your luggage" or whatever the exact language that is asked when one checks in with the ticket agent...

One likely reason for the decline

I heard that it's because customs clearance is faster now. 20 years ago, cargo used to sit for a day or two or more. Passenger luggage, even oversized, cleared customs in a hour or less.

Checks (cheques) also used to be sent by courier for the same reason. I presume that there's more electronic transactions now.

That isn't really how it goes. I read a story once about the courier walking up to the ticket agent at exactly 60 minutes before flight time and just saying
(as instructed) "jupiter" without providing any additional information at that point. While this isn't a "what did you carry" thing, my point is that airlines are/were very familiar with courier services... and there are a lot of misconceptions to the public about it.
The article also went on to describe the process--and that is that checkin is simple---the Jupiter air people deal with most of it for you--and you are handed a ticket and small package (think binder/large envelope) with the paperwork that you take with your luggage (carry on only).
Upon arrival, you don't clear customs, but instead go to a specific counter or wait for uniformed personnel who take the information from you. Thus, you never actually handle the freight in any way other than through the paperwork. When you physically clear customs, you only have your own bags, and I think you clear as someone on business and that you are a courier. If I recall, that is all that is needed, according to the story.

Since this was originally posted in MR forum, I'll just toss in that as I understand it, courier flights generally don't earn miles. Some flights and companies may allow it, but the rule of thumb is that they don't (and are notated in your reservation and on your ticket).

As mentioned above the courier thing isn't what it used to be in the old days. I looked into it a while back and even paid to join a site...it was a waste.

Same goes for Air-Hitch and AirTech..the 'standby' or 'hitchhiking sites"..they just are not worth the hassle and you really don't save anything most times regardless of what they say...I have tried.

I agree that the courier service is not what it used to be as most airlines have stopped it. I couried for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic a few years back.
It was very simple and relatively cheap. I was told that I wouldn't receive any miles but I did.

I did courier once with Jupiter to London, and you sign a contract that specifies you won't get miles, and my boarding passes said "no miles" on them. I only did it once due to a combination of no frequent flyer miles, and terrible flight time (like 7am home from London). There wasn't enough savings for me to give up my double miles and convenient flight times to try it again.