As most of our work is contract, I have fitted all over the Uk, and Ireland. I`ve been asked to follow a shop fit around Europe, a total of 26 stores. The first two are Berlin, and Paris, but there will be gaps in between each one. I`ve always driven before, as we use such a variety of tools, but if i`m going to be doing loads, then flying would seem more sensible. I have checked in my knives, and a few other bits at the airport before, but never much more than than. Has anyone else done much abroad ? and whats the best way to go about it ?
Flown with hand tools which had to go in the hold in 94. Don't know about now but bet the rules are a lot tougher. Got to be easier to drive
Couldn't you put your tools on a pallet and ship them over by lorry and you take the plane? take insurance out on the tools then rent a van when you get there, a mate of mine does logistics and the prices he quotes for to me seem quite cheap for the miles.
I did Ireland last year, with a few hand tools checked in. That was o.k. Not sure about easier to drive. For Berlin its nearly 750 miles, plus ferry, toll roads, plus going through other countries and passport checks etc, when flying is under 2 hours. Add your time, and diesel, and its a lot of money. Do agree that you will always need something you have in your van.
Yes, sounds like that might be the way to go. When we used to do a lot of this, I used to send a set of tools in a container, with the rest of the shopfitting kit. Thats not happening this time, but I could send some kit out before I leave.
Id buy a big site box/van vault if you havent already got one to send the tools in on a pallet, locked up away from theiving hands/eyes.
