Ever since 9/11, heightened airport security has made it much more difficult to travel. TSA scanning for explosives is required for every piece of luggage. The problem is these scanners cannot tell the difference between an explosive and a chocolate bar. This creates many false alerts and the need for airport personnel to search through your luggage. It also means you cannot lock your luggage, in case it has to be searched. This can be a time-consuming and humiliating experience. And who is to blame if one of your items is missing or damaged after it’s been poked through?

Airlines have also cut back on the pieces of luggage allowed per person and the maximum weight of those bags. Passengers are shocked to learn they will be required to pay extra for additional luggage or luggage over the 50 lb limit.

If you’re planning on traveling with luggage, the hassle is enough to make you want to stay home altogether.

This has given rise to good old American ingenuity, with some companies seeing this turn of events as an opportunity to create much needed solutions to the daily problems faced by travelers.

These companies pick up your luggage and deliver it to your destination, leaving you free to carry on, skipping all the security checks. They handle the paperwork, no tipping is necessary, and your luggage is waiting for you when you arrive. Be aware that you must pack your luggage for shipment to your destination two or three days earlier than your travel date. If you like to pack last minute, you’ll have to change your habits. When you check out of your hotel, leave your luggage at the front desk for pickup and delivery to your home in time for your arrival.

These companies use couriers like Federal Express to transport your luggage, sports equipment or other items you previously may have shipped airfreight. They offer additional customer service that rivals the best, anticipating your concerns and ensuring your luggage reaches its destination in one piece. The additional cost is well worth the savings in time and hassle.

Most travelers would agree that the idea of traveling with no luggage is a luxury. Today’s airport constrictions can turn a longed-for trip into a traveler’s nightmare. If there are services available that can alleviate some of these issues, it seems unwise not to take advantage of them.