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

1. Do you travel with your dolls? yes indeed

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling? none so far, things have been smooth and normal

3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls? well...I take mine all over the place so um, anywhere?

4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?yes, be careful of security. When I travel I disassemble my dolls, and pack as much as possible in my carryon luggage.
I do not travel in America with dolls in checked luggage, there is simply not enough security, internationally is actually safer.
DO NOT check your dolls in luggage if they are a. irreplaceable (limiteds, one off, discontinued) b. uninsured.
If you are putting dolls in checked luggage make sure it is a hard luggage case, securely lined in foam, not a soft suitcase. If you put them in a box instead of a suitcase make sure it is distinct.
Make sure any checked luggage, but particularly that with dolls in it, is labeled with your name, address, and a contact phone number, very clearly, preferably on a tag that cannot easily be removed. That is important not just for if it gets lost, but for if someone tries to take it you then have recourse to argue the point and be backed up by airport security.
IF SOMEONE TRIES TO TAKE IT make a LOT of fuss! scream, shout, basically annoy security till they come over, that way you have backup to get your babies back! It may be embarrassing but loosing your dolls would be worse.
Remember some countries are strict about things like drugs etc, so be prepared to have to disassemble dolls on the spot if you are checked, so you can prove they are not part of a smuggling op.
IF you are carrying a doll in hand you will be a security check target, allow yourself extra time. Also remember it makes you a kiddie target, be ready to defend yourself from kids and their parents, who will be worse when traveling than at any other normal encounter. (worst one I heard is a case where a flight attendant believed the little girl who screamed that the mean lady had her dolly, said owner had to get out her camera and show photos proving ownership to get the doll back after the flight attendant took it off her and handed it over to the little brat)


Sorry if I sound like a pessamist folks, but an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

I have also recently moved internationally, I only brought two dolls on the plane with me, the rest I had sent via EMS, I felt that was more secure than shipping them with me as extra luggage, or sending them as unattended luggage. That is something that is expensive, but may well be worth thinking about.

 

Um... I don't actually think that's a very good idea. I definitely agree with the strategy "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," but some of the flight attendants are just trying to do their job, and screaming and making a fuss is just going to worsen things and stress people out, not give you grounds for getting your dolls back.

 

Hehe yeah.. I agree. Now if someone stole my doll and ran off with it.... that's a different story XD

 

Having been subjected to that sort of behavior on a daily basis for several years, I can safely say that if you push, expect to be pushed back harder. A bit of politeness and requesting a private screening and/or a supervisor can prevent a whole lot of grief on both sides.

Because, really, you don't want to be the source of a security breach. I've seen this happen several times where a passenger becomes very hostile, unruly and is screaming, and a breach is declared. A breach involves locking down an entire terminal. No passengers boarding or deplaning, any planes leaving pulling up to the gate must stop, planes in the process of landing must take a holding pattern until the breach is resolved. I have seen where a passenger is fined $10,000 per minute the breach goes on. This is not something you want to bring down on yourself, honestly, when it could be easily avoided.

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls? On planes? Only once.. of course I've only been on a plane once since I got any dolls XD
2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling? I was at the airport and Mitsu (my first bebe) was in her box, getting ready to go back to America. A few people from Norway walked over and asked, "What's in the box? A dead body?" They didn't say it meanly or as a joke, they were serious, haha. So it actually made me laugh when I looked at them with a smile and said "Yep", causing them to gasp. (I had to explain and bring her out to prove she wasn't a real dead body ;>> ). After all was explained, they all wanted one~ Yay for making more broke fans of BJD (^^)v
3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls? -
4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.? Make sure to keep a good hold on them if they're in your lap, if they're in their box, make sure they're very padded in there since they'll get slid around a lot and probably pounded on slightly.

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls? On planes? I do! I love having a doll with me Been on two trips with one each time, and Imight take two with me on a planned trip this january and spring.
2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling? I had to run across Denver to make a connection and didn't have time to put My sd back in her bag. Poor Michelle's hair was everywhere XD. I think I need to stop going through detroit though, I only ever seem to run through it.
3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls? -
4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.? Padding helps, and secure packing! A doll carrier would probably help a great deal as well. If you only do carryon and have a doll with, packing them with padding and your clothes around them helps a bunch!

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
Yup! All the time! I bring them on planes with me quite frequently.
2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
Once I had a security guard nearly wet himself laughing when my doll went through the x-ray machine. I saw the x-ray, he really looked like a little person. We had a good laugh! ^_^

On a more serious note, I did have a pretty bad experience at an airport with one of my dolls. I refuse to put them in my bag because I have to put that in the overhead locker, and I'm terrified of my dolls getting knocked about and broken, so I normally carry them onto the plane in my arms. Usually most people just give me funny looks and get on with their business, but unfortunately I did attract the attention of a few drunken idiots. They shouldn't even have been allowed on the plane, they'd obviously been drinking all day. They were adults too, in their fifties, not some rowdy teenagers! Anyway they spotted Tyler in my arms as I was standing in the queue to get on the plane, and the next thing I hear is .."is that a bloody monkey she's carrying??" followed by loud abnoxious laughter. A second later one of them is over trying to grab my doll out of my arms to get a closer look at him. Of course I freaked out and told them not to touch him, but they were drunk and I got some abuse from them, nothing too bad but annoying none the less. They continued shouting about the doll even when we were in the plane in the air! My poor little boy, he was so traumatised, lol. It won't stop me from bringing my dolls on planes with me though

4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?
Stay away from drunken idiots!!! Also, those giants handbags are great for carrying SD's in

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?

Yes.The longest journey I made with my doll is 20 hours by plane. I used to take my dolls with me from city to city by plane or train.



2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?

Well when it was in the last year of my university education, I had my parents came to see me. Then they were kind enough to help me to carry all my dolls back to hometown by train. I had Yukinojo, Reisner, Lune and EL with me on the train for 13 hours, and my parents!
Since I just had one carring bag to put Yukinojo inside, each of us held one doll in the arm when we got on the train......
And the reason why only put Yukinojo inside the bag is that he is too handsome for a young lady to carry in the arm:P


4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?

I've travelled by planes, trains and boats with dolls. Planes are the worst for large dolls because they are very strict will the luggage size. So one need to make sure the large doll can sit inside a carry-on size suitcase, and no normal long doll carrying bags are allowed.

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
The first time i did travel with them was this summer when we went to New Orleans and Destin FL, but we travel in an RV so it's quite an easy thing... there's just a limited amount of space >_< As for planes, trains, etc.. i've never been on a plane... it's been years since i've been on a train.. so that's a no. I've wanted to take them out on our boat but i thought twice about that one.
2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
It's the only experience really, it was our first night of the trip and we were in Kingsport, Tennesse at the KOA and my cousin's cousin saw Sethotep sitting by the window in the RV and was like O_o?
3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls?
Well... i plan on taking them with me everytime i go on vacation, we're going to the Metallica concert on the 17th in the RV and then in November we're goin' to Harper's Ferry, WV (And we may be going cross country next summer).
4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?
Not really :/

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
I took Lan&Lian to visit my family in MA the past summer.

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
When I was waiting my mom to pick me up, I took them out of the carrier and sat them next to me. A security guy walked pass and suddenly took a step back and asked friendly,"oh, are they your little friends?"

On both ways of my trip, my doll carrier went through the x-ray and got pulled aside for security checking. Of course they couldn't find anything but two dolls sitting quietly. They didn't look surprise though.

3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls?

4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?
tip for traveling on planes:
If you buy the economic ticket, then line up as soon as you can so then you could get on the plane earlier (at least faster than the people sit next to you) and snap a spot to put your doll carrier.

 

IM SICK OF ALL THESE MOTHA ****IN DOLLS ON THIS MOTHA ****IN PLANE!!
(Did I already post here? I hope not. If I did, maybe a kindly mod will delete one of the posts??)
All overdone jokes aside- I would probably take Cloe with me on big trips. We rarely fly because all of our family lives within one or two states, so it's mostly car trips for us , I think traveling is fun to do with dolls~

 

My family lives about an hour and a half from where I live, so I go see them most weekends. I always bring my dolls, usually packed up (carefully!) in a suitcase.

Though once in a while, I put them in the car, seat-belted in of course (its a law, see). Other drivers give me looks >_>

 

A quick question for you seasoned travellers~

I'm heading to Japan this summer and it will be my first time with dolls on a plane. It seems like most people pack them in carry-on for under the seat. This is the safest way then? Also, do they allow you to carry a doll loose in your arms (one doll in bag, other in your arms)? They all have to go under the seat for take-off though, don't they? I don't really fly much and airports tend to freak me out, but I really want to take my dolls with me. Any help is much appreciated!

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
Yes I've traveled with my doll a few times

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
I put Delilah in my nephew's booster seat and my dad called me weird.

3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls?
I would like to go to Japan for a while.

4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?
Not really...just don't lose them.

 

I'm not sure where you're traveling from, but from where I am, Japan is a 13+ hour plane ride. I'd recommend putting your doll in the overhead compartment - usually on international flights the overhead is really roomy! Just make sure that your doll is in front/ not squished by other people's luggage. Holding them/leaving them in the seat while you stretch/go to the bathroom might not be a good idea, as you may want to sleep or do something else later.

But it's a general rule of thumb that you should have things stowed away for take off and landing. I've never carried my dolls on my lap before on a plane - I'm not sure what might happen. Depends on the flight attendant, I suppose.

 

Awesome. Thanks~ I'm in Arizona and, while I love holding my dolls, 13 hours does seem a little daunting x.x I'll work on finding a nice hard sided case and soft blankets^^

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
yeppers! my darlings have been to japan a few times and california a bunch they've also been to themeparks like disneyland and puroland ^^ they've rided on planes, trains, cars, and boats~!

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
on the plane home from my last japan trip i decided to carry on one of my girls my SD13 Nono (the other i packed in my suitcase) and the lady i was sitting beside saw her peeking to of my purse XD she was all facinated and made me take her out of my purse so she could take pictures with her and play with her ^^ it was kinda odd but i love shareing my hobby with those that are interested 3
another time i was riding the train home and i had just come from hello kitty's puroland (where i had bought a charmmy kitty kigurumi 3) i was wearing my kigurumi and my Nono was in her cute lolita Chi outfit so i let her have a seat beside me on the train XD we definately stood out but it was good times!

3. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?
on a plane just pack your dolls in their boxs with lots of clothes and padding if you put them in your check in luggage and just hold them if your gonna carry them on XD
on trains, boats, cars, etc i just hold my dolls or put them in my purse ^^

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
I once brought my boy on the plane to Las Vegas

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
While I was there, I carried him around a lot. But his wig kept falling off. People kept coming up to me calling out "hey...you dropped...something."
Also, when I put him through the x-ray in customs, the people had to check my bag. The people opened my bag and pop, he was right there staring up at us. Got some stares ^^.

3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls?
I would love to take him to any place that is green. I live in the desert, so I don't have a lot of green backdrops

4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes
Make sure they are well protected! I had a nice padded bag, but some of his faceup came off T_T
Stupid me and not putting some protection.

 

1. Do you travel with your doll(s)?
Of course! Chen-wi is my boy, so where I go, he goes. (Much to the dipleasure of my parents XD )

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had traveling?
I've only ever been on one to California to visit my dad. The security guys at Dothan airport had great expressions. It was a halarious situation.

4. Do youe have any tips for traveling on planes?
Never put them under the plane or in overheads. Keep them in your site at all times and never let anyone hold them unless you know the person. And lots of padding!

 

1. Do you travel with your dolls?
Yep! I've brought one with me on a flight to Virginia, and moved from the west coast to the east coast via car with two. And I'm known to bring my tiny to various locations, too.

2. If so, what was the funniest/weirdest experience you've had with them traveling?
Erm, nothing really. I put her through the Xray but nobody said anything. I also had her in my lap after takeoff. As I always press my face to the window and therefor have window seats, nobody could really see her and ask all kinds of weird questions. Or look at me strange.

3. If not, where would you like to travel with your dolls?
Hmm. Dunno. I like flying with them because as I get nervous with takeoff, it gives me something to fiddle with. I can mess with my dolls and take my mind off of possible planedeath.

4. Do you have any tips for traveling on planes/trains/boats/etc.?
PADDING. As said many times before, I'm sure. Also, don't act suspicious. People will most definitely think something is weird if you're acting like it. xD Also, try to keep them with you. Baggage Claim is scary, and there's too many chances to lose someone.