First-Class Travel for Free

Have you always wanted to operate your own company, have the leisure and money to travel to exotic countries, and fly first class?

If you like traveling, reside in or near a city with a significant national or international airport, and have the kind of lifestyle that allows you to pack up and go at a moment's notice, you may want to consider establishing your own "air courier" service.

What exactly is an air courier? It is a person who is paid to transfer a certain object from one location to another within a certain time frame.

And, before you start picturing menacing guys in trench coats carrying silenced pistols and attractive foreign ladies transferring hidden microchips, let me tell you that working as an air courier is completely legal and aboveboard!

What you are required to carry varies greatly; it may be nearly anything: legal papers such as letters or commercial contracts; children traveling from one nation to another; medication that was forgotten while on vacation; reports; computer disks; product prototypes; and so on.

Indeed, because of today's "immediate gratification" mentality, in which we are used to information and communication traveling at the speed of light, air courier firms have witnessed remarkable growth over the past 10 years. That means more chances for free travel for you.

Who may work as an air courier? Anyone above the age of 18, with a valid passport, and in excellent health It also helps if you're adaptable and able to pick up and travel on short notice.

Why is this a fantastic opportunity?

The shipper has two alternatives when transporting an item by air. The first is to send the box as "cargo." Cargo flies alone (particularly following the 9/11 disaster) in big containers that are normally not transported until the container is full, in order to maximize income for the airlines.

Furthermore, particularly when sending goods abroad, there may be considerable delays getting the shipment through customs; there are many laws that must be followed, inspections that must be passed, and so on.

These delays are unfathomable for air courier firms, which must ensure that the product is not only delivered but also reaches the designated destination as soon as feasible. If they fail to meet their deadlines, their rivals will. Consider one such company's slogan: "When it absolutely, certainly needs to be there overnight...

If the same item is deemed "personal luggage" and is transported with a ticketed passenger, it arrives with the traveler and normally goes through customs swiftly, without all the hassles.

Furthermore, a passenger may reserve a ticket for a certain aircraft that will arrive at their destination at a specified time; this is not the case with cargo. This implies that a package that would normally take days or weeks if classified as cargo might now take hours since it is designated as luggage.

Because very few air courier companies have the resources to employ full-time couriers, the industry has come to rely on freelance air couriers, who, even if they must pay someone to travel and cover the cost of their airfare, still provide a better ROI when compared to paying full-time wages, holiday and sick pay, insurance, and all of the other costs associated with having employees.

This is when you come into play

You provide a useful service as an air courier in a booming industry. And, from the perspective of a traveler, you may find yourself going to Paris one day and Hong Kong the next!

Once you've been employed, the procedure is rather straightforward: the employer calls you to confirm your availability. When you confirm, they book the flight and notify you of the arrival time at the airport. A representative greets you at the airport and gives you your ticket, a list of the item or items you're transferring, and your baggage claim tickets. They'll generally have you checked in, saving you a lot of time. You get to sit in first class and relax throughout the journey. That's all. You are not required to contact the receiver in the city to which you are traveling, to pick up the item on your way to the airport, or to do anything other than be responsible for its transportation from one airport to another.

When you arrive at your destination, you will be greeted by another business employee who will collect your baggage claim tickets and give you your return ticket.

How long are you allowed to stay? That is entirely up to you and the air courier business. Your itinerary may be tight at times, with just hours between flights. Sometimes you'll just have a day or two. Obviously, when your reputation grows and the firms you work with realize they can depend on you, you have greater negotiation power.

There are various options for getting started. There are firms that hire air couriers, and the expenses for joining are typically little. There are several advantages to using a recognized organization. They often reveal facts that would take you a long time to find out on your own. They also provide forums, newsletters, and other materials to assist you in your success. Because they have established a reputation, you may find it simpler to get started in the industry by initially working for one of them.

However, you may also gather the knowledge on your own and begin freelancing. Look in the yellow pages for air couriers near the nearest airport. Determine where you want to go and develop a list of the destinations they serve. Because there are organizations that deliver products both internationally and domestically, where you travel is primarily a question of personal preference.

Also, before applying to any firm, make sure you do your homework. You want to ensure that they are a reliable company with a good reputation. Once you've narrowed down your options, call and inquire about their application procedure. Many businesses nowadays prefer that you apply online. Whatever approach you choose, be certain that you supply them with all of the information they need.

After you've submitted your application, send a thank-you note on your new "business" letterhead. Remind them of your availability and that you may accept last-minute or no-show flights. Find a method to elevate yourself above the other couriers.

After you've gone through the process once, you'll have a much better notion of which additional firms to apply to and how to improve your interview abilities. (Also, don't submit your initial application to the largest firm you want to work for.) Obviously, confining yourself to one or two organizations will limit the quantity of work you'll obtain and the areas you'll be able to visit.

Timely tip: Create a database of the firms you've applied to, along with the date you applied and contact information. Follow up with the firm on a regular basis, but don't be a bother.

Don't be shocked if you start receiving calls within the first couple of weeks of being employed. Professional, responsible air couriers are in high demand.

When you begin working, keep the following points in mind:

Maintain a professional demeanor. While shorts and flip flops may be pleasant for vacationers, keep in mind that you are working for and representing the air courier firm.
Hand-carried luggage is often the only luggage allowed. Invest in simple microfiber clothes and learn to bring just the necessities. If you get to remain for more than a few days, you can always acquire some necessities while you're there.
Give your own business card to the corporate representative in the nation where you are traveling and add your email and voicemail details.
Apply to all of the firms you've chosen to work for, and then follow up with those that haven't contacted you on a regular basis with a polite letter or even a one-page newsletter with the newest industry news.
Maintain your organization. Don't overcommit, and try not to have to cancel a trip.

Being an air courier is a terrific way to earn money while traveling the globe. Good luck!

First-Class Travel for Free