Page 36 - Louisiana Loop (manuscript Edition)

It was meant to save money by using Greyhounds
Discount shipping when you travel with your
“oversized packages.” “You can ship 5 pieces of
excess baggage at a discounted rate of $35-$45 each,
depending on how far you're going. This is in addition
to those you're allowed to bring on board. Any more
than 5 items will be charged at our usual rates. The
maximum weight for baggage shipped using
Greyhound Package Express is 75lb (34kg) per item .
Considering my ticket was 100, I had a carry on and
the first cargo was 15 approx. Outgoing travel costs
were 300 approx. on a 400 budget. (The surplus would
definitely be needed). Weeks and months of planning
how to get there was rewarded with savings.

I have to admit a certain trepidation on the day I was
ready to leave because I fully expected at any minute to
be charged extra for shipping and no matter how many
times I took a container or shrink wrap down early to
weigh it I could not imagine the cost being this low. Part
of my plan was to use the same containers shipped in by
simply loading the cargo containers in each other making
one box and using as storage and upper deck. This config
meant I could reship back everything in same containers.
My kayak actually was a separate package in it’s own
folded, strapped, package. The simplicity and elegance of
the idea appealed to me and while I tried to anticipate
any issues, as I prepared to board I felt confident.

Feeling a certain amount of pride over how things were
working out I can’t say I did not know about one little
paragraph in shipping by Greyhound they mentioned. One
little line that said given “room” and availability some cargo
would at times arrive later on another bus. Shipping was
limited to space and could arrive at a later date. This was one
of those “yeah but” where you think you might be the
exception to the rule instead of being the Butt of the
warning…….

So when my cargo was not in Baton Rouge when I arrived I
was not surprised. I was surprised after two days and still
waiting in the bus terminal for my gear to get there.