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

2 hours. ^__^ My dad used to work there

 

I'm unsure rather to bring my girl with me or not, I'll be flying out in July to a family Get-together.
However, there are a few concerns:

1. HEAT~! It's very hot in the summer there, and there is no place that is cool enough (I think it can get to +25 C in the camper) Even in the shade, would she still be fine? Or will the heat damage the Resin?

2. Airport. I think i'll bring her in a purse (as a carry on) Think this will pose any problems?

Thanks

 

I've taken my girl (DoT Shall) on lots of plane rides with me, and never had a problem. I always take her shoes off (hey, I gotta do it, she does too!), sit her in one of the bins, and then politely inform the security personell that she has metal hooks in her head, hands, and feet.

Usually, the security people get a kick out of her, but sometimes they're totally blasé about it.

 

Love the taking her shoes off! I'll have to do that!

 

I am so excited to see this post. I have been thinking about this a lot.

I am joining the Peace Corps and will be teaching English as a second language....most likely in Eastern Europe or Asia and while I will not be leaving for several months I already kinda know I am going to want to take my boy with me and have been trying to figure out if I should....

My main reason for taking him is....its a 27 month commitment so it isn't a trip so much as moving to another country for a few years

But I might be living with a host family the WHOLE TIME but will definitely be with a family for the first few months...

My biggest concern aside from him getting hurt on the trip or stolen while I am on location (not by my host family but the PC warns that volunteers can be victims of theft because we are different from everyone else in the community) is that it will ruin my credibility in some way if I show up 28 years old with a doll to a country where most likely no one is going to understand. Also if anyone does know what he is they will realize that he was not cheap and that could hurt me in the village and make me look wealthy when I will be there living at the same level as the general population and could also make it harder for me to connect with the community

But I also think or hope that maybe he could help me connect as a way to bridge the gap through play...but that is probably just the naive side of me...

What do you guys think? Should I start devising a plan to take him? Or instead should I start getting used to the idea that I am going to have to leave him home and try to find a good baby sitter?

 

That's a fascinating question. Is there any way you can find out how the culture you'll be part of views dolls? There are some cultures that view dolls as magical. I had a fascinating conversation with an Indonesian woman while I was shopping with Tamsen. She was perfectly comfortable with the idea I had the doll with me, just wanted to know if I had heard her talk yet! She was dead serious, and warned me that dolls can turn nasty if they aren't treated properly.

 

Right now (I won't know for sure until my official invitation) I have been told I might be going to Armenia I don't know what their thoughts on dolls are but I could try to investigate thats a good idea.
That is really interesting though about the Indonesian woman, it is true different cultures could view dolls differently, I will look into it.
I was hoping to go to East Asia and might still end up there, and in that case I would still investigate it but I would assume that they would have had more exposure to dolls.

 

How odd, I've never thought of that. I've flown with my two girls three times now, and at least one of them was in the fetal position each time and I haven't experienced any trouble. It's usually my latidoll Cara that is in the fetal position, with my peakswoods Yulli either in the same position or sitting in the bin, exposed.
The only interesting remarks I've gotten were security guards asking if my Yulli has her own plane ticket, how did she enjoy her trip, or their reaction before I tell them she's an artist's doll. They usually assume I use her for posing, since I usually pack my sketchbook right next to her as somewhat of a shield, depending on which bag I use.

The last time I took my yulli on vacation was to Disney World. I had more trouble bringing back the two 2ft-long lollipop sticks I'd bought there than I did getting Etain through security.
The only thing I was ever worried about was rollercoasters. I'd put her in my bag, zip it shut, and then stick my leg through the strap a firmly plant my feet to brace the bag. A bit of overkill, it turned out. The pull of the rollercoaster would've kept the bag in just fine, but I was super paranoid about it.

 

So, Thursday I'm flying to Seattle and I want to know if I will be able to take him through airport security because the back of his head is magnetic, I'm thinking it will be okay, but I don't feel safe putting him in my suitcase, it could get lost or something of the sort. I'm just scared that they won't let me take him just cause his head is magnetic...which would be stupid but still, better safe than sorry, and I don't want to have to walk back to the truck and keep him there because then there is the possibility of missing our flight.

 

I take dolls through the airport all the time. Just leave him in your carry on bag and put him through the conveyor as usual. They may give you a funny look, but the magnets won't be a problem.

 

I believe you should find your answers in airport and other travel and security in general. I wouldn't bring an armload, but there shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

Thanks so much

 

As long as you dont tell them you have a real little person in your suitcase.

 

I agree with all of the above.
I don't fly though.

I go on ROADTRIPZ.

 

I would only feel comfortable taking my doll as carry on, never in checked luggage. If you can get or make a carrying case, and it wont exceed the amount of carrion bags you can have, I would recommend that. Otherwise, in my arms is the safest place I could imagine for her, and it probably wont count towards the number of bags.

 

I would imagine that it would count as a personal item, so you might have to put your purse (save for IDs) or the like away in your carry-on bag. Most airlines allow one carry-on and one "personal item". I almost never check luggage (only if I'm traveling for 2+ weeks) , so stuff goes in a small duffel.

 

So on the 27th (to the 30th) I will be leaving to NY from FL. I am affraid to take them though; but I dont feel safe leaving them at home after my recent house break in. I have a carrier that someone made for me, or a messager like bag that I could use, would that be ok? I will have 2-3 dolls depending if my new one makes it in time or not.

I can only take my 'personal' bag and a carry on, I am not allowed to check anything due to it being expensive XD Would the guards be ok with them? o.o

 

My department has no jursdiction over that, although I don't see why anyone would have a problem with the dolls (but if anyone does give you grief, call for a supervisor). It's up to the airlines in the end. I see passengers ignore the "one carry-on and one personal item" rule all the time coming through the checkpoint. The airline agents at the boarding area are supposed to make the determination over that particular rule.

It's a little arcane and obscure, but that's the way it generally works.

 

Ha! Almost makes me wish I was going out through Dulles.

Basically, I'm an idiot and forgot about this thread - I'm going to Peru for a week. Starting today. From Washington National via JFK, and I'm coming back into the country through JFK as well. Has anyone had any problems with any of these airports, especially with Pukis?