RE: skids or no skids, truck or plane

["Hinson, Richard" <rhinson@mfah.org>]

Ashley,

	I always prefer and request an object crate with skids,
especially when the size of the crate is large. This facilitates loading
the crate on dollies. If the crate is large, I instruct my staff to load
it on dollies using an appliance dolly or J-Bar. It is so much easier to
load a painting onto dollies this way and makes it unnecessary for the
crate to be lifted manually. Really large painting crates should have
skids recessed from the edge of the crate by an inch or so. This allows
the appliance dolly or J-Bar to get a bite and doesn't destroy the crate
from multiple lifts.

	I also request that all crates with skids be attached with
counter-sunk screws. That way if the skids need to be removed for height
reasons, they can be removed easily and re-attached to the crate.

	That's all I've got on skids.

Richard Hinson

-----Original Message-----
From: pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org [mailto:pacinlist-bounces@pacin.org]
On Behalf Of Ashley McGrew
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:46 PM
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