| It sounds like a dream doesn't it? Hopping | | | | Courier Association the standard saving that |
| onto a plane and taking a flight to the | | | | travellers get when they act as a courier is |
| destination of your choice. Imagine | | | | 85% on the normal flight price. There isn't a |
| collecting your flight tickets to New York, | | | | travel agent in the world that will match |
| London, Goa - or wherever takes your fancy - | | | | such a discount. |
| and not having to pay a cent for them. | | | | |
| | | | So what are your responsibilities as a |
| For a few people, this dream is actually a | | | | courier? Well it's as simple as turning up to |
| reality. How? Simply put they have discovered | | | | the airport on time and meeting the courier |
| a little travel secret - namely that a lot of | | | | companys representative at the destination |
| companies will actually pay the travel | | | | airport. As soon as you walk through the |
| expenses for you to oversee their package or | | | | customs area at your destination, your job is |
| document from one country to another. Now | | | | over. |
| this may bring to mind images of having to | | | | |
| smuggle a microfilm past some dodgy russian | | | | What are the drawbacks of this deeply |
| customs ala James Bond, but the reality is | | | | discounted travel? Well for a start you're |
| nowhere near as exciting or dangerous - which | | | | probably only going to be allowed one carry |
| is great news for the budget traveller. The | | | | on bag as your luggage - so learning how to |
| even better news is that with a little know | | | | travel light & pack efficiently is essential. |
| how, any adult can act as a courier and score | | | | It's also important to have some degree of |
| free and deeply discounted flight tickets to | | | | flexibility in terms of when you're able to |
| the destination of their choice. | | | | fly, though usually you can get many flights |
| | | | comfortably in advance. You also need to be |
| It's completely legal and can save you | | | | at least 18 and obviously have a valid |
| thousands in saved airfare every year. | | | | passport. |
| Courier companies are continually on the | | | | |
| lookout for willing travellers to carry their | | | | Assuming you're ok with these drawbacks, you |
| items overseas. There is nothing sinister | | | | can really fly to just about any destination |
| about it and nothing is hidden from the | | | | at incredibly low costs. |
| authorities - the traveller is paid with a | | | | |
| deeply discounted (and sometimes free) air | | | | Ready to go? The whole world awaits you! |
| ticket. According to a survey by the Air | | | | |