Traveling with Your Fursuit
Traveling with your one of a kind fursuit can be very stressful! But when the right precautions are used, it can be easier! Here are some tips on the ways to travel with your fursuit!
Watch our episode on traveling with your suit!
Traveling with Your Fursuit
Traveling with Your Fursuit
Traveling by Air
The most stressful way to travel with your fursuit is by plane. Accidents can happen, but you can do your best to help prevent that! Here are some tips on traveling with your suit by plane.
-Try to have your mask as a carry on item. This way if anything is to happen, the most important piece of the suit is with you! And you know it's safe. We have taken our masks as carry on and had no issue. This could depend on our flight and it's attendants, but we flew on 4 planes with no issue. They can be in the overhead bin, but try to cushion your mask with jackets if possible (People love cramming those things). Otherwise, try to fit it under the seat in front of you. Either muzzle in first, or lay it on the back of the head and put the ears in first.
-Use a sturdy hard shelled suitcase for travel! I highly recommend using hard shelled suitcases over using totes. They are easier, less likely to get searched, the lid cannot come off, etc. There also is apparently differences between suitcases and totes for insurance. Do not use a thin walled tote, regular suit case or regular box. Keep your suit safe! Many have had issues with totes as of late, so please use a hard shelled suitcase!
-Use TSA approved locks! (If you use a tote, or if you wanna lock the zippers of your suitcase) Some people have still had issues here, I have not used one myself but some say they work alright. You can also use Zip Ties, and leave extras inside in case they open your tote. Please have some sort of lock system on the lid if you use a tote, as those latches don't stay on well when being tossed around a plane! Which is why, again hard suitcase recommended!
-Leave the TSA a polite and detailed note, letting them know this is a one of a kind item that is very expensive. Tell them it needs to be put back properly, and closed back up properly to insure the safety of the item.
-Put labels with your name, and contact information all over your tote or suitcase! Have your name, mailing address, email, and phone number. That way if it is lost they know where to send it too. Again, ALL OVER your suitcase or tote. Also, put Fragile labels on your tote or suitcase, they don't always follow them, but it can help sometimes. Some people have even put luggage tags on their fursuit items in case of opening or loss.
-If possible, have your suit inside plastic bags inside your suitcase or tote. Just to keep it even more safe just in case moisture happens. This also lets you know items will stay together in the event your tote is opened. Using Space Bags also helps keep it safe while giving you more room in your tote. I have yet to hear of a space/vacuum bag being opened in airports.
-If your mask is in the luggage, make sure it is very cushioned!
-If possible, purchase a luggage tracking device. A couple exist on the market that let you know where your luggage is! This helps relieve some stress knowing where your suit is when it lands. And if it is to get lost, you can still know where it is, or where it was last. We recommend "Track Dot".
-After you have landed, before leaving the airport, check your suitcase or tote, see if it was opened and if anything has moved. If any damage is done to your suit, alert someone immediately.
-Try to have your mask as a carry on item. This way if anything is to happen, the most important piece of the suit is with you! And you know it's safe. We have taken our masks as carry on and had no issue. This could depend on our flight and it's attendants, but we flew on 4 planes with no issue. They can be in the overhead bin, but try to cushion your mask with jackets if possible (People love cramming those things). Otherwise, try to fit it under the seat in front of you. Either muzzle in first, or lay it on the back of the head and put the ears in first.
-Use a sturdy hard shelled suitcase for travel! I highly recommend using hard shelled suitcases over using totes. They are easier, less likely to get searched, the lid cannot come off, etc. There also is apparently differences between suitcases and totes for insurance. Do not use a thin walled tote, regular suit case or regular box. Keep your suit safe! Many have had issues with totes as of late, so please use a hard shelled suitcase!
-Use TSA approved locks! (If you use a tote, or if you wanna lock the zippers of your suitcase) Some people have still had issues here, I have not used one myself but some say they work alright. You can also use Zip Ties, and leave extras inside in case they open your tote. Please have some sort of lock system on the lid if you use a tote, as those latches don't stay on well when being tossed around a plane! Which is why, again hard suitcase recommended!
-Leave the TSA a polite and detailed note, letting them know this is a one of a kind item that is very expensive. Tell them it needs to be put back properly, and closed back up properly to insure the safety of the item.
-Put labels with your name, and contact information all over your tote or suitcase! Have your name, mailing address, email, and phone number. That way if it is lost they know where to send it too. Again, ALL OVER your suitcase or tote. Also, put Fragile labels on your tote or suitcase, they don't always follow them, but it can help sometimes. Some people have even put luggage tags on their fursuit items in case of opening or loss.
-If possible, have your suit inside plastic bags inside your suitcase or tote. Just to keep it even more safe just in case moisture happens. This also lets you know items will stay together in the event your tote is opened. Using Space Bags also helps keep it safe while giving you more room in your tote. I have yet to hear of a space/vacuum bag being opened in airports.
-If your mask is in the luggage, make sure it is very cushioned!
-If possible, purchase a luggage tracking device. A couple exist on the market that let you know where your luggage is! This helps relieve some stress knowing where your suit is when it lands. And if it is to get lost, you can still know where it is, or where it was last. We recommend "Track Dot".
-After you have landed, before leaving the airport, check your suitcase or tote, see if it was opened and if anything has moved. If any damage is done to your suit, alert someone immediately.
Traveling by Vehicle
This is much less stressful! But still some tips should be shared! Here are some tips on traveling with your suit by vehicle. Most of this is common sense, but since we have been asked before, we'll put it in.
-It is possible to have your mask out of the tote and on your lap or on a seat. This way it does not have to be crammed in the box. But if you have it outside of the box, make sure it is not in direct sunlight, and that the car is kept at a good temperature.
-Make sure the mask is in a safe place where shifting luggage cannot crush it, and it cannot roll around the vehicle.
-It is still a good idea to have your suit in a heavy duty tote, it is safer to travel anywhere with your suit in this condition.
-As with the mask, make sure the tote does not get stuck in direct sunlight, just in case it heats it up. Keep the car at a good temp for your suit.
-Do not put your tote on the top of the car, have it safely stored inside the vehicle.
-Make sure your suit isn't distracting to your driver or in the way of view, always drive safe.
-Do not leave fursuit totes inside of cars unattended. In the last couple of years many suits have been stolen from vehicles. Keep your suit covered up, or better yet, don't leave it alone if possible. People see a tote and think something of value will be inside, so please be careful. A clear walled tote could help in this case as they will see its a costume and may leave it behind. Also, of course, always make sure your vehicle is locked and secured.
-It is possible to have your mask out of the tote and on your lap or on a seat. This way it does not have to be crammed in the box. But if you have it outside of the box, make sure it is not in direct sunlight, and that the car is kept at a good temperature.
-Make sure the mask is in a safe place where shifting luggage cannot crush it, and it cannot roll around the vehicle.
-It is still a good idea to have your suit in a heavy duty tote, it is safer to travel anywhere with your suit in this condition.
-As with the mask, make sure the tote does not get stuck in direct sunlight, just in case it heats it up. Keep the car at a good temp for your suit.
-Do not put your tote on the top of the car, have it safely stored inside the vehicle.
-Make sure your suit isn't distracting to your driver or in the way of view, always drive safe.
-Do not leave fursuit totes inside of cars unattended. In the last couple of years many suits have been stolen from vehicles. Keep your suit covered up, or better yet, don't leave it alone if possible. People see a tote and think something of value will be inside, so please be careful. A clear walled tote could help in this case as they will see its a costume and may leave it behind. Also, of course, always make sure your vehicle is locked and secured.