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