<p>Does anyone else have this problem?
I'm moving cross country for school. I plan to check two large suitcases and carry a duffel onto the plane. I'm mailing three boxes, one with winter clothes, one with a down comforter and some other stuff, and one with books. I'm packing right now and I'm still going over the weight limit for the airlines! I don't want to be charged the $25 dollar over-weight charges on top of those ridiculous bag fees - but sending more of my stuff will cost too. When I get to the east coast I have to take a completely over priced shuttle. It's the only one around according to a fellow student so they like to over-charge desperate students. On top of that, they charge per bag as well.
Who thinks I should stick with the mail? Has anyone had good luck with mailing their belongings over packing?
Sorry if this sounds like a rant, I'm just annoyed!</p>
<p>Well I'd first calculate how much the mailing is going to cost, weigh your stuff and find out. </p>
<p>Then based on that make a decision about whether to pay the extra fee for going over the weight limit or simply mail it out.</p>
<p>Have you considered buying stuff when you get there? Sometimes this may be the cheapest option.</p>
<p>Thanks xTr0 - definitely began to calculate my options and dove into the UPS website.
smithiegr- I don't want to buy anything when I get there because sans school supplies I have everything I need. I did find a cheaper shuttle in the area that will only charge me $5 for my extra duffel and the rest is free. Rolling my clothes has helped a lot as well - that's the real problem. I just have too many clothes. I did take your advice however and eliminated some ridiculously bulky things that I probably could buy there.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Then cut back on your clothes.... The baggage policies have been in effect since June so there's not much you can do about avoiding the additional bags fees. And every bag is 50 pounds?!</p>
<p>I'm moving from the West to the East, and yes I agree that packing is GRRRRR. D:</p>
<p>packing sucks... I need to figure out how I can stash my effects pedalboard in my suitcase....gaahhh</p>
<p>well at least your airline allows you to check two bags and the overweight fee is only $25.</p>
<p>my airline allows only one checked bag and overweight fees are $50/bag. !!!!</p>
<p>Mail your belongings. That's far easier than flying with them. I've also had lots of suitcases that have been temporarily lost by the airlines, and that's a pain. Never have had a problem with the mail.</p>
<p>mailing fifty pounds is really, really expensive.
they don't make this easy.</p>
<p>i do think that in the mail, contents are less likely to be damaged. you know, they way they throw your bags around on airplanes, it's a bona fide miracle if all your toiletries make it to your destination without at least one exploding and finding a way to leak out of your waterproof bag and onto some cloth portion of your contents or suitcase, permanently staining your belongings.</p>
<p>also, mailing is tough because that way you're CERTAIN you won't have your package for several days. the only real difference between temporary "loss" of your airline baggage and the wait for your mailed goods is that you know your mail will get to you eventually...and if it doesn't, it's a lot easier to file your claim and (sort of) fix things.</p>
<p>airports and airlines and airplanes are such inconvenient and inefficient things anymore!</p>
<p>i'm just taking one suitcase and a small backpack with me ALL the way across the country. I just sent myself a package with winter stuff in it via parcel post, so i'll receive it in about 7 weeks. everything else i need (sheets, towels, etc.) i'll buy there.</p>
<p>Since I'm flying to Boston with my D, I am packing my checked bag with her stuff and then leaving it there ( I bought a large roll-on at a thrift store for $5). We bought our tickets before July 6, so the extra charge for the first bag had not gone into effect yet- US Air is not making it retroactive so we each get that first bag free (up to 50#). Check your airline's website. We bought sheets, towels, etc. thru jcpenney.com and they are being delivered to the local store for us to pick up when we get there-saves shopping time. We will get school supplies there. We did ship 1 box today thru UPS; it cost $24 for a 14 # regular size box- I was shocked and we won't be doing a lot of that! We will send some books and sheet music thru USPS media mail- it is cheap but takes longer. Good luck!</p>