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

At LAX, no one said anything when I was carrying a yo-sd sized doll for my friend. However when my friend's carry on bag with sd sized went through the scanning, the woman asked whether we had a statue inside...

 

I have some trouble traveling with dolls. They fight over who is going to sit up front with me.

 

My carryon always includes my computer in its rolling case and a large bag in which I put everything else. Tamsen is perfectly happy perching in the bag. Once we get on the plane, she sits with me. I was on one flight that wasn't full, and I seatbelted Tamsen into the seat next to me. The stewardess played along and we all had a good time.

 

So I'm going to Japan over the summer to study abroad. I'll most likely be taking my two MSD-sized girls with me on the plane. They are not going through baggage claim. No. Not ever. Though my original plan was to be able to carry everything I'm taking with me on to the plane...I somehow doubt I'll be able to take all the things I'd need for a month on with me. Hopefully, the seat next to me will be empty, so I can sit them in there, but if not... I'm going to figure out some sort of doll carrier that would let me fit two dolls safely into it...maybe three by then, who knows. Then I'll put egg crate foam in between them and silk cushions (from their original shipping) in there. Hard sides (made with foam board) and viola! a *hopefully* safe mechanism to get my girls across the world. Then I'll have a backpack with everything else I'll need during the flight. I'll probably also have a purse that just goes into my pack for easy access to the necessities. I'll be arriving a few hours ahead of time so that if there are any problems with security, they can be resolved and I'll still be okay on time to get to the gate.
*still nervous though*

 

there're some special bags that let your doll sit up straight but i can't remember where i've seen it...sorry...

 

i'm going to be taking a short flight to Edmonton in a month, and I just plan to carry Naomi (DOC) with me. don't wanna put her into my checked luggage or the carry-on bag cause it's going to have enough stuff in it to begin with. i'm just going to carry her.

 

When I take them on a plain I put them in a doll carrier as one of my carry-on bags. I'd never have them stowed, I've seen the people who handle the luggage that goes below the plane and they aren't very gentle. As for carrying them any way else, if I have more than one they are put into various carriers but one by itself is just carried in my arms.

 

Dollmore?

http://www.dollmore.net/shop/step1.php?number=1941

 

I'm bringing my girl to New York in two months and I have no idea how to bring her, I can't afford a carry case for her...any suggestions? Shes 60 cm and I know I'm not putting her under the plane even if you paid me to XD I just need to know how to take her on as a carry on with my laptop...any suggestions? And does anyone have issues with airport security and their dolls?

 

I'll soon be flying to another state for vacation and want to take my 2 boys Sai (70cm) and SooMin (45cm) with me ... which would be the best way to carry both without risking them under the plane as normal luggage? ... I don't have a carrier bag but improvised one with a sax's case ...

 

I've taken Tamsen (also 60cm) on planes several times. I take my laptop and a very large generic bag, into which I stuff my purse, reading matter, any spare carryons, and Tamsen, who perches with her head out so she can see what's going on. I've never had any trouble with security. Once I get on the plane, I take her out and hold her on my lap. If there's an empty seat next to me, I put her in it and fasten her seatbelt! Most stewardesses love it !

It does depend on how fragile the doll is (Tamsen's pretty sturdy!) and whether she's a play-with doll or a look-at doll. I'm not sure I'd travel with a look-at doll, unless she was part of the purpose of my trip.

 

Tamsen: Thanks for the advice, Mei is more of a play thing, not really look at XD I was thinking of doing exactly what you said, I was just worried about getting through security.

 

don't know how to delete ...

 

don't know how to delete ...

 

I don't know what they could get excited about. All the x-ray will show is the metal inside the doll, and I really don't think that looks threatening! Hope you and Mei have a great time in the Big Apple!

BTW -- how do you delete a thread??? This is my third try!!

 

So.

I'm moving to Florida from Massachusetts in about a month, and I have two SDs that I want to bring with me.


So what I want to know is--

How do you travel with your dolls? Suitcase? Carrier? Or did you just have them shipped to wherever you went?

Pictures welcome!

 

Firstly, welcome to Florida! What part are you coming to?

Also, When I went to Japan I carried mine on the plane in a doll bag and kept him under the seat in front of me. Doll carriers are specifically made to keep your doll safe while traveling. Or I've seen several people use well padded suitcases as well. ^__^

 

There are doll cases that are designed for 2 SDs, that can take on the plane with you, and it would be considered like a purse/laptop bag type of thing. You could probably also bring another carry on with you that has clothes and whatever you might need, and shove your actual purse on there if you use one. ^___^;

If you bring them on the plane with you just keep them at arms reach at all times. -nod-

 

I've noticed traveling that dolls in fetal position tend to get you pulled out of the security line. Should seem obvious, but didn't occur to me.

 

Aeryn- I'll be living in St. Augustine, Dunno how close/far that is from you.

Forfax- Oh jeez. That never would have even occurred to me, thank you!