Nintendude
Well-Known Member
This was copied from my other group website the Superhero Costuming Forum credit goes to Gwarpigdave from that website for the tips.
Why ship your costumes to a con?
I first heard of the idea from a television host that said there are two types of checked luggage… Lost and Stolen.. More and more people are electing to ship their clothes and etc. to their destinations than ever. Many TSA and airport baggage handlers are professional thieves. Everyone knows of someone they’ve stolen from. They have access to inside of every piece of luggage that comes their way. Locked or not. Is Fed-Ex safer? Yes. You can lock your Fed-Ex package with a lock that TSA doesn’t have a master for. You can insure your Fed-Ex package and if a Fed-Ex driver loses too many packages he loses a nice paying job. TSA are federal employees and baggage handlers are union. They don’t get fired and there is no record of baggage they’ve opened.
You’ll need to purchase a nice container to ship in. I’ve used several types over the years. Always choose one you can put small, effective locks on. Keep your keys in two separate locations. I keep one around my neck and another in my carry-on bag. Write “Property Of:” and your home address on the container itself so that there is no doubt where this package belongs if lost. I have four stainless steel tags screwed into the side of my shipping container with nuts on the back side so they can’t be removed. Include your cell phone number on the tags in case it’s lost while you’re away from home. I also put two full size sheets of paper in the package with my “Property Of” information. One easily seen if opened and another hidden in case I have to prove I’m who I say I am. (Yes. I’m paranoid and overly cautious.)
What kind of container? I’ve found my current one the best for the job. It’s a Pelican PE1620FB 1620 Case with Foam (Black). I purchased it online from B & H Photo Video. Price has gone up to about $250, but a delivery driver told me these cases are the best for what I’m doing. The Model 1620 is the largest I could find that is still under the maximum H x W x D measurements for checking luggage with Continental Airlines. It’s a couple of inches under their max in case I decide to check it instead of shipping. This model comes full of tear out foam squares. Handles, wheels, two lock points. (Added by Nintendude): I usually use a 55 gallon tote to pack all my stuff in and it fits all the armor and stuff to pack a Master Chief suit into.
When packing your container I recommend taking pictures of items contained within in the unlikely case you have to prove the value of the contents. I lay a few things in, take a pic, add a few more, another pic…. Keep these on your cell phone and another copy as backup. Do the same when packing for return trip. I also take pics of the hotel room and it’s condition at checkout. My paranoia once again.
If you’re using duct tape to help seal your container, buy another cheap roll to throw in for the taping of the return trip. Also, if you’re like me and putting this on your Fed Ex account, put the return shipping label inside before sealing. Keep a copy of your shipping info either on your laptop or in your carry on so you’ll have it at your destination. I keep a copy of all pertinent travel info on a thumb drive and keep it with me in case there is a problem with hotel, airline, Fed-Ex, etc. People at home or work also have this info as a last resort.
Call the hotel and ask them the address they’d like to receive your container at. Put “Guest: Gwarpig Dave” followed by the hotel’s address. The hotel might charge a handling fee. (Bellhop will have his hand out too, so slap him some skin and say “have a groovy day, my brotha!”) I ship Fed Ex Second Day so I can control when it arrives. I ship regular Fed-Ex back because it’s cheaper. Make sure you insure!!! You worked hard for your stuff so get compensated if lost. Airlines don’t care and you’re screwed. Less so with Fed-Ex. Your pics of the contents will be very helpful if you have to prove value. Make it a reasonable amount though because they will be paying what they think the value is. (yes that sucks, but its very rare.) The hotel doesn’t want to hold your package for very long. They’re like wives, they lose interest in your package quickly so come quick. Have it arrive the day you do or maybe a day before.
Why ship your costumes to a con?
I first heard of the idea from a television host that said there are two types of checked luggage… Lost and Stolen.. More and more people are electing to ship their clothes and etc. to their destinations than ever. Many TSA and airport baggage handlers are professional thieves. Everyone knows of someone they’ve stolen from. They have access to inside of every piece of luggage that comes their way. Locked or not. Is Fed-Ex safer? Yes. You can lock your Fed-Ex package with a lock that TSA doesn’t have a master for. You can insure your Fed-Ex package and if a Fed-Ex driver loses too many packages he loses a nice paying job. TSA are federal employees and baggage handlers are union. They don’t get fired and there is no record of baggage they’ve opened.
You’ll need to purchase a nice container to ship in. I’ve used several types over the years. Always choose one you can put small, effective locks on. Keep your keys in two separate locations. I keep one around my neck and another in my carry-on bag. Write “Property Of:” and your home address on the container itself so that there is no doubt where this package belongs if lost. I have four stainless steel tags screwed into the side of my shipping container with nuts on the back side so they can’t be removed. Include your cell phone number on the tags in case it’s lost while you’re away from home. I also put two full size sheets of paper in the package with my “Property Of” information. One easily seen if opened and another hidden in case I have to prove I’m who I say I am. (Yes. I’m paranoid and overly cautious.)
What kind of container? I’ve found my current one the best for the job. It’s a Pelican PE1620FB 1620 Case with Foam (Black). I purchased it online from B & H Photo Video. Price has gone up to about $250, but a delivery driver told me these cases are the best for what I’m doing. The Model 1620 is the largest I could find that is still under the maximum H x W x D measurements for checking luggage with Continental Airlines. It’s a couple of inches under their max in case I decide to check it instead of shipping. This model comes full of tear out foam squares. Handles, wheels, two lock points. (Added by Nintendude): I usually use a 55 gallon tote to pack all my stuff in and it fits all the armor and stuff to pack a Master Chief suit into.
When packing your container I recommend taking pictures of items contained within in the unlikely case you have to prove the value of the contents. I lay a few things in, take a pic, add a few more, another pic…. Keep these on your cell phone and another copy as backup. Do the same when packing for return trip. I also take pics of the hotel room and it’s condition at checkout. My paranoia once again.
If you’re using duct tape to help seal your container, buy another cheap roll to throw in for the taping of the return trip. Also, if you’re like me and putting this on your Fed Ex account, put the return shipping label inside before sealing. Keep a copy of your shipping info either on your laptop or in your carry on so you’ll have it at your destination. I keep a copy of all pertinent travel info on a thumb drive and keep it with me in case there is a problem with hotel, airline, Fed-Ex, etc. People at home or work also have this info as a last resort.
Call the hotel and ask them the address they’d like to receive your container at. Put “Guest: Gwarpig Dave” followed by the hotel’s address. The hotel might charge a handling fee. (Bellhop will have his hand out too, so slap him some skin and say “have a groovy day, my brotha!”) I ship Fed Ex Second Day so I can control when it arrives. I ship regular Fed-Ex back because it’s cheaper. Make sure you insure!!! You worked hard for your stuff so get compensated if lost. Airlines don’t care and you’re screwed. Less so with Fed-Ex. Your pics of the contents will be very helpful if you have to prove value. Make it a reasonable amount though because they will be paying what they think the value is. (yes that sucks, but its very rare.) The hotel doesn’t want to hold your package for very long. They’re like wives, they lose interest in your package quickly so come quick. Have it arrive the day you do or maybe a day before.
