Bike Boxes

Robberg said:

Could anyone advise on the availability of bike boxes at European airports,
particularly Frankfurt.

I had no trouble getting a bike box at the USAir desk at Frankfurt last
August. I took a night train from Hamburg (Harburg actually), got to
Frankfurt airport at about 6 AM, and flew out at about 11 AM. I think
Frankurt is very bicycle friendly for a huge airport.

When the USAir check-in opened about 9 AM, I rolled my loaded bike into the
line and, a few minute later, a USAir rep came up to me and asked if I was
planning to check my bike fully loaded <grin>. I said no, but, I had no
idea what they would require me to do. He laughed and told me to go get a
box from a desk at the far end of their section of the terminal, get my
bike unloaded and into the box, and then to find him to get checked in.

I had the foresight to have a roll of duct tape with me - carried it all
summer! - so half an hour later I had my bike boxed and my other stuff
packaged for check-in. I had no problems other than, as usual, getting a
bit dirty getting the bike packed. I finished check-in and had time to go
get a well deserved large beer before going to my departure gate.

Mark <http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/bicycling.html>

Mark Boyd said:

Robberg said:

Could anyone advise on the availability of bike boxes at European airports,
particularly Frankfurt.

I had no trouble getting a bike box at the USAir desk at Frankfurt last
August. I took a night train from Hamburg (Harburg actually), got to
Frankfurt airport at about 6 AM, and flew out at about 11 AM. I think
Frankurt is very bicycle friendly for a huge airport.

When the USAir check-in opened about 9 AM, I rolled my loaded bike into the
line and, a few minute later, a USAir rep came up to me and asked if I was
planning to check my bike fully loaded <grin>. I said no, but, I had no
idea what they would require me to do. He laughed and told me to go get a
box from a desk at the far end of their section of the terminal, get my
bike unloaded and into the box, and then to find him to get checked in.

I had the foresight to have a roll of duct tape with me - carried it all
summer! - so half an hour later I had my bike boxed and my other stuff
packaged for check-in. I had no problems other than, as usual, getting a
bit dirty getting the bike packed. I finished check-in and had time to go
get a well deserved large beer before going to my departure gate.

Mark <http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/bicycling.html>

Thanks, Mark.

Was the box big enough for a minimal breakdown (pedals off - handlebar
stem pulled out and turned sideways)? I aways stuff my tent and sleeping
bag into the box, too. Was it big enough to handle that? I'll most
likely be on Lufthansa (they fly direct from Denver - DIA), but I assume
they will be much the same (I'll ask.)

I hope to be flying in and out of Frankfurt in July.

...... Having ein große Bier after checking in sounds like a good idea, too.

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://www.CycleTourist.com
Integrity is obvious.
The lack of it is common.
*****************************

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 10:50:40 +0200, "Robberg" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Could anyone advise on the availability of bike boxes at European airports,
particularly Frankfurt.

When we picked up boxes from Frankfurt Airport in 2002, we were
charged 30 Euros/box. In our subsequent trip in 2003, we reused the
Bike Bags that were given to us on our outbound flight.

..../Mark

Chuck Anderson said:

Mark Boyd said:

Robberg said:

Could anyone advise on the availability of bike boxes at European airports,
particularly Frankfurt.

I had no trouble getting a bike box at the USAir desk at Frankfurt last

Quoted message said:

Was the box big enough for a minimal breakdown (pedals off - handlebar
stem pulled out and turned sideways)? I always stuff my tent and sleeping
bag into the box, too. Was it big enough to handle that? I'll most
likely be on Lufthansa (they fly direct from Denver - DIA), but I assume
they will be much the same (I'll ask.)

It was exactly the same box you'd get in the US. There is some variation in
box sizes provided by US airlines, but all of them I've used were big
enough for minimal breakdown. After loosing my sleeping bag on an earlier
- British Airways - flight to Europe, I don't think it is a good idea to
stuff loose items in a bike box: I suggest you strap them securely to the
rear rack. A direct flight on Lufthansa should offer minimal risk that the
box will be trasher or that your bike will be damaged.

The use of bike boxes is much less common in Europe where most bikes fly
bare or in a plastic bag. I don't know if Lufthansa will want your bike
boxed for the flight back. If they don't you may have a problem finding a
place for your tent and sleeping bag.

Mark <http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/bicycling.html>

17 Apr 2004 said:

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 10:50:40 +0200, "Robberg" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Could anyone advise on the availability of bike boxes at European airports,
particularly Frankfurt.

When we picked up boxes from Frankfurt Airport in 2002, we were
charged 30 Euros/box. In our subsequent trip in 2003, we reused the
Bike Bags that were given to us on our outbound flight.

I paid $20 for a USAir box in the US, and wasn't charged for a second,
identical, box at Frankfurt last summer. Policies, both in the US and in
Europe, on things like bike boxes seem quite unpredictable, which is why I
just rolled my loaded bike into line at Frankfurt. It is one of those go
with the flow sort of things...

Mark <http://www.cs.unca.edu/~boyd/bicycling.html>