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

Honestly, I'd get a carry-on suitcase, and mod it to accommodate dolls. This is what I'm planning on doing once my collection upgrades to MSDs and larger (only have a puki and 2 teenie gems at the moment, so they go in my purse).

Modify the bag so that there are multiple strong strings and velcro straps to hold each of your dolls in place (neck, torso, legs and each arm), as well as lots of padding under the thin layer of fabric that surrounds the inside of the suitcase, then some cotton batting (the type that looks like a sheet) that will go on top of the dolls as well. Also, modify the bag to have 'storage compartments' to hold doll clothes, extra parts or floating heads.

 

Are you traveling internationally or within your own country?

If international, it is certainly possible, especially if you have only one other object, like a laptop, that you want to bring with you in the cabin, to get all of the dolls you currently have in a carry-on bag. Check with your airline as to the size; every airline is different. You will probably have to unstring them to get them in. The same is true if you are traveling domestically but typically an international flight is a little more generous with baggage allowance and carry on.

Do you know what your address will be when you arrive at the new destination? In that case, I would go to an international shipping company like Federal Express or UPS the day before I am to leave with all of the dolls packed securely and double boxed. I say double boxed because that is extra protection. Make sure you insure them for the full replacement amount and --this is IMPORTANT--file documentation AT THE TIME YOU SHIP of what the replacement amount is.

If you do not know what your new address will be, there is another option. Check with your airline about SHIPPING packages on the same flight that you will be on. You will have to go to a separate counter from the baggage claim area in order to get them, but they will arrive with you. Again, double box, insure, and file documentation WITH the packages.

 

Thank you, Tallenvyaere and Victoria Victrix, I'll take note of everything you wrote. My planned move is from England to USA. No details yet since I first have to graduate hopefully this year. These info are a big help to anyone planning a big move.

 

Thanks, Tallenvyaere and Victoria Victrix, I'll take note of everything you wrote. The move is from England to USA. No clear details yet since I have to graduate first hopefully this year. I hope these info will also help other people who're planning to make a big move.

 

If you're going to ship them via courier service do keep in mind that the height in which packages are dropped by UPS and Fed Ex's standards are up to 6 feet. I've had a good number of things shipped through them and more often than not I've had computer parts come in Dead on Arrival. You should take extreme caution in packaging your dolls. I would recommending in bubble wrapping your dolls and then lining the box with tons of bubble wrap and putting in styrofoam peanuts to prevent your dolls from moving in the box for extra precaution. Always double box and line the second box with bubble wrap as well. Also you should add shipping insurance on it if you're extra paranoid so that you get a refund for any damage that your dolls may take on the trip. Good luck to your move.

 

You could probably get away with putting them all in with the rest of the stuff packed. Unstring them all. Wrap everything with paper towels (no designs or anything on them) and then a protective layer of bubble wrap. Then put each doll into their own boxes (Small ones to keep them from rattling around) then put the smaller boxes all into one bigger box. Make sure it's a snug (not jammed in of course) fit and they should be safe. Put them in your carry on if you're that concerned about it *shrug*

 

I've never moved with my dolls, but I do fly a lot and you're better off mailing your dolls with insurance than you are packing anything in a checked bag. The airline is only responsible for a tiny dollar amount (usually less than $300) if your luggage is lost or stolen. Check the airline you're planning to fly with for their specific liability on lost or stolen luggage. I wouldn't be afraid to mail them. Unless you've bought all of your dolls in person, they've survived the mail once already and should be able to do it again if you package them back up in a similar way.

 

Well I just moved to Hawaii and back (2500 miles, I was there for 9 months).. But I probably can't have much an opinion as I only had one ;P On my way there, I carried my doll the whole time. Then I sold his body before I came back, since I intended to buy a new one anyway. But I agree with the people who say to take them in your carry on. If you unstring them and put them into small boxes, you can even use clothes for padding so the extra space isn't wasted. On domestic flights, you can have one carry on suitcase, and one "personal item" which in my case, was a filled-to-capacity school backpack. As long as it fits under the seat in front of you, the airline will not care about the size of your personal item.

If there is any body you were thinking of replacing, now is a good time, and to wait to buy a new one after you move.

 

I was rereading the Interesting/Funny Conversations with Friends and Family thread not too long ago, and I started thinking about the amusing encounters I've had with the TSA at various airports.

I travel a lot with my family and on my own, and I also go to school in Hawaii while my home is in California--and I always bring a doll along on my trips. ^^b I'm actually currently at the airport right now, which spawned this thread: I was going through security and my carry-on is filled with five SDs and a mini (yay for dollie Tetris~ XD). It was hilarious watching the bag go through X-rays; the agents had to have moved the bag in and out of the X-ray part at least six times with the most boggled expressions on their faces. And it was a good thing that I was early because I swear that all of the agents then descended upon me to ask questions and see my boys. XDXD

So what are your stories, the ones that you look back on and can't help but chuckle as you remember them?

 

Haha, I'd be afraid to take a flight with dolls because airports are so chaotic and I'd be worried about losing their shoes or something...

 

Now I have to take a trip to see what will happen when I bring my doll!

 

The most amusing time I had in the airport was when I had my SoulDoll Paris in a modded violin case carrier.

I put him through the Xray machine, and the security agents did the same thing with my boy as they did with yours - scanned it 5 or 6 times with the most odd expression on their faces. Finally, one of them exclaimed "Hey! That's not a violin!" and requested to see my boy in person ^^

 

I had all of my dolls with me at the time as carry-ons in two separate bags, and had to go through that "random luggage check", the TSA people were so entranced with checking the dolls over, they never even got to my other luggage.

 

LOL

As for me, I haven't gone to the airport with my BJD yet. But I'm going to California in August, so she's gonna be coming with me~ ^o^

 

I'm glad that those who have traveled with their dolls on airplanes have had just as entertaining experiences as I've had. XD! Anyone else have funny or interesting stories to tell?

 

I've taken Lirael (Fairyland LittleFee Ante Elf) along with me to Minnesota, then to Michigan on a little trip.

It was wicked funny to see the faces on the x-ray person's face when the bag with her in it went through. I just prefaced it before she went through that she's got metal in her head and arms and legs, and I would be glad to take her apart for them. She mostly got wierd looks and I did have to take her faceplate off at one point to show them that she had nothing in her head.

I'm tempted to take Jay Say (Soom Beryl) on a plane, just to see people's faces as she goes through the machine. Small child? Too skinny... XD

 

Ha, when I was going on vacation last year, the screener at DCA said that my dolls looked like aliens...didn't need me to take them out, though. Oddly enough, nobody said anything about them in Peru!

 

I took Asher (Soom Spinel) to the Spiel in Essen a couple of years ago. Had no problem at the UK end, but coming back home the Security woman at Dusseldorf made me open the dollcarrier then had a good hard poke at his faceup. She even took the face protector off first.
Thankfully no harm was done, but it's made me a bit more reluctant to fly with any of my kids.

 

I've travelled alot with my dolls. And sometimes the dolls go right through the machines with only a raised eyebrow. Other times... well recently my trip to Korea...they scanned the bag 4 times, then had me take everything out so they could check it over, and ran JUST the doll through twice (in it's travel pillow). They also wiped it down, and tested it for bomb residue. I was also asked on the way back if I had any food/meat in my bag, nope just the doll. Seems that the dolls scan at the same thickness as meat. But I do love looking at the x-ray to see the curled up little body of my doll in a bag.

 

Bumping up to hopefully get more entertaining stories!