Shipping Tools to Atlanta

[blue_crew]

This is my team's first year attending Championships and I was wondering how the team's that fly to Atlanta get all of their tools to the Dome. I know some teams drive tools to Atlanta. I am wondering how team's do it if they are traveling across the country (we are from California).
Do you use the same shipping company FIRST does? Is there an alternate shipping company? Can it be shipped directly to the Dome?

Thanks in advance.

[sanddrag]

I imagine you could take a couple of those plastic crates the kit comes in and check them as luggage on the plane. (not carry on, cargo compartment). If that doesn't work, see if your airline has air cargo. You would probably be able to get it to travel on the same flight as you.

[Ricky Q.]

The Georgia Dome will not accept tools or anything like that.

Check if any teams near you are driving or sending a trailer, they might be able to take some things for you.

Otherwise try checking it on the plane, we have checked everything from bins to toolboxes, the only issues will proabably be with batteries.

You can also try shipping to your hotel.

[Mark McLeod]

We ship our tools independently to Atlanta each year to a pickup location separate and apart from the FIRST drayage. They can hold the tools until you arrive. One of the sponsors we enlisted is a shipping company, so they have all the contacts and make all the arrangements.

We have an advance group of Non-Engineering Mentors (including alumni attending Emory in Atlanta) that travel earlier than the main group to smooth our arrival, pickup the tools, work with hotel management to rearrange the allotted rooms, etc.

[DjAlamose]

What we always did was ride a bus down to Atlanta, but in 2003 when it was in Huston we decided to fly out there. What we did was we had two people drive down there with everything we thought we might need. It was a long drive for them but they didn't mind. I don't like flying that much anyways... dunno why just don't.

[EricH]

Load 'em in the crate after your last regional, then have someone bring crate-opening tools in checked baggage. Only thing is you pay for every hundredweight after 400 pounds (401 and you pay).

[Tytus Gerrish]

Why ship tools when you can just Steal... I mean Borrow them from your neighbors