| Have you always dreamed of owning your own | | | | flying to, actually pick up the package on your |
| business, having the time and money to visit | | | | way to the airport, or do anything other than be |
| exotic locations and being able to fly first class? | | | | responsible for it going from one airport to |
| If you love traveling, live in or near a city with a | | | | another. |
| large national or international airport, and you have | | | | At your destination, you'll be met by another |
| the kind of lifestyle that lets you pick up and go | | | | company representative, who will take the |
| on a moment's notice, then you might want to | | | | baggage claim tickets, and give you your return |
| think about starting your own business as an "air | | | | ticket. |
| courier". | | | | How long do you get to stay? That depends on |
| What is an air courier? It's a person who is hired | | | | you and the air courier company. Sometimes your |
| to transport a specific item from one destination | | | | schedule will be tight -- you may only get hours |
| to another, within a specified deadline. | | | | between flights. Other times, you'll have a day or |
| And, before you start imagining sinister men in | | | | two. Obviously, as your reputation increases and |
| trench coats carrying guns with silencers, and | | | | the companies you work for know that they can |
| beautiful foreign women transporting secret | | | | rely on you, you have more room for negotiating. |
| microchips, let me reassure you that traveling as | | | | There are several ways to get started. There are |
| an air courier is 100% legal and aboveboard! | | | | actually companies who recruit air couriers, and |
| What you are asked to transport varies | | | | the fees for joining are usually nominal. The |
| tremendously -- it can be almost anything -- legal | | | | benefits of going through a certified company can |
| documents such as letters or business contracts, | | | | be many. For example, they often provide |
| children going from one country to another, | | | | information that it could take you a long time to |
| medicine that was forgotten during a vacation, | | | | figure out on your own. They also offer forums, |
| reports, computer disks, product prototypes -- | | | | newsletters and other resources to help you |
| the list is endless. | | | | succeed. Because they have built a reputation, |
| In fact, because of the "instant gratification" | | | | you might find it easier to get started in the |
| mindset today where we are used to information | | | | business by working for one of them at first. |
| and communication that travels faster than the | | | | But, you can also find the information completely |
| speed of light, air courier companies have seen | | | | on your own, and start off freelancing. Look in |
| their businesses grow tremendously over the last | | | | the yellow pages for air couriers that are located |
| ten years. What that means for you is increased | | | | near your local airport. Figure out where you'd like |
| opportunities for free travel. | | | | to travel to, and make a list of the locations they |
| Who can become an air travel courier? Anyone | | | | serve. Because there are companies who |
| who is over 18, holds a valid passport and who is | | | | transport items both internationally or just within |
| in good health. It also helps if you're flexible and | | | | the states, where you travel is largely going to be |
| can pick up and travel on very short notice. | | | | a matter of personal choice. |
| Why is this a wonderful opportunity? | | | | Also, make sure that you investigate each |
| When sending a package by air, the shipper has | | | | company before applying with them. You want to |
| two options -- the first is to send the package as | | | | make sure that they are a solid business, with a |
| "cargo." Cargo travels alone (especially since the | | | | good reputation. Once you've narrowed down |
| tragedy of 9/11), is shipped in bulk in large | | | | your choices, get on the phone, and find out what |
| containers that usually aren't sent until the | | | | their application process is. Many companies today |
| container is full, in order to maximize revenues for | | | | prefer that you apply online. Whatever the |
| the airlines. | | | | process is, make sure that you provide them |
| In addition, especially when cargo is sent | | | | with all the information they request. |
| overseas, there are sometimes long delays | | | | Timely tip: After submitting your application, follow |
| getting the package through customs, there are | | | | up with a thank-you letter, on your new |
| endless regulations that must be followed, | | | | "company" letterhead. Remind them of your |
| inspections that must be passed, etc. | | | | availability, that you can accept short or no notice |
| For the air courier companies, who have to make | | | | flights. Find a way to position yourself above that |
| sure the package is not only delivered, but | | | | of the other couriers. |
| reaches the intended recipient as quickly as | | | | Once you've gone through the process the first |
| possible, these delays are unthinkable. (If they | | | | time, you'll have a much better idea about which |
| don't make their deadlines, then their competitors | | | | other companies you want to apply to and how |
| will. Think of the slogan from one such | | | | to hone your interview skills. (So don't make your |
| company..."when it absolutely, positively has to be | | | | first application with the biggest company that |
| there overnight...") | | | | you want to work for the most.) Obviously, if |
| On the other hand, if the same item is considered | | | | you limit yourself to one or two companies, you'll |
| "personal baggage" and is carried with a ticketed | | | | also be limiting the amount of work you'll get and |
| passenger, it arrives with the passenger, and | | | | the locations you can travel to. |
| generally passes through customs quickly, without | | | | Timely Tip: Put together a database of the |
| all the delays. | | | | companies you've applied to, the date you applied, |
| Plus, a person can book a ticket for a specific | | | | and contact information. Follow up with the |
| flight arriving at their destination at a specific time | | | | company regularly, but don't be a pest. |
| -- not so for cargo. Which means that a shipment | | | | Once you've been hired, don't be surprised if you |
| that could take days or weeks if it's classified as | | | | start getting calls within the first couple of weeks. |
| cargo, can take hours instead because it's | | | | There is a growing need for professional, |
| classified as baggage. | | | | responsible air couriers. |
| Because very few of the air courier companies | | | | Here are some things to keep in mind when you |
| have the resources to employ full-time couriers, | | | | start working: |
| the industry itself has come to rely on freelance | | | | 1. Be professional. Remember that while shorts |
| air couriers, which, even when having to pay | | | | and flip flops may be comfortable for vacationers, |
| someone to travel, and covering the cost of their | | | | you're working and representing the air courier |
| airfare, is still a better ROI when compared | | | | company. |
| against the paying full-time wages, holiday and sick | | | | 2. Often the only baggage you get to take with |
| pay, insurance and all of the other costs involved | | | | you is hand carried. Invest in microfiber clothing in |
| with having employees. | | | | basic colors, and learn to pack essentials only. If |
| This is where you come in. | | | | you do get to stay for longer than a few days, |
| As an air courier, you are providing a valuable | | | | you can always pick up some essentials once |
| service in a growing market. And from the | | | | you're there. |
| traveler's point of view, you might find yourself | | | | 3. Give your own business card to the company |
| flying to Paris one day, and Hong Kong a week | | | | representative in the country you travel to, and |
| later! | | | | make sure that your email and voice mail |
| Once you've been hired, the process is pretty | | | | information is included. |
| simple: the company contacts you, to check your | | | | 4. Apply to all the companies you've decided you |
| availability. When you confirm, they book the flight | | | | want to work for, and then follow up with the |
| and let you know when to be at the airport. | | | | ones that haven't contacted you regularly -- |
| You're met at the airport by a representative, | | | | perhaps a polite letter or even a one-page |
| who gives you your ticket, a list of item or items | | | | newsletter that lists the latest on industry related |
| you're transporting, and your baggage claim | | | | news. |
| tickets. They'll usually even have checked you in, | | | | 5. Stay organized. Don't over commit yourself, |
| saving you many hassles. You get to sit in first | | | | and try never to have to cancel a trip. |
| class, and enjoy the flight. That's it. You don't | | | | Being an air courier is a great way to make |
| have to contact the recipient in the city you're | | | | money and see the world. Bon Voyage! |