International Traveler or Biggest Fool?
Who in their right mind would get on a plane to a country abroad coordinated by someone you don't know and will not meet; go to an airport looking for someone who will give you a package to deliver in country of arrival and do the same thing on the way back? Only a fool, right?
I recently took an air courier flight from New York's JFK to the new Bangkok airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (pronounced Su-wan-na-poom). This was my first courier run from New York whereas before I always flew out of San Francisco or Los Angeles. The destinations are usually Singapore via a stopover in Tokyo to confirm a package drop.
This run marked my tenth year of traveling by air courier. In 1997, I did my first run from Tokyo, Japan to Hong Kong. It was exciting. I felt like I had become part of a unique group of agents of international intrigue. Friends began to wonder with concern if I had gotten involved in the drug trade and I didn't help matters by being evasive in my answers. It was fun! Dealing with people on the phone and never seeing them but having some kind of blind trust only to meet their representative at an appointed time and location at the airport. It was sorta James Bondish, including the beautiful woman.
In the ten years, many routes have been ceased. San Francisco has closed it's office and flights are only leaving Los Angeles. Primarily, the majority of flights are destinated for Asia. I had the choice of flying from Los Angeles to Hong Kong or New York to Bangkok. I chose the later for various reasons; one, I wanted to establish a relationship with the New York office, Bangkok would put me closer the other countries I planned to visit, plus I would be able to stay longer than the usual maximum stay of 30 days. I went for 60 days.
I included trips to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Though I still get this feeling of excitement flying as a courier, praticality is seeping in. Air fare is becoming cheaper, matching what you would pay as a courier unless you get a last minute discount deal (last mintues is ususlly being able to fly within the week) or flying for free at the need of the courier service. There is no meeting of reps in airports who will asign you to a flight so your travel wouln't be time-framed by strict measures. I'm setting up another courier run but the days of intrigue of flying roundtrip internationally for $135 are gone and meeting reps at airports are beginning to feel like get home from a party by 10pm. I would encourage anyone to try it and I have gotten peoplr to enjoy the travel of the unknown.
About the Author
Abby Nixon is the co-founder of Vanitytours.com, and Content Manager of Vanitytours.com's 'vSpot'. An online community.
Vientiane, Laos to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
laos international airport
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