Traveling home with window cards

[reginula]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:04am

Is this too specific?

For those who travel by plane from out of town and love to get window cards (and even get them signed!) , what do you do when you don't travel with a large suitcase/checked luggage? Have you ever dealt with airline staff who thought it was an extra carry on item? How do you transport them to avoid wrinkles? just on its plastic bag?

I can't be the first to try to figure this out, so I'd love to hear your ideas/experiences!

[BroadwayNoob]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:08am

You could try shipping them home in a poster tube as opposed to attempting to travel with them?

[gleek4114]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:11am

I always mail mine back to myself.

[reginula]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:15am

BroadwayNoob said: "You could try shipping them home in aposter tubeas opposed to attempting to travel with them?"

The cardboard nature of the window cards makes me scared of putting them on tubes. I'm guessing this means they don't get creases from that? Huh. 

[reginula]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:17am

Also, I really need to take them with me because I live abroad and the postal service here is SH*T. Everything gets lost in the mail. (But that's a different issue. Still, thanks)

[msmp]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:29am

My suggestion would be maybe invest in an artists' portfolio of a size slightly larger than the window cards and take it to/from NYC as a checked bag. If you mark it fragile/do not bend, it should be fine in transit. That way you don't need to trust the mail with them!

[Kitsune]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:45am

reginula said: "Is this too specific?

For those who travel by plane from out of town and love to get window cards (and even get them signed!) , what do you do when you don't travel with a large suitcase/checked luggage? Have you ever dealt with airline staff who thought it was an extra carry on item? How do you transport them to avoid wrinkles? just on its plastic bag?

I can't be the first to try to figure this out, so I'd love to hear your ideas/experiences!"

For my last trip, I bought some poster tubes at the Staples by Penn Station. I recommend getting one with decent circumference, since window cards can be hard to roll up.

I personally didn't have a problem with bringing my cardboard poster tube on the plane, but I didn't have any other large carry-ons, and I was flying domestic. 

[HSky]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:52am

I've asked a hotel for an old box and made a corrugated cardboard sandwich to further protect the windowcard in the past. (In that case, it was just small enough to fit in the dimensions of my small rollaboard suitcase but I could have carried it on otherwise.)

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 1:05am

NO....NO....NO......NEVER A POSTER TUBE....THIS IS HEAVY STOCK....IT'S SACRELIGIOUS TO PUT A BWAY POSTER IN A TUBE....Because I live locally, I have the luxury of taking it home.  Call me neurotic and I'm okay. But this is what I did for free of charge. 

The post office has priority mail boxes free of charge.  If you want to ship it home, it will cost you about $19, but if you want to take it on the plane, this is what I do.

The post office has a LARGE FLAT RATE PRIORITY MAIL BOX...  It's 23 x 12 x 3.  Just slip the poster into it and clip the ends with binder clips from Staples or Office Depot.  If you want to mail it, this is perfect. BUT make sure you secure it inside so it doesn't move around and get creased.  Put cardboard all over it before putting it into that larger box.  

I spent weeks getting signatures on my stuff and I want to know it will get home in one piece.  The card stock that is used for broadway posters is too THICK TO ROLL.  DON'T EVER DO IT.  I nearly fainted when I saw folks doing that.  But I frame mine professionally.   So if you just plan to tape them to the wall, okay. But if you want to get it home in pristine condition, go to the post office prior and get the super large box of 23 x 12 x 3. I swear it was made for these.

 

[pg1287]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 7:55am

Carried one on the plane without issue last year. Just be careful when putting it in the overhead bin as other people's suitcases could damage it.

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 8:45am

JayElle said: "NO....NO....NO......NEVER A POSTER TUBE....THIS IS HEAVY STOCK....IT'S SACRELIGIOUS TO PUT A BWAY POSTER IN A TUBE....Because I live locally, I have the luxury of taking it home. Call me neurotic and I'm okay. But this is what I did for free of charge.

The post office has priority mail boxes free of charge. If you want to ship it home, it will cost you about $19, but if you want to take it on the plane, this is what I do.

The post office has a LARGE FLAT RATE PRIORITY MAIL BOX... It's 23 x 12 x 3. Just slip the poster into it and clip the ends with binder clips from Staples or Office Depot. If you want to mail it, this is perfect. BUT make sure you secure it inside so it doesn't move around and get creased. Put cardboard all over it before putting it into that larger box.

I spent weeks getting signatures on my stuff and I want to know it will get home in one piece. The card stock that is used for broadway posters is too THICK TO ROLL. DON'T EVER DO IT. I nearly fainted when I saw folks doing that. But I frame mine professionally. So if you just plan to tape them to the wall, okay. But if you want to get it home in pristine condition, go to the post office prior and get the super large box of 23 x 12 x 3. I swear it was made for these.

"

I ordered my Carousel window card from their online store and it was sent in a tube. Not a wrinkle or crease on it (except the texture pressed into it on purpose). And I'm trying to figure the postal box you described. Standard window cards are 14x22. What do you do with the extra 2 inches in width?

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 9:06am

I would always put all of my window card together almost to great like a super thick cardboard. And then put all the bags that they came in over the stack. I’ve never had any issues.
As for the “extra” carry on. I’ve always said if questioned that the assistant for the air company at the enterance said that it would be fine because they are a fragile item. And I’ve never had any issues. (Actually some airlines have made it a super priority.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 10:00am

You have 2 perfect options:

1. If you have a large suitcase, you simply lay them down on the bottom of your suitcase.  If it’s not a flat bottom surface, just lay them between a layer of your packed clothes (bottom is clothes, then windowcards, then light weight clothes on top of windowcards so you created a protective cushion).

2. You simply carry them on board with you in the store bag. You can even lay them flat on the above storage and put your bag on top.  They are laying down on a flat surface so placing any weight on top of them won’t damage them whatsoever.  If you have a window seat, just hold on to them next to you in your seat. 

I always did either one, depending if I brought a suitcase or not.  Suitcase — I put them in there.  No suitcase — I carry them with me on board.  

[pc1145N]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 10:57am

I agree with JayElle. NEVER ROLL A WINDOWCARD!!!!!! NEVER!

I ordered a windowcard from Triton Gallery and had it shipped to my home. I saved the flat shipping "box" they sent the windowcard in and use that packaging to hold my new windowcards in my suitcase. The packaging is very strong. I highly recommend it.

I bought (at TJMaxx so it would be more affordable) a rolling suitcase. I pack clothes above and below the window cards so they won't bend. I've never had a problem.

[LiveOutLoud]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 11:07am

I have flown with window cards many times. I always just carry them in the plastic bag they come in. A few times, I have had flight attendants offer (without me even asking) if I would like it placed in the first class closet (without sitting in first class). Other times, I either just place it underneath the seat in front of me so I can keep an eye on it the whole time, place it in the bin above me after everyone has seated, or if I'm in a window seat, I will just slide it in between the seat and the window. It's the perfect fit, it stays safe and secure and doesn't bother me or anyone else. 

I have done all of the above multiple times and have never damaged or even slightly damaged a window card. Just be mindful, have a few plans about what to do with them, and you'll be fine. 

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 11:13am

The store at Shubert Alley has cardboard that they secure their windowcards with (taping the bottom and sides of the cardboard so the windowcard doesn’t fall out, but leaving the top untaped so you can slide the windowcard in and out. I saved mine and reuse it every time I make a windowcard purchase (multiples can fit inside easily). Even if you aren’t buying a windowcard from them directly I’ve heard of others who asked to just buy the cardboard from them for a nominal amount. (Or get cardboard from a craft store cut to the dimensions yourself). Then you can just rest it on top of the bags in an overhead bin compartment with no issue.

[Eliza2]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 11:45am

I used to do the cardboard sandwich thing. Now I just keep them in their plastic bag, carry it on the plane, and I always have a window seat so I just stand it up against the "wall" of the plane and sort of wedge the corner between the wall and my armrest. I do this several times a year and have never had any problems.

[HelloDanny]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:14pm

Board early and carry them on the plane with you. Carefully place them flat in the overhead underneath your carry on. Also you can set the bag on the floor by your feet and keep you feet to either side. I've always carried them on.  It's the only to make sure they stay safe.  

 

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 8/13/18 at 1:17pm

LiveOutLoud said: "I have flown with window cards many times. I always just carry them in the plastic bag theycomein. A few times, I have had flight attendants offer (without me even asking) if I would like it placed in the first class closet (without sitting in first class). Other times, I either just place it underneath the seat in front of me so I can keep an eye on it the whole time, place it in the bin above me after everyone has seated, or if I'm in a window seat, I will just slide it in between the seat and the window. It's the perfect fit, it stays safe and secure and doesn't bother me or anyone else.

I have done all of the above multiple times and have never damaged or even slightly damaged a window card. Just be mindful, have a few plans about what to do with them, and you'll be fine."

This right here.   I have traveled with them every time I go to the city.   Just wait until just before departure and put them on top of everyone else's carry ons -- it's simple and safe -- I wouldn't put them on the bottom because they slide and can bent with other traveler just throwing their stuff up top.   

 

No issues at all  :)