Bikes on planes

So [email hidden] (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"😉 says:

Quoted message said:

I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live
in Carolina) to visit my family. And I want to take my
mountain bike along and do a ride with the old club while
I'm there.

Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able
to get their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge,
but this is no longer the case. :-3(

Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for
various airlines concerning taking a packed, ready to ship
bike on their planes? Or would shipping UPS be cheaper than
all of them?

I went Vancouver, BC to Orlando, Fl. a earlier this year and
UPS would have been over $100 cheaper if I had had time to
do it that way.

jeffb

ps I've got a bike bag used once for cheap.

In article <[email hidden]>,

(Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman') said:

I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live
in Carolina) to visit my family. And I want to take my
mountain bike along and do a ride with the old club while
I'm there.

Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able
to get their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge,
but this is no longer the case. :-3(

Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for
various airlines concerning taking a packed, ready to ship
bike on their planes? Or would shipping UPS be cheaper
than all of them?

If you can get your hands on a corporate rate, FedEx may
be cheap. About 8 years ago, I shipped a MTB frame (and
form - no other stuff). Cost just $17 for 2nd day air
Delaware to Nevada. I wager sending ground would cost less
than $60 each way.

Not the Karl Orff said:

In article <28387-407F0EA3-251@storefull-
3172.bay.webtv.net>,

(Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman') said:

I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live
in Carolina) to visit my family. And I want to take my
mountain bike along and do a ride with the old club while
I'm there.

Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be
able to get their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of
charge, but this is no longer the case. :-3(

Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for
various airlines concerning taking a packed, ready to
ship bike on their planes? Or would shipping UPS be
cheaper than all of them?

If you can get your hands on a corporate rate, FedEx may
be cheap. About 8 years ago, I shipped a MTB frame (and
form - no other stuff). Cost just $17 for 2nd day air
Delaware to Nevada. I wager sending ground would cost less
than $60 each way.

Fedex Ground *is* cheapest. I've gone coast to coast several
times for less than $30.

As far as airlines go, I've been quoted anywhere from $40
each way, to $75 *per leg.* Strangely, it's often free on
overseas flights. The Adventure Cycling and Bikeleague deals
have been on-again, off-again too. The only way to know for
sure is to ask about the charges when you shop for your
tickets, and figure it all into the total cost. I wish there
was a simple answer, but I really believe there isn't one.

George Farnsworth, who posts here, keeps track with his
BikeAccess website:

gfarnsworth.comdefault.cfmOpen ↗

However, this stuff is always in flux.

Matt O.

"Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live
in Carolina) to visit my family. And I want to take my
mountain bike along and do a ride with the old club while
I'm there.

Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able
to get their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge,
but this is no longer the case. :-3(

Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for
various airlines concerning taking a packed, ready to ship
bike on their planes? Or would shipping UPS be cheaper
than all of them?

LAW still has two airlines that have bikes fly free, America
West and Frontier. See bikeleague.orgflyfree.htmOpen ↗
. Same deal with IMBA,
imba.combikes fly free.htmlOpen ↗ . There
used to be seven airlines that had this deal.

Note that they say that you have to book through a specific
travel agency, but in practice many people have found that
this isn't always required, see: gfarnsworth.com-gfarnsworth.com-Open ↗
/BikeAccess/Articles_db.cfm?Search=%2BAirlines%2CF
rontier%2C*&Article=Bikes%20Fly%20Free

You might be better off renting a bike, if it's only for a
one day ride. Probably will cost you $30-40 (why is renting
a bicycle more expensive than renting a car?).

My experience has been that the airlines are flexible (so
are the planes, BTW). I've managed to avoid the charge if I
have no checked luggage other than the bike. (I stuff the
case as much as I can and take carryons, or give a bag to a
travelling companion to check.) You have to be prepared to
haggle a bit.

I saw in some FTA or FAA official document once that
airlines are not allowed to charge extra just because it's a
bike. But arguing FAA regulations with the person at the
checkin is not a winner. They know that for $60 you're not
going to take them to court. It's much better to make nice
and try to get them on your side.

YMMV

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live
in Carolina) to visit my family. And I want to take my
mountain bike along and do a ride with the old club while
I'm there.

Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able
to get their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge,
but this is no longer the case. :-3(

Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for
various airlines concerning taking a packed, ready to ship
bike on their planes? Or would shipping UPS be cheaper
than all of them?

TIA

- -

"May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear
for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

trg said:

My experience has been that the airlines are flexible (so
are the planes, BTW). I've managed to avoid the charge if
I have no checked luggage other than the bike. (I stuff
the case as much as I can and take carryons, or give a bag
to a travelling companion to check.) You have to be
prepared to haggle a bit.

Yes! I've done exactly the same thing. I never used to check
bags anyway. (Now I do because it's a hassle to have
security go through all my carryons).

The travel industry is very much a service industry. They
know they have to make people happy if they're going to get
them back. It's much cheaper to get a return customer than
to find a new one. People tend to fly the same routes all
the time for business and pleasure, so losing a customer is
a bigger deal than you might think. If you're not a return
customer, act like you might be.

Look at airline ticket prices, how they vary in price as
much as 400 percent for essentially the same ticket,
depending on when you buy it. So there's definately some
haggle room. Good people skills are important, though. And
they'll definately size you up, so the impression you make
is important. Don't look or act like a disorganized slob.

This is also true of hotels, BTW. I've never paid the first
price they quote. Rental cars as well.

Matt O.

trg said:

I saw in some FTA or FAA official document once that
airlines are not allowed to charge extra just because
it's a bike.

It's not the bike that they're charging for. It's because
it's an oversized piece, and it's not one of the special
oversized items. Typically, the only oversized items that
never get charged are golf clubs and skis.

If you want to sail through airports with your bike and
never get charged, get the frame coupled and fit it
within the regulation luggage size/weight (62 linear
inches, 50 lbs).

bicycleoutfitter.compage.cfmOpen ↗
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA bike.terrymorse.combike.terrymorse.comOpen ↗

Terry Morse said:

trg said:

I saw in some FTA or FAA official document once that
airlines are not allowed to charge extra just because
it's a bike.

It's not the bike that they're charging for. It's because
it's an oversized piece, and it's not one of the special
oversized items. Typically, the only oversized items that
never get charged are golf clubs and skis.

If you want to sail through airports with your bike and
never get charged, get the frame coupled and fit it
within the regulation luggage size/weight (62 linear
inches, 50 lbs).

bicycleoutfitter.compage.cfmOpen ↗

No, it IS the bike they're charging you for. There are
different regulations and prices for other oversized
luggage. They don't apply those rules to bikes. (And then
there's they fact that sometimes they try to make you sign a
damage waiver because it is a bike.)

And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my OCLV
frame, just doesn't grab me.

trg said:

And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my
OCLV frame, just doesn't grab me.

S&S couplers work fine on Calfee frames. FWIW.

--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA bike.terrymorse.combike.terrymorse.comOpen ↗

Terry Morse said:

trg said:

And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my
OCLV frame, just doesn't grab me.

S&S couplers work fine on Calfee frames. FWIW.

but S&S couplers won't stop them from *TRYING* to charge
you. just get used to saying sporting equipment. tho usually
it's enuf that the case is 62" but not always.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

David Reuteler said:

Terry Morse <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

trg said:

And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my
OCLV frame, just doesn't grab me.

S&S couplers work fine on Calfee frames. FWIW.

but S&S couplers won't stop them from *TRYING* to charge
you. just get used to saying sporting equipment. tho
usually it's enuf that the case is 62" but not always.

I thought S&S cases were under the 62" limit, which is the
whole point. I've also heard the new Ritchey/Dahon
Breakaway's case is a little bit over the limit, but likely
to squeak through anyway.

Collapsible bikes like these make a lot of sense. They
should be more popular than they are. Hopefully they'll
catch on. Even for cross country trips in the car, they'd
make transporting bikes a lot easier. Two would fit easily
in virtually all cars, and three in most. Forget the racks,
put the money into the bikes instead.

Matt O.

Matt O'Toole said:

I thought S&S cases were under the 62" limit, which is the
whole point. I've also heard the new Ritchey/Dahon
Breakaway's case is a little bit over the limit, but
likely to squeak through anyway.

they are under 62" .. but they're still bikes. some people
are under the impression that ANY bike requires a fee .. the
fact that it's not oversized is lost on them.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

Matt O'Toole said:

trg said:

My experience has been that the airlines are flexible (so
are the planes, BTW). I've managed to avoid the charge if
I have no checked luggage other than the bike. (I stuff
the case as much as I can and take carryons, or give a bag
to a travelling companion to check.) You have to be
prepared to haggle a bit.

Yes! I've done exactly the same thing. I never used to
check bags anyway. (Now I do because it's a hassle to have
security go through all my carryons).

The travel industry is very much a service industry. They
know they have to make people happy if they're going to get
them back. It's much cheaper to get a return customer than
to find a new one. People tend to fly the same routes all
the time for business and pleasure, so losing a customer is
a bigger deal than you might think. If you're not a return
customer, act like you might be.

Look at airline ticket prices, how they vary in price as
much as 400 percent for essentially the same ticket,
depending on when you buy it. So there's definately some
haggle room. Good people skills are important, though. And
they'll definately size you up, so the impression you make
is important. Don't look or act like a disorganized slob.

This is also true of hotels, BTW. I've never paid the first
price they quote. Rental cars as well.

Matt O.

Agreed. Dress "up" when travelling. You will get better
treatment at customs and at the airline counter.
Stewardesses will also be nicer. (and I ain't no 25 y/o
hottie!) It's also been my experience that what they tell
you on the phone is not what they want to charge at the
airport. I argued with Phillipines Air in San Francisco for
maybe 1/2 hour about charge vs no charge for my bike, packed
in a regular cardboard bike box. The phone person assured me
it was free passage for my bike (to Vancouver B C) the
counter person wanted $65 usd. I asked for the supervisor
and would not quit discussing the issue until she agreed to
split the difference and charge 1/2. of the $65. I accepted
the compromise. It was flight time and I wasn't leaving
without my bike. Bernie

David Reuteler said:

Matt O'Toole said:

I thought S&S cases were under the 62" limit, which is the
whole point. I've also heard the new Ritchey/Dahon
Breakaway's case is a little bit over the limit, but
likely to squeak through anyway.

they are under 62" .. but they're still bikes. some people
are under the impression that ANY bike requires a fee ..
the fact that it's not oversized is lost on them.

Eggszakery There seem to be no standards. I had my old mtn
bike taken for no charge just because I was late and the
baggage guys wanted to load. (again at SF, but this time on
American) The only thing that was "ok" was it was not too
heavy. *unless you ride it* 🙂

I had a happy also at the Vancouver end when I unpacked my
bike, tossed the cardboard in a construction dumpster and
rode home. Pleasant life! Bernie

I was riding with the club and the subject of getting bikes
on planes came up. One of the other riders gave his
solution: Disassemble the bike down so it fits into the
smallest box possible, and therefore looks as little like a
bike box as possible. If the attendant asks what's in it, he
simply replies "athletic equipment". Not a lie, and no
charge on airlines!

Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone
who has? how successful was it? what "dangers"?

- -

"May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear
for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone
who has? how successful was it? what "dangers"?

the danger is in crumpling your frame while trying to get it
into a box small enuf not to be charged for being oversized.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

Might work, but nowadays the airline clerk may want to SEE
what's in the box and security will x-ray it.

Chris Zacho The Wheelman said:

I was riding with the club and the subject of getting
bikes on planes came up. One of the other riders gave his
solution: Disassemble the bike down so it fits into the
smallest box possible, and therefore looks as little like
a bike box as possible. If the attendant asks what's in
it, he simply replies "athletic equipment". Not a lie, and
no charge on airlines!

Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone
who has? how successful was it? what "dangers"?

- -

"May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear
for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

--
Munged email address.

You could also travel with 3 friends. Two people take a
wheel each, one takes the bare frame, and the other takes
all the hardware. That way, no one actually has a bicycle
and you don't have to pay the $60.

Chris Zacho 'The Wheelman said:

I was riding with the club and the subject of getting
bikes on planes came up. One of the other riders gave his
solution: Disassemble the bike down so it fits into the
smallest box possible, and therefore looks as little like
a bike box as possible. If the attendant asks what's in
it, he simply replies "athletic equipment". Not a lie, and
no charge on airlines!

Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone
who has? how successful was it? what "dangers"?

- -

"May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear
for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

trg said:

You could also travel with 3 friends. Two people take a
wheel each, one takes the bare frame, and the other takes
all the hardware. That way, no one actually has a bicycle
and you don't have to pay the $60.

If it's still oversized luggage, you may get charged. It's
not the fact that it's a bike that invokes the charge. It's
because it's (usually) oversized.
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA bike.terrymorse.combike.terrymorse.comOpen ↗