Author Topic: Fursuit transportation  (Read 5402 times)

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Offline Feros Darkshade

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Fursuit transportation
« on: May 10, 2007, 07:53:27 am »
I've noticed that several suiters attend conventions all across the country. How then, is the best way to transport your delicate suit to the event, without it getting damaged?

In particular, I am talking about flying. '<img'>
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Offline Kobuk

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« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2007, 12:22:03 pm »
I'll try to help you as best I can, but I have to say that I've never flown with my suit on a plane before. I guess I don't trust baggage handlers.  ':p'  Also, the info. I present here is only a guess. So if anybody has more specifics, please add them in. '<img'>

The first thing you'll want to check/read is all restrictions/regulations about what you can and can't carry on the plane and how to pack such items. Because of 9/11, security at airports is getting more and more stringent.

Transportation Security Administration website:
http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm

You will probably also need to call or check with the individual airline carrier you are flying with to see if they have any further baggage restrictions which might not be covered by TSA.
As far as packing a suit for transport, there are many numerous ways to do this. For now, I'll just mention one way and let others describe any others they've used.

1. You'll want to select a container that meets with airline sizing restrictions and is also tough and sturdy to handle abuse. What I've found and used is the Rubbermaid Actionpacker 24 gal. tote.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00101.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00100.jpg
2. Next thing to do before you pack your suit is prepare the container for lableing. You'll want to include addy lables and other info. on the inside and outside of the container in case the container gets lost or something else happens to it. Write down on a sheet of paper the "SHIP FROM" addy and the "SHIP TO" addy (Including phone numbers is optional.), then insert that into a sheet protector. Tape it to the bottom of the inside of the container. Do the same thing with another sheet and tape it to the underside of the container lid. Next, take another sheet and "securly" fasten that to the top of the lid. Putting all this info. on may be overkill, but if something happens to your suit, you'll want your information in as many places as can be found so that someone can contact you and get your suit back to you. You'll also want to prepare a sheet with a list of contents that are inside the container. Put this sheet in the container also. In case your container is searched by airport people for whatever reason, this lets them know what is inside the container and will also let you double check everything in the container against your list after you get to the con. Another sheet to write would be a polite note to ask that your container be secured and the contents re-packed accordingly in case the container is opened and checked by airline staff.
My container with sheet on bottom of inside:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00220.jpg
Contents sheet:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00227-1.jpg
Addy lables on underside of lid (Small white lables)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00223.jpg
Polite note to airline staff:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00226.jpg

3. When it comes time to pack your suit, there are many ways to do this. The fursuit head will be the most fragile that you'll want to pack delicately. Be sure to pack all your fursuit parts in large clear bags. This is for two reasons: a) So airline security and other staff can see what the contents are, and  b) If you had any liquids in your container or if some type of liquid leaked into your container somehow, then your fursuit is protected by being in those bags and won't get damaged.
4. Most airlines will not allow you to lock your container before you go through security or even after you've been through security. Best thing to do in this case is check the TSA website and individual carrier websites for more info. about locking your container. When I went to FC this year, I shipped my suit via FedEx to Far Raptor. When I shipped it, I "locked" the lid down with cable ties. This made it easy for FedEx to cut the ties in case they had to inspect the container for any reason. But I also included inside the container an extra bag of ties and a note telling FedEx to lock the container again if they ever needed to open it. I also included a roll of clear carton sealing tape too to fasten the lid down if they needed to use that to.

5. Do not use the following rubber containers!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/icyhusky/DSC00094.jpg
I was planning on using this type before going to FC, but I heard a lot of horror stories about how these types of containers do not handle abuse that well and can also crack.
6. If you are shipping a suit via FedEx, UPS, US Postal Service, other package carrier, or via airline, then GET IT INSURED!

That's all the info. I'll write for now. I'll let others with more experience and info. continue onward. If you want more info./links, here's some that might help also:
http://community.livejournal.com/fursuit/478824.html
http://community.livejournal.com/fursuit/770045.html
http://community.livejournal.com/fursuit/795026.html
http://community.livejournal.com/fursuit/1021443.html

Info./links for mailing/shipping a suit to a destination:
http://www.livejournal.com/tools....ter=all

Offline Niiku

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« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2007, 12:33:26 pm »
Kobuk, you always have such helpful information! And you always think to post it before most people think to ask! '<img'>
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Offline Kobuk

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« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2007, 12:42:46 pm »
Hehe. I do my best. '<img'>

Offline Feros Darkshade

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« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2007, 12:56:24 pm »
Awesome information there, Kobuk. Thanks!

Anyone else feel free to thrown in their personal experiences/opinions/whatever. '<img'>
-Feros

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Offline Kobuk

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« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2007, 02:25:07 pm »
And more advice....... '<img'>

I sincerely hope that nobody here gets into the situation I was in this year after I came back home from FC. In short, FedEx lost my fursuit for nearly a month before I finally got it back. Going to FC and shipping my suit to Far Raptor went ok. But after the con, that's when things went downhill.  ':p'  I did everything right according to all my above advice, but when my container got to Chicago, that's when FedEx said they lost track of it and couldn't find it anymore. Good thing FedEx has a Lost & Found center in Utah though. What happened was that the addy lable I put on the outside of the lid container came off probably during some cold weather when the container got to Chicago. The adhesive qualities of the tape that was used to affix the addy to the lid didn't work too well in cold weather and the lable came off. '<img'>
If anyone here ships a suit via airline or other package carrier, please make sure you keep copies of all reciepts, invoices, tracking numbers, email correspondence, etc. if you lose your suit for any reason. If you are given a tracking number to check on the status of when your suit is due to be delivered, then use it and check the status every day. If your suit gets lost, contact the airline/package carrier ASAP and give them all available info. about your container and the contents immediately so they can find it and get it back to you as soon as possible. Airlines will almost always have Lost Baggage Claim forms for you to fill out.
When contacting airlines/package carriers, BE PERSISTANT, but also BE POLITE! Contact them at least every other day. Don't argue or get angry with the people on the other end of the phone either. Argueing about why you haven't gotten your suit back yet won't solve the situation or help get it back to you any faster. It will take a bit of time to find your container.

So in a nutshell, here's what "saved my bacon" so to speak when I lost my suit:
1. BE PERSISTANT when tracking your suit and contacting the carrier.
2. Give them as much info. as possible describing the container and the contents, tracking number, destination, etc.
3. Keep records of all correspondence such as emails, invoices, and any other paperwork.
4. Put addy lables on/in your container in 3-4 different places.
5. RESEARCH! When shipping your suit via package carrier or taking it on a plane, DO YOUR RESEARCH about how to travel with it, the regulations, what to do if it gets lost, etc., etc., etc.  Ignorance is no excuse! Always remember to ask lots of questions so that you get the answers you need.
6. When shipping your suit via package carrier, it might be best to stay away from using boxes. Here's why: If you use a box and your suit gets lost and then goes to a Lost & Found center, then how is the warehouse staff going to locate your box from all the hundreds or thousands of other boxes in that warehouse? If you say "Well, it's in a big brown box about so many inches by so many inches.......", that won't help the warehouse people find your suit. They'll probably say "We've got thousands of boxes sitting here. Can you describe it any more?". They're not going to have a lot of time to sort through box after box after box after box, etc.  ':p'  When you ship a suit via carrier or fly with it on an airline, try to pick a container that would be easily recognizable that you might want to personalise it with some markings, colors, stickers, etc. so that when you describe the container to someone, then they'll know what to look for.

EDIT: If a person's fursuit does become lost, but then is found and shipped back to you, then please check it for any damages. If there are any, then you'll want to report those as well immediately for insurance purposes/damage claims. If on the other paw your suit is shipped sucessfully to your destination, but was damaged, you'll want to do the same thing also and report those damages.





Offline Party Pony

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« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2007, 03:14:43 pm »
I usually recommend photo equipment shipping cases.  Movie studios need to ship delicate cameras, lighting and other such elements all over the world.  The cases are usually a sturdy black material with plenty of covering outside and (often) foam on the inside.  Airlines are fairly familiar with them since they are pretty common with movie/tv shoots and such.

Due to the lack of cameras these days (film that is) most camera shops don't carry them anymore.  But check online and you'll find several companies that offer them.  And they come in just about every size you can imagine - 10x10x10, 12x12x12, 24x10x48, 48x48x48 and so on and so on.  Some firms actually build costume boxes.

These were the boxes that Disneyland used back when I was there (1970s & 80s) and costumes were being shipped to events.  They are the same boxes that a lot of the suits I wear on gigs today come in.  This includes Astroboy, Tony the Tiger, Care Bears, etc.  Only time I found a suit that did not was Boog the bear from OPEN SEASON.  It was an enormous bell shaped body (perhaps 8 feet tall) that was shipped in a padded bag that my wife's car could have fit in!  Sadly, each time we worked with the suit, we had to touch up the nose and other facial features due to scuffing and chipping during shipping.

Anyway, if I can locate the companies that sell the black camera cases, I'll put a link here.  A buddy of mine bought one a year ago from a link I gave him and he says it is the best purchase he ever made for the suit.
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Offline Kobuk

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« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2007, 04:27:27 pm »
A sampling of fursuit packing cases from Facemakers Incorporated. A bit pricey though.  ':p'
http://www.facemakersincorporated.com/cases.html

Offline Feros Darkshade

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« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2007, 04:29:29 pm »
*looks at facemakers site*

Maybe I should just see if my former band director will let me borrow one of the old bass drum cases. <.<

-Edit-
On second thought, it looks like the actionpacker that Kobuk uses is a great size for airline travel, and has received some pretty good reviews. I'll have to check one out for myself. '<img'>




-Feros

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Offline Epsy

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« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2007, 08:15:37 pm »
All that information would make a good sticky Kobuk!  '<img'>
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Offline Kobuk

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« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2007, 08:27:27 pm »
Rather than make a sticky, I just added the thread link to the "Links to fursuit sites and other info." thread in the Important Topics section. That will work just fine. '<img'>

Offline Far_Raptor

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« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2007, 09:45:03 pm »
I've used both hard and soft bags for transporting my suit.  Generally, I just use a soft bag with some kind of frame made of PVC pipes on the inside to protect the head from getting squashed.  

I'd agree that hard cases are the best choice for optimal protection.  Whatever you decide to go with, though, make sure you get something that is lightwieght and easy to manage.  Otherwise, you'll be paying a lot of extra money to get the thing on the plane (about $100 for heavywieght baggage).

I took my suit to FWA in a 1650 Pelican Case--which one of the brands Party was talking about.  It was a superbly strong case...you could literally kick it out the back of an airplane and have it survive a landing in water.  

Unfortunately, the case was very heavy.  Even though I had lots of space, I could only put my suit in it.  If I added any other wieght, I'd incur an extra $100 fee for heavy baggage.  Also, the size of the case forced them to put it on a larger plane that arrived a while after I got to Atlanta.  Consequently, I had to show up, wait at baggage claim (believing my luggage lost) only to find that my bags weren't arriving until later that night.  Kind of a pain in the tail.

There are much lighter plastic cases you can get, specifically  Hardigg Cases, which--while not as durable or cheap--are just as spacious and strong.

I think I'm eventually going to go with a rolling Hardigg Case.  While they do cost a few hundred dollars, they'll protect your stuff wonderfully.  Also, you can get them in any number of nifty colors; it would be extremely difficult for the airlines to loose those.

Happy traveling!

~FaR~

P.S.  As Kobuk mentioned: always put labels on the outside AND inside of your suitcase


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Offline Party Pony

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« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2007, 01:43:11 am »
Here are some other links...

http://www.portercase.com/stowaway_20-20.htm

http://www.luggagearcade.com/acatalo....nk.html

http://www.irvs.com/image.php/itemno/5230-21

http://www.sportchalet.com/product....=family

And if you really plan to spend a lot of time flying around with your suit, you want to be sure you get something durable.  I know many a fur who bought "inexpensive" rubbermaid type stuff and had to replace it every few trips.  One builder friend suddenly realized he had spent more on "cheap" cases in two years than if he'd bought a sturdy traveling case.  He bought one and has been using the same one (for different suits) for over four years.

And when thinking about price, I always remember what a coach said when asked about motorcycle helmets.  A student asked why he should be an expensive helmet.  The coach replied, "well, I guess it depends on how much you think your head is worth.  Some of my students could easily get by with a $10 helmet... but I would recommend something better for most drivers."
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Offline Kobuk

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« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2007, 02:22:02 am »
Adding a note to what Far said: When you select a case to transport your suit in, pay attention to how heavy it is, the dimensions of the case, and what you pack in it. Airlines and/or package carriers will charge you additional costs if you go over a certain weight or size limit. When going to FC with my container, UPS had quoted me a price of $60-80 to ship it out to Far. I went to FedEx instead and they charged me about $35 to ship it Ground Service which only took 4-5 days. I went with the cheaper option. '<img'>

Offline Feros Darkshade

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« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2007, 10:18:18 am »
In the future, I definitely plan on purchasing a more sturdy, durable case.

Right now though, I don't plan on traveling a lot with suit...mainly because I can't. ':p'

I'm still attending college now, and thankfully, because I have my schooling 100% paid for through scholarships, I can afford to treat myself to a con that is cross country every now and then. That is, however, not a common thing for me by any stretch of the imagination.

I can definitely see the value of those cases for furs that travel a lot, though. Hopefully I WILL be one of those furs one day.
-Feros

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