[gumby]

> That allowance was taken up by documents for various clients. This was usually quicker than any courier services at the time.

They were still a courier service. I once sat next to a guy (in first class!) who was accompanying checks to Hawaii. Yes, not so long ago they had to physically travel to the issuing bank. He was basically retired so he did this to travel, around and earn some money.

At the end of the flight they let him leave first. He told me they would let him off and he would go down to the tarmac to watch the cargo hold be unlocked and make sure the cargo wasn’t tampered with.

I’ve also had someone hand carry electronics to / from a customer. Sometimes it’s just easier.