OT: Bike as bagage

Quoted message said:

I'm flying on American Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If it's American Airlines, then even if it is Boeing, you still may not
be going:

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0%2C1249%2C595079739%2C00.html

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

kaiser said:

I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my bike with me
for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

I found the UPS cost to be about half what the airlines were charging,
though that was 4 years ago. To add insult to injury, even though my
bike was packed in an Ironcase, the airline made me sign a form waiving
their liability for damage, due to "inadequate packing."

After that experience, for the return trip I chose UPS, for half the
cost, and they insured for no extra charge up to something like $1000.

Prices may have changed, but it's definitely worth looking into if $ is
an issue.

Mark Janeba

kaiser said:

I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my bike with me
for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

You riding it right now? Want it right away when you get there? Is
there someone you can ship it to? Airlines will charge as much as they
can for bikes and they're a hassle to drag around, figure on not useing
curbside, and having to stand in a long line to get it on the plane.
Also you gotta make a connection to a regional? It may not fit.
Personally I've paid 85$ to put one on a plane (each way..) and 35$ to
ship UPS 5 day. I usually use UPS and ship it a week early, but that's
cause I'm normally snowed in up here by the time I want to fly somewhere
to ride (and if not i have the luxery of a spare..)..... Your LBS will
sometimes handle the whole bannana, if they aren't super busy. figure
40-50$ that way.

kaiser said:

I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my bike with me
for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

Oh and I don't consider my bike "baggage". I reserve that particular
term for the last girl I dragged around......

kaiser said:

I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my bike with me
for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

Here's how the pros ship their bikes
Option 1) Fly United and use free USAC vouchers - you only get a few, tho.
Option 2) Fly with bike in unmarked soft case and slip skycap a $20, wink and say "it's a trade show display" (doesn't work in San Diego, though).
Option 3) Sign up for Active Advantage and get free America West vouchers (unlimited)

I use Option 2 and 3 because I never go anywhere United likes to fly, but as bad as UPS can be on bikes, you're probably better off flying with your bike. Think about how many times your bike would be loaded and unloaded on a flight as opposed to UPS.
That being said, when moving I used FedEx ground and all my bikes got there just fine - but they were disassembled and padded like crazy.

Rule #1 - Always remove your rear derailleur from the frame (unscrew the big bolt, not the cable) - the last thing you need is a bent hanger or barrel adjuster. IT really sucks to have crappy shifting, esp. if you're in BFE France and have Shimano because some airline monkey put your case up on end.

Rule #2 - Pipe insulation is your friend

HTH
PC

google or whatever to find the name of the company, you can check your bike
through as regular baggage by putting your bike in a bag made by a company
in Salt Lake and using wheels that are already at your destination.

John Bickmore

"pedalchick" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

kaiser said:

I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my bike with me
for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

Here's how the pros ship their bikes
Option 1) Fly United and use free USAC vouchers - you only get a few,
tho.
Option 2) Fly with bike in unmarked soft case and slip skycap a $20,
wink and say "it's a trade show display" (doesn't work in San Diego,
though).
Option 3) Sign up for Active Advantage and get free America West
vouchers (unlimited)

I use Option 2 and 3 because I never go anywhere United likes to fly,
but as bad as UPS can be on bikes, you're probably better off flying
with your bike. Think about how many times your bike would be loaded
and unloaded on a flight as opposed to UPS.
That being said, when moving I used FedEx ground and all my bikes got
there just fine - but they were disassembled and padded like crazy.

Rule #1 - Always remove your rear derailleur from the frame (unscrew
the big bolt, not the cable) - the last thing you need is a bent hanger
or barrel adjuster. IT really sucks to have crappy shifting, esp. if
you're in BFE France and have Shimano because some airline monkey put
your case up on end.

Rule #2 - Pipe insulation is your friend

HTH
PC

--
pedalchick

I went the cheap [censored] route by cutting down a frame box to meet the 62
inch rule. Stored the frame in there with other items \ components. Then
stored the wheels in a wheel box that met the 62 inch rule.
Thus, the bike flew free as it counted as two items of checked baggage each
under 70 pounds and 62 inches.
Mind you, this was a nightmare packing job \ box prep.

--
--------------------------
Andre Charlebois
AGC-PC support
http://agc-pc.tripod.com
BPE, MCSE4.0, CNA, A+

"kaiser" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my bike with me
for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

Last month I traveled on Delta with my bike case and I didn't pay
anything in either direction.

-WG

In article <[email hidden]>,

pedalchick said:

kaiser Wrote: > I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my
bike with me

Quoted message said:

for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

Here's how the pros ship their bikes
Option 1) Fly United and use free USAC vouchers - you only get a few,tho.

2 per license. Buy NORBA license for $25 more and get two more vouchers.

Going to Nat's last month Delta and Frontier didn't charge for the bike
cases. United ALWAYS wants me to pay, so then I whip out the vouchers.

Quoted message said:

Rule #1 - Always remove your rear derailleur from the frame (unscrewthe big
bolt, not the cable) - the last thing you need is a bent hangeror barrel
adjuster. IT really sucks to have crappy shifting, esp. ifyou're in BFE
France and have Shimano because some airline monkey putyour case up on end.

Rule #2 - Pipe insulation is your friend

#1, #2 very important.

International travel is often free for bikes-even on United. I'll find
out day after tomorrow.

-WG

[email hidden] (kaiser) wrote in message news:<

I've been using a line i read in a previous thread to great effect. I
pack my bike up in a padded bike bag, and if i'm asked what's inside,
i say 'sports equipment'. since i started doing that, the check in
people have left it at that, and haven't charged me. otherwise it's
90$ each way on delta (international), and you have to sign a waiver
if it's damaged.

it used to be free on all intrenational flights. i once flew with a
mountian bike and a road bike, both packed in boxes, which happened to
be stuffed clothes, a floor pump, rollers, etc, as well as 2 pieces of
check in luggage, and wasn't charged. those were the days.

warren <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Last month I traveled on Delta with my bike case and I didn't pay
anything in either direction.

-WG

And people wonder why they are going under. Most airlines do
everything they can to charge you the extra $75 each way handling fee.
I have the UAL vouchers from USACycling, and even still they wanted
to hit me with a $25 overage charge since my hardcase + cross bike +
the rest of the [censored] I stuffed in there was 55 pounds (50 pound limit
for oversized stuff). I shuffled a couple things into my carry-on to
make the lady back off. All that hassle and I have Premier Exec
status with United. The industry is hurting to generate as much
revenue as it can. No more favors it seems.

-a

warren <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

pedalchick said:

kaiser Wrote: > I'm traveling across country (flying) and want to take my
bike with me

Quoted message said:

for the trip.

What should I do: Shipping ahead of time via UPS, or trying to check
the bike box at the airport? Specifically, I'm flying on American
Airlines (If it aint Boeing, I aint going).

If any of you have experience on the costs for each (and the hassles
associated with it) I'd appreciate hearing about it.

BTW, CritPro, I hear that this is how the dirty pros ship their EPO
;-)

Thanks

Here's how the pros ship their bikes
Option 1) Fly United and use free USAC vouchers - you only get a few,tho.

2 per license. Buy NORBA license for $25 more and get two more vouchers.

Going to Nat's last month Delta and Frontier didn't charge for the bike
cases. United ALWAYS wants me to pay, so then I whip out the vouchers.

Quoted message said:

Rule #1 - Always remove your rear derailleur from the frame (unscrewthe big
bolt, not the cable) - the last thing you need is a bent hangeror barrel
adjuster. IT really sucks to have crappy shifting, esp. ifyou're in BFE
France and have Shimano because some airline monkey putyour case up on end.

Rule #2 - Pipe insulation is your friend

#1, #2 very important.

International travel is often free for bikes-even on United. I'll find
out day after tomorrow.

-WG

Yep - United is free for oversees trips.

"otto" wrote

Quoted message said:

it used to be free on all intrenational flights. i once flew with a
mountian bike and a road bike, both packed in boxes, which happened to
be stuffed clothes, a floor pump, rollers, etc, as well as 2 pieces of
check in luggage, and wasn't charged. those were the days.

British airways still takes bikes for free to and from the US (different
rules on other routes), the bike is counted as one of your two pieces of
checked baggage. Size restrictions are waived, you can box the bike or just
turn the handlebars sideways and remove the pedals.
--
mark

warren <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Last month I traveled on Delta with my bike case and I didn't pay
anything in either direction.

-WG

then you were lucky. sometimes they hit you for 90$, sometimes they
just process it, and sometimes you can get away with it when they ask
what's inside, and you say 'sports equipment'. it's techincally true,
just lacks full disclosure.

"otto" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (kaiser) wrote in message news:<

I've been using a line i read in a previous thread to great effect. I
pack my bike up in a padded bike bag, and if i'm asked what's inside,
i say 'sports equipment'. since i started doing that, the check in
people have left it at that, and haven't charged me. otherwise it's
90$ each way on delta (international), and you have to sign a waiver
if it's damaged.

it used to be free on all intrenational flights. i once flew with a
mountian bike and a road bike, both packed in boxes, which happened to
be stuffed clothes, a floor pump, rollers, etc, as well as 2 pieces of
check in luggage, and wasn't charged. those were the days.

Never heard of a padded bike bag - online examples?

Kyle

In article <[email hidden]>, Andrew

Martin said:

warren <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Last month I traveled on Delta with my bike case and I didn't pay
anything in either direction.

-WG

And people wonder why they are going under. Most airlines do
everything they can to charge you the extra $75 each way handling fee.
I have the UAL vouchers from USACycling, and even still they wanted
to hit me with a $25 overage charge since my hardcase + cross bike +
the rest of the [censored] I stuffed in there was 55 pounds (50 pound limit
for oversized stuff).

About two months ago United agreed to start (officially) allowing up to
70 pounds with the USA Cycling vouchers.

-WG

[email hidden] (otto) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (kaiser) wrote in message news:<

I've been using a line i read in a previous thread to great effect. I
pack my bike up in a padded bike bag, and if i'm asked what's inside,
i say 'sports equipment'. since i started doing that, the check in
people have left it at that, and haven't charged me. otherwise it's
90$ each way on delta (international), and you have to sign a waiver
if it's damaged.

it used to be free on all intrenational flights. i once flew with a
mountian bike and a road bike, both packed in boxes, which happened to
be stuffed clothes, a floor pump, rollers, etc, as well as 2 pieces of
check in luggage, and wasn't charged. those were the days.

US airlines charge for bikes coming back from Europe. European
airlines don't, you can also skip the box. The bike counts against
you luggage allowance. Pipe insulation and removing the R. derailer,
chain(sram powerlink) and pedals will get you thru. The baggage
bashers seem to treat a unboxed bike somewhat better. Unboxed
the bike is easier to handle, anyway two trips unboxed has netted
a couple paint scratches.

Scott G.

"Kyle.B.H" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<cPZ%c.140802$9d6.44265@attbi_s54>...

Quoted message said:

"otto" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Never heard of a padded bike bag - online examples?

Kyle

got it +/- 11 years ago from performance. the padding is on the sides,
and around, on the inside. i thought it was relatively standard, but
i guess not?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Never heard of a padded bike bag - online examples?

Kyle

got it +/- 11 years ago from performance. the padding is
on the sides, and around, on the inside. i thought it
was relatively standard, but i guess not?

Standard as can be: I bought my first one over 20 years ago; but you'll
rarely see one in a LBS.

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)