Chip Ghigma: a freshman in business, walks to the post office to have his luggage shipped. Luggage shipping is the traveler’s alternative to having luggage checked at an airport. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Shipping luggage to ensure that it isn’t lost by airlines is a new trend in traveling.
Travelers having their luggage shipped to their destination could be the answer to the inconvenience of getting their luggage lost.
“I have had my luggage lost before,” said Hadley Hayes, a senior in political science. “It would be a good service if it were guaranteed to get there and that my luggage would be taken care of.”
Luggage Forward, the largest of these shipping companies, seems to be efficient in shipping people’s luggage.
The company’s Web site says it will ship anything, from surf boards to baby carriages.
Accommodations have even been made for the last-minute traveler. Four days notice is needed to ensure your luggage can be taken care of.
“It would depend on how efficient the service was,” Hayes said. “It would have to be insured that my luggage would get there on time.”
All bags are guaranteed to arrive safely and on time by Luggage Forward. Making plans to have your luggage picked up earlier is recommended during winter months, as snow conditions may make getting luggage to its destination harder.
“I wouldn’t want to have to make any special trips,” Hayes said. “If I had to travel to get my luggage once I got to my destination, then I wouldn’t do it.”
Travelers can have their luggage picked up from their house, shipped and waiting for them at their hotel, according to Luggage Forward’s Web site.
“Once I have a good job and start making money then I might use the service,” said Abby Wright, a senior in health administration. “Right now I probably wouldn’t use it.”
Cost has a lot to do with the use of a luggage service. A 40-pound piece of luggage traveling from New York to Los Angeles will cost about $260, according to msnbc.com.
Different services charge different rates, and how fast travelers want their luggage delivered also affects the price.
“If it were something really important, I would use it,” said Beth Harben, a graduate student in consumer affairs. “If it was an interview, and I needed my luggage to get there, then yes.”
Wright said students may not get as stressed out as adults do about their luggage. There may be no real need for students to use something like this if it’s so expensive and not necessary.
“This could be a good service,” Hayes said. “If it came with insurance or some sort of refund if your luggage didn’t get there on time, then people would probably use it.”
