RE: skids or no skids, truck or plane

["Bryan" <bryan@cookescrating.com>]

Hi Ashley, I will offer my 4 cents opinion to the questions you are asking.
I will always vote in favor of skids on crates. Sooner or later a crate is
going to encounter a fork lift. Crates without skids will often get
skewered. Also, skids allow air circulation under crates which keeps the
crate dry. And finally, skids add reinforcement and stiffness to the
structure of a crate.  

On the second issue of truck versus airplane:

Truck shipment allows careful handling. (Providing the truckers are
considerate and careful).  But truck shipping takes longer and despite air
ride suspensions, subjects the shipment to more road caused vibrations and
bumps. Also trucking carries more risk of accident, breakdown, weather
hazards, etc.

Air shipments are extremely safe (while on the airplane). Airplanes rarely
crash and flight times are measured in hours, not days. This also reduces
exposure to the shipment. The downside is the cargo handling at each end of
the flight. Air freight personnel are loath to hand load anything, and will
invariably use fork lifts. Also, they are under time pressure to palletize
shipments for impending flights. This means everything is done quickly.
However these risks can be mitigated by overseeing the handling and
palletizing to make certain the shipment is handled properly. 

Best regards, Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org [mailto:pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org] On
Behalf Of Ashley McGrew
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 11:46 AM
To: pacinlist@pacin.org
Subject: skids or no skids, truck or plane

Hi everyone,

I am posting this for another individual.

Questions: 

Are objects better protected traveling in crates with skids or without?

Can you share any crating guidelines (not to be distributed) that specify
the use of skids or lack there of?

Just for context - this person works for a museum that has always specified
the use of skids on crates and is now considering leaving them off due to
height considerations.


Another question concerns modes of transit.

When sending a standard painting which would you consider the safest option
- Sending the painting by truck with an Art Services Provider (air-ride,
climate control, trained handlers) along with a courier, or sending the same
painting air freight with a courier?

I know everyone is really busy but any response would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks,

Ashley