By Ryan Ginster
Have you always dreamed of owning your own business, havingthe time and money to visit exotic locations and being ableto fly first class?
If you love traveling, live in or near a city with a largenational or international airport, and you have the kind oflifestyle that lets you pick up and go on a moment'snotice, then you might want to think about starting yourown business as an "air courier".
What is an air courier? It's a person who is hired totransport a specific item from one destination to another,within a specified deadline.
And, before you start imagining sinister men in trenchcoats carrying guns with silencers, and beautiful foreignwomen transporting secret microchips, let me reassure youthat traveling as an air courier is 100% legal andaboveboard!
What you are asked to transport varies tremendously -- itcan be almost anything -- legal documents such as lettersor business contracts, children going from one country toanother, medicine that was forgotten during a vacation,reports, computer disks, product prototypes -- the list isendless.
In fact, because of the "instant gratification" mindsettoday where we are used to information and communicationthat travels faster than the speed of light, air couriercompanies have seen their businesses grow tremendously overthe last ten years. What that means for you is increasedopportunities for free travel.
Who can become an air travel courier? Anyone who is over18, holds a valid passport and who is in good health. Italso helps if you're flexible and can pick up and travel onvery short notice.
Why is this a wonderful opportunity?
When sending a package by air, the shipper has two options-- the first is to send the package as "cargo." Cargotravels alone (especially since the tragedy of 9/11), isshipped in bulk in large containers that usually aren'tsent until the container is full, in order to maximizerevenues for the airlines.
In addition, especially when cargo is sent overseas, thereare sometimes long delays getting the package throughcustoms, there are endless regulations that must befollowed, inspections that must be passed, etc.
For the air courier companies, who have to make sure thepackage is not only delivered, but reaches the intendedrecipient as quickly as possible, these delays areunthinkable. (If they don't make their deadlines, thentheir competitors will. Think of the slogan from one suchcompany..."when it absolutely, positively has to be thereovernight...")
On the other hand, if the same item is considered "personalbaggage" and is carried with a ticketed passenger, itarrives with the passenger, and generally passes throughcustoms quickly, without all the delays.
Plus, a person can book a ticket for a specific flightarriving at their destination at a specific time -- not sofor cargo. Which means that a shipment that could take daysor weeks if it's classified as cargo, can take hoursinstead because it's classified as baggage.
Because very few of the air courier companies have theresources to employ full-time couriers, the industry itselfhas come to rely on freelance air couriers, which, evenwhen having to pay someone to travel, and covering the costof their airfare, is still a better ROI when comparedagainst the paying full-time wages, holiday and sick pay,insurance and all of the other costs involved with havingemployees.
This is where you come in.
As an air courier, you are providing a valuable service ina growing market. And from the traveler's point of view,you might find yourself flying to Paris one day, and HongKong a week later!
Once you've been hired, the process is pretty simple: thecompany contacts you, to check your availability. When youconfirm, they book the flight and let you know when to beat the airport. You're met at the airport by arepresentative, who gives you your ticket, a list of itemor items you're transporting, and your baggage claimtickets. They'll usually even have checked you in, savingyou many hassles. You get to sit in first class, and enjoythe flight. That's it. You don't have to contact therecipient in the city you're flying to, actually pick upthe package on your way to the airport, or do anythingother than be responsible for it going from one airport toanother.
At your destination, you'll be met by another companyrepresentative, who will take the baggage claim tickets,and give you your return ticket.
How long do you get to stay? That depends on you and theair courier company. Sometimes your schedule will be tight-- you may only get hours between flights. Other times,you'll have a day or two. Obviously, as your reputationincreases and the companies you work for know that they canrely on you, you have more room for negotiating.
There are several ways to get started. There are actuallycompanies who recruit air couriers, and the fees forjoining are usually nominal. The benefits of going througha certified company can be many. For example, they oftenprovide information that it could take you a long time tofigure out on your own. They also offer forums, newslettersand other resources to help you succeed. Because they havebuilt a reputation, you might find it easier to get startedin the business by working for one of them at first.
But, you can also find the information completely on yourown, and start off freelancing. Look in the yellow pagesfor air couriers that are located near your local airport.Figure out where you'd like to travel to, and make a listof the locations they serve. Because there are companieswho transport items both internationally or just within thestates, where you travel is largely going to be a matter ofpersonal choice.
Also, make sure that you investigate each company beforeapplying with them. You want to make sure that they are asolid business, with a good reputation. Once you'venarrowed down your choices, get on the phone, and find outwhat their application process is. Many companies todayprefer that you apply online. Whatever the process is, makesure that you provide them with all the information theyrequest.
Timely tip: After submitting your application, follow upwith a thank-you letter, on your new "company" letterhead.Remind them of your availability, that you can accept shortor no notice flights. Find a way to position yourself abovethat of the other couriers.
Once you've gone through the process the first time, you'llhave a much better idea about which other companies youwant to apply to and how to hone your interview skills. (Sodon't make your first application with the biggest companythat you want to work for the most.) Obviously, if youlimit yourself to one or two companies, you'll also belimiting the amount of work you'll get and the locationsyou can travel to.
Timely Tip: Put together a database of the companies you'veapplied to, the date you applied, and contact information.Follow up with the company regularly, but don't be a pest.
Once you've been hired, don't be surprised if you startgetting calls within the first couple of weeks. There is agrowing need for professional, responsible air couriers.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you start working:
1. Be professional. Remember that while shorts and flipflops may be comfortable for vacationers, you're workingand representing the air courier company.
2. Often the only baggage you get to take with you is handcarried. Invest in microfiber clothing in basic colors, andlearn to pack essentials only. If you do get to stay forlonger than a few days, you can always pick up someessentials once you're there.
3. Give your own business card to the companyrepresentative in the country you travel to, and make surethat your email and voice mail information is included.
4. Apply to all the companies you've decided you want towork for, and then follow up with the ones that haven'tcontacted you regularly -- perhaps a polite letter or evena one-page newsletter that lists the latest on industryrelated news.
5. Stay organized. Don't over commit yourself, and trynever to have to cancel a trip.
Being an air courier is a great way to make money and seethe world. Bon Voyage!
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com
