>  Courier Flight Info

FLYING AS A COURIER - Reality Check

Flying as a courier to Latin America can be fun and cheap - but there are a few things to be considered before you sign up!

How flexible are you?

Fly as a courier only if you are prepared to be very flexible with your schedule and have few belongings. Courier flights can be subject to changes of hour, day or week. If you have deadlines you have to meet or important events for which you have to return to your home country, i.e. a wedding or a job, don't fly as a courier. If you know you will need a lot of equipment on your journey, i.e. camping gear, you need to ask what restrictions the courier company has about luggage. All the same, if cost is your primary travel consideration, the savings might be worth it. The lowest airfare available is offered to air couriers, and as long as you know the risks involved, flying as a courier CAN be a fun, cheap and adventurous way to go.

How to get started:

eXito does not recommend any courier companies, but if you are interested, we suggest you join the International Association of Air Travel Couriers (IAATC). For a membership fee of $45 you have access to bi-monthly updates of air courier bargains, daily faxed updates of last-minute specials and the bi-monthly newsletter The Shoestring Traveler. For more information, call IAATC at 407.582.8320 or write to #8 South J St., P.O. Box 1349, Lake Worth, FL 33460.

Some questions to ask before flying as a courier:

Do I fly as a courier both ways? Some carriers will only accept couriers on outbound flights.

What is the minimum and maximum stay allowed in my destination country?

How many bags am I allowed to carry (including dimensions and weight)?

Are there any special requirements -- visas, tourist cards, shots or immunizations -- I will need to take care of before flying?

What are the air courier company's restrictions and disclaimers?

What are the rules if -- due to an extreme emergency -- I have to miss my flight? The same rules that apply to regular paying customers may not apply to you as a courier. There may be only one space available that week on that flight.

With what airline will I be traveling and do they have any international travel restrictions?

How do I book the flight and confirm payment?

Don't forget!

Always confirm that you have paid for your ticket and ask whether you will have to present a credit card or other form of identification when picking up your ticket or before boarding the aircraft. And always confirm your return flight 72 hours before departure.

Major courier companies

Courier service to Latin America usually departs from Miami but some flights leave from New York, Los Angeles or other major hubs. The following is a list of the major courier companies serving Latin America:

World Courier - Tel: (718) 978-9552

Air Facility - Tel: (718) 712-1769

Now Voyager - Tel: (212) 431-1616

DTI - Tel: (212) 362-3636

Line Haul Services - Tel: (305) 477-0651