Courier Jobs – FAQs About Overseas Transport

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Can I do deliveries and collections in Europe?

Typically yes, but do remember that the question might mean different things to different people.

Specifically:

• Europe is both a political and geographical expression. Some countries (e.g. Russia) are not in the European Union and the regulations for EU and Non-EU journeys may differ – so do your research on the country you’ll be tipping in and collecting from.

• Even in the EU, you do not have unrestricted rights to engage in collections and deliveries in the same third country (i.e. operating like a local national haulier). This is called ‘cabotage’ and you may only be able to make so many internal collections and deliveries within a specified period.

What will I need for international courier jobs?

That depends upon where you’re heading. Even within the EU, some countries have specific rules of the road and conditions that might be different to those in the UK – particularly for HGVs. Outside of EU destinations the position may become even more diverse and complicated. What you’ll need to do is some research on the net and through organisations such as The Road Haulage Association (RHA). Remember also to carefully check your licence status and your insurance. Be sure you understand the exact nature of the goods you’re carrying because if they’re prohibited in your destination country, nobody is going to be interested in your “I didn’t know” excuses!

Can I deliver to Asia and The Middle East?

Theoretically yes and very long distance road haulage has been established for a long time (many decades). However, extreme caution should be exercised when taking your vehicle outside of the EU or Europe in general. Regulations are strict and special road haulage / transit permits are required. As you are probably aware, some countries outside of Europe are currently regarded as being unstable and highly dangerous for foreigners. You should always consult foreign office travel advice and specialist haulage organisations for guidance. As a general rule, courier jobs to some destinations outside of Europe might be best avoided by novices.

Are there accompanied deliveries to further afield?

Yes but they are relatively uncommon. Some shippers of very high value or precious items (usually of smaller weight/dimensions) may wish to have them delivered by hand to virtually anywhere in the world. If, for example, someone is shipping a £150,000 watch to Australia from Europe then the additional cost of a round-trip air ticket for personal courier delivery might be seen as a relatively minor additional expense given the peace of mind provided. Be cautious though, as this method of delivery should not be used to bypass local duties and customs at importation. The goods must be declared and treated commercially – if you do not, you risk prosecution and imprisonment.

Not the ideal outcome of international courier jobs!

Motorcycle Helmets – How to Make Sure Your Motorcycle Helmet Fits You Properly

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The key to knowing your motorcycle helmet fits you properly is to make sure it feels snug and solid but not uncomfortable when you put it on.

If your helmet is loose, it could come off or twist around on your head in a serious crash. And wind flowing from underneath when you ride can force it up and strain your neck.

A tight helmet will pinch your ears and press against your forehead. It will cause headaches and distract you from your ride and from surrounding traffic.

When you try on helmets before you buy, remember these key points…

  • A helmet that fits you properly will require some force to put on. It may seem tight as it slides over your head because of the inside padding causing resistance.
  • If a helmet slides too easily over your head, it will not be snug enough to remain properly positioned or to prevent annoying wind noise from filling the helmet.
  • You will know a helmet fits properly when all of its interior padding makes solid contact with your head. A helmet will become uncomfortable and not protect you adequately if it only makes contact on the top of your head.
  • When you put on a full-face helmet, it should hold your cheeks and jaw firmly. It should make solid contact with the top and sides of your head. Many full-face helmets offer removable/interchangeable cheek pads. Different size pads can create the best helmet fit.
  • Your helmet should surround and “hug” your head with even pressure throughout. It shouldn’t create “hot spots” due to uneven pressure points. It should not press uncomfortably against your temples, forehead or cheeks.
  • The padding inside a helmet that is comfortably snug will compress and remain firm as it molds to your head.
  • A helmet with padding that creates a seal around your ears will block wind noise and protect your hearing. It will not block out important sounds such a voices or car horns.
  • Your helmet should not move when you shake your head forcefully up and down or from side-to-side.
  • Your nose or chin should not touch the faceshield.
  • A full-face helmet’s faceshield should seal the eye port.
  • A faceshield should move smoothly and easily and stay up when you raise it.
  • A faceshield should not distort your view — anywhere.

Do the “roll-ff” test to make sure a helmet will stay on when you need it

No helmet can protect you if will not stay on in an accident. So try this simple “roll-off” test before you buy or use a particular helmet. Pull on the helmet and snug down the chin strap. Grab the helmet’s rear edge where it contacts the back of your neck. Then try to lift and roll the helmet forward off your head. Give it a good tug, even if the pressure is uncomfortable. If the helmet slides forward and off, you know you should continue to look for one that stays on through this test.

Does the helmet you are considering give you the features you want most?

When you know a helmet fits comfortably and passes the “roll-off” test, see that it has all other features you want.

Such comfort features include…

  • Lots of snug padding around your head
  • A snug seal surrounding — but not touching — your ears
  • A thick, padded roll hugging the back of your head and neck
  • No protrusions poking or pressing against your head or face

One final test before you take it home…

  • Put on the helmet, tighten the chinstrap and keep it on for it for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Get used to how it feels and let it settle in.

After a while, if the helmet makes you uncomfortable by — for example — pressing against your forehead or the top of your head or pinching an ear, try cheek-pads that are sized differently. If that does not do the trick, let that particular helmet go. Continue the procedure with another “perfect prospect” until you find the one that satisfies you completely.

Drawer Pulls – Some Refreshing Ideas

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Looking to really mix things up in your house? There has been a major drive for people to be more creative in recent years. That goes beyond taking the time to learn how to do a little painting or drawing. Many want to show off their creativity by adding artistic touches to their homes.

While you may not be at the level where you want to do a major job on the whole house and start a massive painting project, you can start small and personalize some of the accents in your house like drawer pulls and knobs.

When you think about drawer pulls, you may not think about too much impressive. Those are just there to help you open the drawers and close them, right? Well, sure they can be just that. But they can also be much more if you give them a chance.

Here’s a look at some of the possible unique ways you can make new drawer pulls in your home.

Adding to Existing Pulls

If you have pulls that are made of a simple and rather plain material, you may be able to use that as your canvas. Many pulls are made of wood or plastic and are a solid color.

If you have a little painting prowess, you can turn these into new designs with your own hands.

Not a painter? Never fear, there are other ways to decorate as well. Small pieces of tile or glass can be attached to the front of the pull in a mosaic style. One thing to keep in mind if this is your plan is to make sure that the items you use on the pulls are not sharp edged as they can cut your hands as you try to use the drawers.

Handy with cloth? You can decorate your pulls and make them softer to the touch at the same time by adding fabric with designs to the handle or even crocheting or embroidering a piece to slip over the pull.

Making New Pulls

Another option is to create something completely new that can take on the roll of drawer pulls or knobs. This will take a little more thought and creativity, but can pay off in spades.

Have a nature theme going in your home? Why not add a little nature to your drawers? If you can find old pieces of driftwood or dried branches from a beloved tree in your backyard, these may take on a new life as pulls for your chest of drawers. It’s easier than you think. You can either use the base of your old drawer pulls and attach the new pieces to them or measure the screw holes that were in the old pulls and drill new holes in the wood at the right distance apart. Then just screw them in place and use.

In this respect, you can use whatever you think of as drawer pulls including old trinkets that you are willing to sacrifice with a drill hole to make it take on a new role.

The key to mixing up your hardware is to enjoy it and have fun while fine-tuning your creative look.

Two Methods of Reserving Your Car Hire Vehicle

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If there is one place for a wonderful holiday that you should really visit, this place is Alicante, among the finest not just in Spain and Europe but known all over the world. Many people who have visited this place confirmed the happy days and then spend here. The good things about this place are heard from first hand information that’s how the word about this place has spread. You are likely to get the very best out of every second you have in this place if you have your own car. Thus, most holiday-makers engage the services of cheap car hire Alicante. Hiring might be made before or after arrival at the Alicante International Airport.

El Altet was purposely mentioned because through experience, most guests land in this busy airport of Europe. Because of the tourist’s need for a very good form of transportation, Alicante car hire companies are stationed at this airport.

Car hire in Alicante is often done ahead of time or upon arrival, how did you do yours? If you made a booking for your rented car ahead of time, you then just need to collect the keys it upon arrival. Check on the company from which you hired the auto. If it is among the ten multi-national car hire firms with offices and parking area in front of the airport, then you may just pick up your keys at the airport.

This is the convenience in making a booking in advance. You will save precious time! All you need to do is proceed to the car bay across the airport’s exit. You are going to be passing the buses’ and cabs’ parking spaces before you arrive at the car hire stations. In just a short time period, you will be traveling to your journey’s end inside your own car in Alicante.

Even if you failed to make an advance booking, getting a hired car upon arrival remains simple. If you want to obtain one from the 10 firms at the airport, you have approach one of the car rental desks and have make request for a hire car However, there are two drawbacks of not making advance booking.

First, you’ll be encountering just a little waste of time with the choosing and documentation of the transaction. You can not only pay and move out. Documents have to be prepared. And this could take some time.

You may lose the chance to rent the car of your first choice. Your alternatives are now going to be restricted to what is free.

But then, there should still be some of vehicles available for your second choice. Hundreds of cars are within the fleet of multi-national companies such as those stationed at the airport. Hiring a car in summer can require more waiting time due to the turnaround time.

This provides you with a commonsense reason to book a hired car in advance. Try to go on-line and you will find it simple to make advance reservations. Navigate through the web sites of the different car hire firms or car hire booking agencies. Very few queries will be asked when you apply for your on-line booking – pick-up and drop off place. Name, address and age of the essential personal information that is asked in the application. Choosing your hired car may be made because the internet sites provide photos of the available cars. Surf further and you’ll see the various rates – lowest to highest.