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

Hello,
I have come here to ask if any of you have experience travelling with a BJD by plane.
How do things work?
Are they even allowed on planes?
Is it best to have a specific transport bag, or is it safer to carry them wrapped up in the arms?
Thing is, I regularly go to Spain (I'm in France, so the plane ride is aprox 1h30 long) to visit my parents.
My mother has only seen my doll through Skype and she told me she would love to see her, she seems pretty fond of my girl.
Plus, I know a few good places where I'm going to take stunning pictures.
My doll is an MSD, how hard would it be to take her on the plane?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

shouldn't really be a problem, if you hold her, just expect them to x-ray her.....
Now i get to take ALL my dolls over a few states.. holding them in a Uhaul.... with a 9 month old baby.. THAT"S going to be scary >.<

 

I put them in a hand carry bag. the people checking the bag were amused.

 

I wrapped my dolls up in towels and folded them gently into my carry on (a backpack). Had no issues. As long as they fit into whatever your air carrier allows for carry on, then you're fine. I just wouldn't risk putting a doll into checked baggage. There's a huge risk of breakage, or loss.

 

Thank you, it'd reassuring to know it's been done before.
I'll probably wrap her up in bubble paper and towels and keep her with me.

 

I did this! The reaction from the woman x-raying the bags was quite hilarious. My doll even showed up through the thick cushions I'd padded the bag with. However I don't know the effects of x-ray radiation on resin (it seemed not to make any difference to my doll). But if you are going to take a doll by plane be aware that they x-ray your suitcase as well.

 

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...nny-Encounters-with-TSA&highlight=travel+doll

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...dolls-issues-ideas-etc.&highlight=travel+doll

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...ng-Distances-With-Dolls&highlight=travel+doll

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...on-Vacation-Good-or-Bad&highlight=travel+doll

These threads should help give you ideas of how to pack them and what to expect!

 

The Search button is your friend.

It's easy. I've flown cross-country -- that's cross-USA, and it entails at least five hours in the air total and one layover -- with my dolls more times than I can count. An MSD is cake to get onto a plane; when I've flown with mine I've put a face protector on him, bundled him up in his 'sleeping bag' (that a friend made for me; handy little bugger), and just stuffed him in the rolling case that carries my computer. No problems whatsoever. I HIGHLY recommend face protectors.

But really, check out the above linked threads. You'll find everything you ever wanted or needed to know about traveling with your doll(s).

 

Thank you all for the replies and the helpful links, I've checked them out!
(I admit, I forgot to search before posting, oops).
It's reassuring to know things go well usually.
I was afraid the resin would creep out the staff at the airport or that the S hooks would make the machine beep... I think I'll take her in my trusty messenger bag that I always carry around, curled up in a few pillows.
She has a face protector which came in the box when I got her, so that's a plus.
Any positions I should avoid to put her in that would make breaking easier? I was think a fetal position but with the arms tucked in like a vampire would be the safest (if that makes any sense).

 

I once took a doll in her original doll box as carry-on on a plane. When they x-rayed the box, the woman who was watching the monitor winced horribly -- it looked like I had a tiny, tiny corpse in there. But everything went fine and she was unharmed.

 

When I brought Kisho-Ryuu (Volks SD13 Link) to Japan, he was scanned - and hand-checked - going and coming. The MSD and Yos who came back with me from Tenshi-no-Sato had no issues at all. In between came some memories and photos of Kisho in his homeland which will forever be a great treasure! Kisho rode in my carry-on, in a seated position with his hands in his lap. He was surrounded by clothing - softest stuff next to the resin, coarser items such as suit coats and pants toward the outside of the case.

I suggest you bring her.

~Bruce

 

I went hong kong with keigo, my sd17 boy in his carrier. It was a 3.5 hr ride. All went well. He was x-rated as normal. The custom staff was amused. They requested I opened the carrier. I did and they just smiled.

 

I've taken my dolls to DragonCon in a DZ carrying bag, used it as a carry-on, no problems at all. Though the TSA agents did make some funny faces when they saw on the x-ray what was in the bag, lol.

 

I have brought my 45cm boy from Japan to North Carolina and back again through multiple layover flights and he was unharmed. I just had an open type bag that I lined with cushions since I haven't purchased a carrier for him yet, and then I put his face protector on and put a blanket over him. I am planning on buying him a carrier though because on one of the bigger flights I had a scary moment.

I somehow ended up on the emergency isle seat when they were shuffling my seat that did not have a seat in front of me so there was nowhere to stow my bag during takeoff. They told me to stow him correctly - I assume in the super full overhead compartment. I just kind of held him on my lap and they let it slide -possibly since I seemed upset (I also sat next to a creepy guy). I had a moment where I thought they were going to take him away from me and stick it in the staff storage area during takeoff and landing like they for did some of the people sitting on the same row as me. I think if he were in a proper storage bag and not something he could fall out of I wouldn't have been as concerned about it. Just something to think about if you want to hold her close to you during the flight itself. If you can pick a seat make sure it's one behind someone else so you have the option.

The scanning part was no problem although I did get some interesting glances.

 

I've brought three SD's simultaneously on a plane before. I wouldn't recommend it if you need luggage room for.. y'know, your own luggage. Ultimately two of them were wrapped and packed between the clothes of my carry-on, and one was in my really big purse. Aside from a funny look from the lady watching the xray, it was no problem.

 

Kairi came with me to the beach. No problems. Except I found out if the fire alarm went off I would grab her and run.

 

Have anyone try passing Singapore custom?? Do they allow the doll to be carry in n out? I will be visiting Taiwan thinking of bring my boi along.

 

If I were going to be gone for a long time, two months or more, then I might want to take my favorite (Ash) with me. But I'd definitely want to buy a case for him first. They're just awfully expensive and shipping for a case from Asia would be pricey, too. I really want to get him the guitar-shaped case from Dollmore. It would be like $200 though by itself, with shipping calculated into the total.

 

I think it is a fabulous idea and an incredible opportunity to grab some unforgettable photos. I would highly recommend carefully packing your doll in a specific wrap to avoid burying in your sock pile and arousing custom's suspicions! Otherwise, in your arms would work just as well! I should scan this thread for any funny stories relating to metal detectors and dolls..