Travelling with your dolls: issues/ideas/etc. Part I

I've done both - and had much more peace of mind with Aedon as my carry-on than when he was in my checked luggage. n.n;; He survived fine checked, but his box did get a bit dented up and he'd apparently been inspected by customs, so all future trips my kids are going the carry-on route.

 

I had to transport all 4 of my dolls from Ohio to California when I was heading home from school. ^_^; Needless to say, it was a pain, but for my peace of mind I managed to get them all into my carry-ons. It was worth it -- but if you carry on, put your doll(s) in your bag and send it through the security check point that way. I had to slide one of my boys through on his own once, and one of the TSA employees actually grabbed him by ONLY the head and picked him up. Needless to say, she had to listen to me tell her how it's absolutely not okay to grab people's belongings -- among other things. >_<;

 

I've learned, never check anything you don't want to loose. My brother-in-law works at the airport here and is one of the people that loads the planes with checked luggage. I've heard far to many horror stories. I would never check a doll.

 

I just came home from Vancouver and I packed 2 dolls in a carry on and stuffed one in my purse. On the way home, I put two dolls in the carry on and stuffed THAT in my larger luggage and checked that in. We're all home safe and sound and... yeah, thought I'd share

 

Thanks so much, everyone. I'm definitely going to carry him on with me, I was leaning towards it anyway, I was just worried about causing a stir in security. But it'll be worth it if it keeps him safe.

I'm limited to one carry-on bag because of the pooch in his carrier, so it'll be tight, but I think it'll be worth it.

OT, hyschara, yes, my pup is coming on the plane with me. He's a teeny tiny boy so they allow him in the cabin, and I'd never ever stick an animal in an airplane hold if I could prevent it.

 

i will put the doll in the doll carrier and as hand carry items to go on the planes.

 

Not sure if this is the right thread to put this, but is MSC okay to check in as luggage on flights?

 

I also wanted to ask, do you guys find it nessesary to buy a doll carrier? They seem a bit expensive. x___x

 

I was able to carry my MSD boy on a plane just fine by putting him in a little tote bag. So, no, a carrier isn't absolutely necessary.

 

Also, some carriers are too big for a carry on, though I've seen people throw in LARGE duffle bags into the overhead compartment. I'd personally prefer a carrier. I'm not sure about MSC in checked in baggage, maybe put it in a plastic ziploc bag in case it explodes?

 

stupid double post~!

 

Rats! I checked one of the airline websites, and the carrier I bought will be too long for carryon. It's one of the gothy coffin bags from Dollmore, and it would've been so cool for Japan next year. Although...it does have backpack straps...wonder if I could convince the airline it's a rucksack? No one would ever believe it's a briefcase. Ah, well, it'll still be useful at home, and when we drive/entrain to conventions.

 

According to TSA regulations, I'd say no. The only aerosols allowed are personal-care and toiletry items (stuff like travel cans of hairspray and the like), so that'd rule out MSC. Gotta ship it. =/

I packed one doll out and two dolls home for Otakon. On the way in Ilari was bundled up and in a rolling carryon; on the way back I had both babies in my DoC travel bag and used that as my 'purse' even though it was substantially bigger. Next trip I'll have my Shiwoo with me, and he'll get bundled in the carryon while the other two boys ride in their carrier again. It was really simple and hassle-free, the airlines didn't even say a thing.

 

I have a Dollmore bag, the gothic one where they sit up. So it can go under the seat...otherwise just use a totebag or a backpack with cushions.

 

I'm reviving this thread because me and few of my friends are planning on one week road trip on train (Amtrak) during christmas-new years vacation. The thing is, none of them are doll person, and I'm not really sure if it is advisable thing to take any of my boys with me. But I'd love to take travel pictures with at least one of my kids (probably Miya), and spend new years with him. We plan on spending new years on train. It'll be very memorable.

The route is NYC-> DC-> Savannah Ga. -> Orlando Fl.
It's my first time taking train trip, and I'd like to hear your experiences if you have done this before. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

I have travelled with a Blythe doll in the past - I usually just stuff her in my carry on bag and wrap her in a t-shirt. I would not do the same with either of my Pipos dolls, though. I wouldn't recommend packing anything fragile in your checked luggage! Airlines a re notoriously rough on luggage, plus if the plane ride is rough due to turbulance, your doll might break! I guess I will have to go invest in a doll carrier for future trips!

 

In my strategy, when I brought Mini-Me Lady Saiyan on board the plane when I went to Anime Oasis in Boise this year, no one said anything. But then again, transporting Mini-Me is easy because she's an MSD. I have a little tote bag that I carry her around in, which I place inside the backpack, and under the seat in front of me.

Now, in the case of coming back home, sometimes I buy tons of items either from shops or the dealer's room at the convention. I usually put those items in check in luggage, but I will never put Mini-Me in it. No, she's always going to be carry-on. To answer your question as to what to do, should you ever have to bring so many things home and not have enough room in your luggage, there's always FedEx. I usually purchase the overnight shipping and receive the items within either in the morning or the afternoon. Even though I check "afternoon", sometimes they'll deliver it in the morning. *shrugs*

But you know, in terms of carry on luggage, it usually depends on the airline, or sometimes it depends on the airport you're flying out of. SFO doesn't really stick to the 2 carry-on items per person. But DIA (DEN) is strict about that. I know, because I've flown out of that airport so many times.

 

this thread helped a lot for me! now I feel a lot better about taking matt with me to the USA for Christmas. I'd probably have seperation anxiety if I left him at home for two weeks D':

 

Oh man, eleniel, you and I are in the same boat. LOL!
I'm having to leave one of my guys behind (maybe both T_T), and my bass as well... I'd love to take it, but I can't. Ugh. Maybe you can get one of those suitcase combos that strap the carryon onto the handle that pops up?? I have one of those, horribly useful... Kiril (CP El) can fit in my carryon along with an outfit and some other supplies (vaccuum sealed for space conservation ) But I'm still not so sure, myself X_X

Are you with an exchange program??