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

You really should call ahead.

Most airlines have a little cubby hole device at their checkin desks that you can put your carry on into. If it fits and meets the weight limitations, you're good to go. But if it doesn't fit, you're out of luck. They're usually not willing to budge in cases when your bag is too large vertically, but quite small horizontally, at least in my experience.

All airlines are different though, and sometimes it even depends on how crowded the flight is. I've been on crowded flights where passengers with large carry ons are forced to check them.

What about looking into the cases where the doll is in a more seated position and not laying down? Those are taller, not not as long as a standard case.

 

I have two carry cases, one soft SoulDoll bag and one hard AngelRegion case. Both work very well when we travel. Also, for when you are just walking around, I have an assortment of those "designer" dog caddies. They are sturdy, stylish, and safe. There is always a little clip in them to attach to the doll, and many of them are actually closed with mesh "windows". My boys are safe but in full view of their many admirers. ^_^ Doll carriers make life much easier.

Kit

 

Pet carriers are a great idea! Many already pass airport size regulations, too.

 

We were in Texas in August for the ball jointed doll convention, no problems traveling with dolls, but we did get some funny looks from the security x-raying our bags. Seems they had it explained to them earlier in the day - they seem to know we were DOLL people!!! (there were many body-less dolls traveling that day - many questions asked)

Mary-Lee

 

my tiny has been on several planes rides. my msd has been on a couple with the wee one. sd hasn't made it yet but he will. no hassles just some wierd looks.

 

Good things to know this thread. Lots of useful information especially than sitting position for a SD.

 

I will add my two cents!! If you cant take your dollys on the plane with you and you are too scared to put them in the internal luggage! (I know I wont! Those people can be crazy thieves!) You can always mail it. I know it cost money and it is a hassle, but it is one of the safest ways! If you are going to a hotel you can mail it to the hotel, if you are with a relative you can mail it there. There is also insurance in the event it is damages or lost, Airplane insurance is iffy!

That is what I would do. People used to mail stuff to the hotel I worked at all the time!

 

Okay... Just got back from a set of cross-country flights from Seattle, WA to Pensacola, FL and back... and (at least on Delta and Northwest, flying through Pensacola, SeaTac, Memphis and Atlanta-) I had absolutely no problem at all carrying Harumatsu (Shiwoo) in-hand and Issun (Banji) in my carry-on bag.

None of the security people considered them dangerous materials. None of the flight crews made me stash Harumatsu under the seat for take-offs or landings... I held him the whole time, with absolutely no problems. I did get asked what his name was a few times, and the first TSA agent at SeaTac joked about him not having ID.

 

I don't think the staff manning the x-ray machine even batted an eyelid when my dolls went through the machine on my last flight a couple of days ago (Melbourne to Singapore). I had a SD, MSD and 2 tinies in my carry on bag (admittedly, not much space for much else!), and no one stopped to ask me about my bag contents at all.

 

I carried Amel (tanning El) with me as a personal item on two flights over the summer (SXF to Indianapolis and back again a month later) and didn't really run into trouble...the only tough spot was digging him out of my carry-on bag when the flight attendant said my gigantic duffel was a 'safety hazard' and needed to be stowed in the overhead compartment.

Travelling on flights with dolls is actually really overhyped - from what I've seen, there are very few negative experiences. I usually tell the X-ray scanning people that my doll is my 'comfort object' (not far from the truth) and they usually leave it at that and hand me back my bag.

 

I went from Manchester to London, London to Singapore and then Singapore to Adelaide little over 5 months ago. I had Reis in her carrying bag, and there were no problems at all with security or anything :]
I was a bit scared that there would be problems with s-hooks coming up on the scanner and stuff like that, but security didn't seem to care xD

 

Thanks for the great info guys!!! I'm headed to Ottawa after Christmas... and I couldn't imagine leaving my boy at home... my mother was giving me a hassle saying that they would take him apart and stuff... but I trust what you guys are saying more then her crazy thoughts :P

Thanks again~

 

I usually keep mine in a backpack, but protected so that he won't get scratched up but won't get stares if I bring the backpack in somewhere (I don't usually care, but sometimes I just don't feel like talking about him and if people are interested they'll ask ALOT of questions). I never, ever leave him in the car though!

 

It's fine ^^ I don't think they'll even bother stopping you.. well, maybe to put your doll through that belt still.

 

I also had a question.. how would the flight personel react if you had a doll on your lap the entire flight? (im flying from the netherlands to philly and I dont want him stuffed in a bag for 8 hours poor guy @__@ )

 

i carried a bermann and a unoa from turkey to usa on my lap (not at the same time) and i got the same reaction both times: people think you are weirdXD plus your legs sweat under the box haha
but i possibly couldn't do without my dolls here in us:3 so i had no other choice.

 

I've carried dolls in-hand on cross-country flights two years in a row now, and none of the flight crews have ever given me trouble about it. 'Like I said in my post a few spots above your own, they didn't even make me put them under the seat for take-offs or landings.

 

I've flown a few times back and forth betw. Portland and California
(PDX to LAX) with 2 doll bags no problem (containing Bermann and SDs).
The longer bag I put up above in the overhead and it fits great, the other bag I
tuck under the seat ahead of me.

As far as going through the x-ray, it's the LAX employees that always crack me up
when they see the xray of the bags. PDX people don't seem to care one way or the
other. This last flight home from the LA Dolpa, there were about 5-6 people hovering
over that xray screen pointing, smiling and tilting their heads looking at the dolls.
One of them asked me if it was ok that I open the bag so he could actually see
the doll cos he was curious.

 

Mods, feel free to move this if its inappropriately placed. I can't find the "Everything Else" section.

I'll be travelling out of the county on the 19th by aeroplane and I'd like to know if anyone ever brought their dolls aboard a plane. What I'm most afraid of is the customs take my boy away (I had a nightmare about this where I practically screamed "You're gonna have to kill me first!!!" *shudder*).

I'd especially want to know from people who used Australia airlines. They're so strict.. not that its a bad thing but when it comes to my baby.. I'm over-protective *shakes fist*

Edit: Thanks for moving :. Edit the question - How's Australia's airport security with dolls?

 

i was travelling from malaysia to korea in and out , was no problem, no funny look .

but when i arrive to malaysia , those officer asked me what doll is it , ans i just say its a plastic doll and i walk off.