Do most airlines still hammer with a fee? $50? $100?

You'll be doing well to get under $100. It's carrier dependent. Delta and United were charging $175 - $200 each way at one point - leading to the ridiculous situation, depending on where you are flying to, of your bike costing more, then for you, and you get to seat in a seat on the plane!!!

Check the small print with whoever you are going to book your travel with, on the "Bikes" section of their luggage information and get ALL the information ahead of time, before you book/pay for any tickets.

Do not support in any way your travel business, airlines that have insane bike fees. It continues to perpetuate the foolishness of it all. Do support those airline that have reasonable bike travels fees. I would say that a fee in the $50 range is reasonable. I get it that it might be a bit more work to handle a bike, so $50 seems reasonable to me, but $175 - no, that's crazy and a rip-off.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

$175 - ouch.

I could hold my nose and do $75 each way if the fare was cheap otherwise.

Might be time to check out shipping the bike separately or even bike rental, something I've never done.

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The Ride of Truth - OWN your ride.

Southwest, if they have your route. It should be free. I just flew to SLC with skis, boots, a friend'd suitcase and a carry on: no charge. That made me happy!

yes, very carrier dependant. worth also checking to see if there are extra charges if your bike is overweight (i think this is usually set at 50lbs). then weight your bike at home and make sure it's 50 or under. sometimes even a pound or two and they'll charge you the extra fee.

i was with a girlfriend who was charged something around $300 on united for the bike plus the overweight charge.

bluepoint raises an excellent point - weight. if the entire box is over 50 lbs, not only will you get slapped with the bike fee, but an overweight fee as well. I have seen people frantically pulling shoes, helmets, whatever out of their bike boxes at the airport to get under 50 lbs.

I am Global Services w/ United and even at that level, I would still get slapped with $175 each way. Freakin' insane.

I haven't done this in quite awhile (I tend to ship my bike ahead now), but I had a pretty foolproof way to get out of the fees - "Oh, is that a bike?" "No, it is a wheelchair." Agents get too flustered to ask another question, let alone ask why an obviously upright and mobile person would be transporting a wheelchair. But it almost always worked. Only got busted once.

Now, post 9-11, I dunno how wise it is to be lying about the contents of your luggage, but......

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Southwest is $50 each way.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

2 summers ago I found Fed Ex to be the cheapest way to go from Los Angeles to WI. About $65 each way.

Here's an option...

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Brian Grasky
Grasky Endurance: World Championship Triathlon Coaching; Professional Training Camps
RETUL fitter, Biomechanist, USAT Level 3 Coach, USAC Level 2 Coach

I like your style!

Looks like United is down to $100.

http://www.united.com/...cle/1,,53403,00.html

I was in that area 2 years ago, and rented a decent quality road bike (Orbea I think) from a shop in Clermont

It cost less than flying with mine and more importantly I didn't have to hassle with making sure the rental car would hold the bike case, packing & unpacking the bike, etc. I just brought my own pedals, computer, and an extra stem (rentals tend to have ridiculously short stems).

Not sure if you need a tri-bike specifically. They might rent those too. I don't recall the shop name off-hand but could look.

Not as nice as "your own" bike, but just being in nice weather, I didn't care. There are some nice routes in that area ... even with some hills (not highway overpasses!) I did a number of different 60-90 mile rides on roads without too much traffic. The shop was very helpful in pointing out some routes.

Jetblue and Southwest are pretty good options at $50/bike/flight. Always check the airline's policies on bike box size and weight before you fly, and print it out in case the agent tells you something different.

Is it? I checked before posting, did you check for something I haven't seen? This is what the sports equipment section of their travel policy says:


I read "accepted in substitution of a free piece of checked baggage at no additional charge" as no charge. Someone (can't remember the name right now, look for travel case threads here) makes 2 bags which each are under the linear 62 inches limit for bike and wheels. So, check those two and have a carry-on: free.

I paid $100 on United in September.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I agree 100% with your post Steve. Charging $175 to travel with a bike is highway robbery. We need to speak with our wallets on this one.

I have flown London Heathrow to LAX via either MSP or DTW and have NEVER been charged by Delta for the 4 or 5 times I have done it (3 times in 2010). Until flying back and checking in at LAX last week, some miserable check in lady charged me $200. It's not like a) my bike weighs a lot in fact it's well under the weight limit and b) I only had a duffel as my other checked bag, which was also well under the weight limit. I feel a strongly worded letter to Delta coming on. Delta recently put it up as it was meant to be $100 one way reduced if you were Silver/Gold/Plat etc. (I checked when I first flew my bike out). As a silver elite traveler I got no discount. It annoys me as the handlers at Heathrow if you have a 2 checked bag allowance and only check ONE and it's overweight let it slide on the fact it's only one bag.
They also now put 'bike' on the printed luggage label so everyone who sees it knows it's a bike and now even more prone to being pinched.
I now have to pay to have the privalidge of enjoying all my sports (surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, tri) in another country - this has also stopped me doing other competitions in other countries this season - I've now limited to within driving/boat distance. The airlines need to be lobbied to change this charge. I don't understand what paying $200 gets me - they still chuck my bike around.

Good news on Southwest, as I'll fly them twice this year while transporting my bike.

Alaska, JetBlue, Frontier, and AirTran all charge $50 each way. Frontier has its hub at Denver, my home airport, so that and Southwest dominate my choices. Any carrier charging more than $50 each way can go piss up a rope.

Also, it's all in the question you're asked. The people at Denver invariably ask, "Is that a bike?" I'm a terrible liar so I'm going to be honest every time. Even if I'm lucky enough to get asked "What's in the box?" I'll still probably tell the truth.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/..._reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

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"The hero is someone in continual opposition to the status quo. The hero is always becoming himself." Jos� Ortega y Gasset.

"The enthusiasm (absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit) is needed before breaking the milestone and not after." Sergio Escutia, on Lukas Verzbicas' subdued reaction to breaking 4 minutes in the mile.

I realize that every airline has it's horror stories told by passengers but day in day out Southwest is my first choice of airlines.

It's like they are one of the last sane big companies in America.

If you had to pay those ridiculous fees as GS at UA you should just become exec plat on AA instead...

As an employee of Southwest I appreciate that. Thanks for your business. Yes $50 bucks each way but your first and second checked in bags fly freeee!

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Hans Bielat
TorHans LLC Co-Founder, Owner, Chief Innovation Officer
http://www.torhans.com

 



You might not have read that too closely. Unless you are using a folding bike, you won't get below 62 inches total for your bike box.
A "regular" bike box is around 54 x 28 x 8. Well past the 62 inch limit.

That said, southwest fees for bikes are reasonable.

Yeah, no way anyone is fitting a "normal" road or tri bike in anything 62".

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Kevin you may not have read my post too closely either. A bike will not fit in one 62 linear inches bag but should fit in two of them and someone is selling bag just for that purpose.

We all agree that worst case $50 is better than $100!

Nope....even out of Chicago, United has the better routes for me....especially going to Asia.

Overall, I get excellent service as a GS at United. But there are some policies which just make me shale my head.

When I travel and need my bike, however, I just ship ahead. Cost aside, those trips inevitably include my family and trying to get 5 people, luggage and a bike into a rental car ain't worth it.

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Nice. Not going to beat the convenience of that mode of transport - well save for a bigger/faster aircraft - say like a Pilatus PC-12. Of course if you are owning/flying a PC-12, then you probably don't care what the airlines charge. Just out of curiosity, ever researched the 'legality' of securing the bikes with bungee cords as opposed to canvas cargo straps with ratcheting type tie down straps? I am thinking that getting ramp checked in that configuration may not go over well with the FAA if the inspector is having one of those days.

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¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I have ratchet tie-downs, too. Never had a problem, though I generally fly out of tiny podunk fields.

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Brian Grasky
Grasky Endurance: World Championship Triathlon Coaching; Professional Training Camps
RETUL fitter, Biomechanist, USAT Level 3 Coach, USAC Level 2 Coach

Tomorrow I will be flying to Rome with American/Alitalia with a Ruster Sports "Hen House" case. I will follow up with pricing and how it went. Hopefully saving a load of $$$$

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Patrick Davis | Rüster Sports | Production Manager

Phone: 319-610-2480
E-Mail: patrick@rustersports.com
Website: rustersports.com

Compared to when I was based in England, we really get slammed for travelling with a bike in North America. I always flew with British Airways and never paid for my bike box not once.

These ridiculous charges are one of the reasons I am looking at getting a Naked bike with S & S couplings.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

British Airways flies bikes for free. If the box is over 50lbs there is an overweight charge, but no charge if it's less than 50lbs.
I used the Aerus Biospeed soft-sided bag, came in under 40lbs even with a wetsuit and bike shoes in the bag.
Theoretically you might be able to sneak this through the other airlines without admitting it's a bike, as it's a relatively small bag, but haven't tried it yet..

Interested in a 'hen house' travel report and review. Did you pay any fees? Did the case protect your bike? Thanks!

I just booked with Westjet for YVR to LAX, I believe it's $50 each way for my bike box. Can anyone confirm this ?

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

Living in Hawaii the shipping companies are out because they charge too much since they have to fly it also. The best I have going is being active duty military. Continental charges $100.00, but they don't charge me or my family anything for all of our additional bags. Active duty gets up to three free bags for themselves and family. So in the long run the bike is only 50-75 since I don't pay anything else.

Here's a good blog about traveling with your bike from a fellow ST'er.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/...el-with-my-bike.html

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______________________________________
Rusty

When running on the street, if your gum accidentally flies out of your mouth, it's no big deal. But if you lose your gum while running on a treadmill, you're gonna have to dodge that thing like 1800 more times, depending on how many more miles you have to go. Trust me on this one.

Thanks for reminding me to follow up. Totally forgot about this thread.

I flew American Airlines out of Omaha to Chicago and then Alitalia to Fiumicino. I had one suitcase and the two Hen House cases with me. Since the frame case is so light I was able to put all of my training clothes, shoes, nutrition, a full size pump and some other stuff into that bag and have it weigh around 40lbs. I just had the wheels in the wheel bag in hopes of them letting me take them on the plane.

They did not charge me at all on American for the frame or wheel bag with having to check goth of them.

At Chicago I told them that the two bags were "together" and they only charged me for one extra bag on Alitalia. A grand total of $55 for 3 checked bags on an international flight. TOTALLY BLEW MY MIND.

Disassembly. It takes a little while and you need a little bike know-how to do it but it is totally worth it. It took me about 45 min to get mine taken apart and put into the bag the first time but that is because I had to cut all the foam to fit and figure everything out.

Carrying it is not a problem since it is pretty light. I ended up having to carry it about 2 miles since I got lost right away in Rome, but if you are just going from the airport to your car or something you will be fine.

Nothing on the bike got bent, scratched or broken even with all the extra stuff I packed into it.

I am very happy with the $$$$ I saved traveling and how well it was protected even on an international flight. I would definitely recommend it.

Currently sitting waiting to board my China Airlines flight from Vancouver to Sydney via Taipei and for the gazillionth time have not been charged for my bike( packaged in a cardboard box that I got from the dumpster at the Bike Barn in Penticton last week)

Air Canada charged $50 to get it here from Penticton!!!

.

what are the shipping companies (UPS/FEDX) getting to move bikes? I've got a long weekend camp coming up in tucson, and I need to get 3-4 bikes out there(the group needs to) from boston

In my experience, $70-ish depending on how far it is going (when shipped in a normal cardboard bike box). If you have a corporate account, I believe it will be less.

Here is my experience I have given up flying wit the bike...I ship it via fed-ex/UPS. Given training schedule you may not even miss a day in the saddle. It is about the same price but no hassle lugging a bike through airport or getting it there, it shows up at your destination. Depending on where you ship from (Fed Ex depot UPS store), it might even be considerably cheaper; several times coming back from DC Fed ex charged $35 for 2 day service. Just my 2 cents

perhaps it is time we hardened up and ride our bikes to out destination?

ok hawaii may be a problem

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

LOL, except if you are going a long way... I had quotes for shipping our bikes back to Vancouver from Auckland post-IMNZ, UPS and FedEx were close to $1200, and NZPost was $650. No thanks. AirNZ has never charged me for a bike, I'm going to get dinged on the hop to/from YVR to LAX, oh well, should be $150 per. But agreed - if staying in NA, shipping is the easiest.

I am very keen on this hen house case!

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

I ship it via fed-ex/UPS.

Not an option if you are crossing an "International" border - like Canada/US. Both US and Canada Customs seem to want take there little share of this and the price goes through the roof. They always think that you are up to something and trying to pull a fast one on them so nothing that crosses the border is "owned goods". They always think there is some form of transaction involved - so you get hit with all kinds of extraordinary charges, brokerage fees, duties and taxes. Or stuff get's held up in customs for days . . on a express shipment, for some minor reason or another.

I love the way the politicians go on and on about the Canada/US border that it's this border between two great friends and that it's the longest undefended border on the planet. Well it's all friendship and fun, until you try and ship something across it!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

UPS consistently charges the highest customs fees. USPS to a border town is always cheaper. UPS will charge $50-$100 for the customs; if I do it myself, it's often $5.

Edit: if you do ship across the border, because you physically can't cross the border (say you live in Penticton or Calgary) ship to an airport (port of entry) and clear customs yourself - again way cheaper.

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

Good point...i have never tried to get the ride out of the US...

Here is what I don't understand, last time i checked a thule case was rather flat and symmetrical making it easy to fit in the cargo hold and place other things around/on top of...golf clubs not so much, they weigh about the same but the clubs are more awkard to pack around...why no fee for clubs?

perhaps it is time we hardened up and ride our bikes to out destination?

Wait you don't already do that? I do, except for the quick turn around trips...doesn't everyone?

You can secure your bikes with whatever you want. You could use duct tape or string if you felt like it. The FAR's don't specify what you have to use for part 91 flights. It just has to be "secured" Tell the fed to take a hike if he doesn't like it. :-)

Here is what I don't understand, last time i checked a thule case was rather flat and symmetrical making it easy to fit in the cargo hold and place other things around/on top of...golf clubs not so much, they weigh about the same but the clubs are more awkard to pack around...why no fee for clubs?

Great point.

I get it that a bike case may be a bit more awkward than some normal piece of luggage, so I don't mind paying a bit of a fee - say $50. No problem. But is it $100 - $150 more awkward?

Ditto with the golf clubs - I think that some airlines have started to charge for clubs, but I am guessing that it's often waived because they don't want a stink raised and competition being what it is in the airline business these days, and the many people that do travel with clubs, the airlines would want to retain that business. People traveling with bikes, is actually a very small number.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Just flew on US Airways from Vancouver, BC to Costa Rica with the big Performance Bike hard-shell case. When I bought my ticket a month ago, US Airways's site said $150 per bike case. Now it says $200 !?! I believe they changed their fees in the beginning of February.
If they had tried to charge me $200, I was ready to argue that when I bought the ticket the fee was just $150, but they actually charged me only $100. I guess I got lucky! ... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the flight back home ... :o)

I'm about to start making my 3rd custom bike case...pretty excited. I'm gonna get it under 62" this time. bwahaha

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...........................................................................
:: I came, I saw, I conquered. then I ran out of money, crashed into a car during an Ironman, and now work a bad-ass job making prosthetic legs for wounded warriors. ::

the blog: My So-Called Civilian Life :: theWongstar.com :: follow me @theWongstar

Where are the DIY instructions?!

Well the secret is to split the bike into two (supercute!) boxes. Both under 62 linear inches.



Box #1 = frame only. It's a parallelogram shape and you have to take the fork off. I ride a 54cm frame.



Box #2 = wheels only.

For domestic races, I'll ship my race wheels ahead of time to my homestay, hotel, or local bike shop. Then I fly with the frame...train with the training wheels up until departure, no training time lost! International races, I fly with both, throw my clothes in the carry-on or backpack, everything else in the 2 boxes--you just have to make sure that both are under 50lbs which is pretty easy peasy. With all my gear, the frame box is still under 40lbs:



Boxes are made out of cardboard bike boxes, colored duct tape and cute stickers/fabric/etc. The frame box opens up like a pizza box so the walls are essentially double reinforced. Straps are big 2" nylon ones with plastic buckles. Always decorate the boxes with super cutesy stickers or graphics and never never never admit that it's a bike! I like to tell them that I have paintings in there. I am never dressed as a triathlete at the airport and keep my helmet hidden inside my backpack or carry-on.



Also make removable wheels out of caster wheels at Lowe's/Home Depot and velcro. This greatly helps when wheeling your crap through airports, but I always take off the wheels before checking the box(es) in because they get banged up. Velcro, duct tape, & cardboard are the key here. Staple gun and glue gun are excellent sidekicks.

I realized after the fact, that splitting the frame and wheels is the same idea as the Hen House softbags...except in sturdier reinforced cardboard boxes. One could argue that you could still throw the race wheels in a softcase and take them on the plane. I haven't done it, I still feel like it screams "I'm traveling with a bicycle because what else could these be but wheels???"

Besides, half the fun of flying your bike for free is MacGyvering your own box! Oh yeah and when checking in the frame box, make sure to orient it so that it's sitting on the longest dimension. The 4 sides are all different lengths but it looks bigger or smaller depending on which side it's sitting on. Sneaky sneaky!

And no, I don't ever get charged for traveling with my bike.

xox
Wongstar

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...........................................................................
:: I came, I saw, I conquered. then I ran out of money, crashed into a car during an Ironman, and now work a bad-ass job making prosthetic legs for wounded warriors. ::

the blog: My So-Called Civilian Life :: theWongstar.com :: follow me @theWongstar

brilliant...awesomeness!!

Couple of things...

I generally prefer the padding of the Hen House, as well as it does have reinforced areas.

Most airlines only care about the 62 linear inches and if they are going to hassle you over a bike that fits in less space, you probably want to choose another airline.

Biggest concern, especially these days since you are no longer allowed to lock luggage, etc., is the amount of theft and lost/damaged luggage has NEVER been higher. While you may save a few bucks by declaring your bike paintings, wait until it goes lost or is damaged and you need to file a claim. Given that most airlines have limited pay-outs on lost luggage value I would rather be dealing with a claim where it was known up front that it was a carbon fiber bike, then have them say, sorry you said it was paintings, please show us the receipts.

Also a good idea to take pictures of your bike as it is packed, with inventory of parts.

I like the Hen House a lot (haven't seen it in person). I however don't fly enough to justify the $500 price! I am looking at a couple races, flying on Alaska, over this year. Checking in a bike is $70 each way ($20 + $50 oversize fee). Checking a Hen House (or the cardboard equivalent of it as seen above) is $40 ($20 + $20). So at a saving of $60 roundtrip.... that's a lot of races to fly to before the Hen House pays for itself... and that's assuming bike fees stay the same; they have come down lately.

Now at $300, like most bike cases... I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

I like the cardboard Hen House! Definitely cute. Where do you source your cardboard? :)

Wongstar, cute stickers are great for you females. But what are us macho males to do? Most of us would rather die, not to mention pay extra $$, to maintain our masculinity! ;)

So what stickers/graphics can we apply to our boxes that are still stealth, but scream masculinity?
We could say we are an MMA fighter and it's our fight gear!

I've never brought my bike on a plane but, I've heard you have a better chance of avoiding fees if you pay for your checked bags online and then do curbside check-in. Maybe give them a nice tip before they actually check them in.

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Check out my sad excuse for a blog:
http://brianstriblog.blogspot.com/

Wongstar you are my hero

Depends. US Air I think actually went up and is now $200 a flight. I generally only fly Jet Blue, SouthWest or Alaska Air domestically, Air Canada for trips to the Great White North and either Air France, British Airways for International.

I refuse to fly Delta, American has gone down hill, and have generally had bad luck or dislike the service of other airlines.

But to your point, it depends on what you fly and where the race is. I think I am prob in the same place as you where if the airlines I like don't fly there, I generally won't go there. So where Alaska and Air Canada are probably two of the best in the business at their fees, if you fly United, US Air or Delta, then it adds up quickly.

Its definitely pricely, but by that same token, how much is your bike worth? You willing to throw a Shiv, P4 or Speed Concept in a cardboard box and then try and make an insurance claim if there is any damage??? My current case is one of those huge Xport Cargo Cases which I now think are made by Thule or were a Performance Bike knockoff of the Thule. Hard plastic, padded inside, and I had issues where I got chips on my frame because box was opened and inspected and not repacked properly. UPS insurance came out, inspected and did not cover it. Just saying if you can run into issues with a hard case, I can't even imagine what a claim would be like trying to file an insurance claim on a $5000 bike and wheels packed in a make shift cardboard box.

The cases are expensive. Then again a Zipp Wheel bag, or any padded wheel bag is $100 (I got mine used off of eBay for around $65) and it is not nearly as padded or with hard plastic like the Hen House. So the way I see it, you are paying around $150 for a padded and Hard plastic wheel bag, and $325 for the bike case and then $25 for the straps, insulation, rear skewer, etc.

It is definitely marketed more towards the folks that are looking for a hard case I think, which will get the airline fees, etc.

I don't have one. I like them a lot. I am still debating though. If I can get a decent amount for my Xport Hard Case, I can almost justify it because I travel a lot with my bike in my back seat, and would rather have this bag sitting back there, then advertising my bike. With the amount of disassembly, it would also fit in my trunk, padded and protected.

Agreed as well, at $300 I would have my Xport and Zipp bag gone and be in the Hen House for sure.

Dunno. Maybe it is because I have done so much traveling with windsurfing equipment where my first day in Hawaii is generally playing around with fiberglass resin touching up the dings, and that was when shipped in padded plastic hard cases too. I just see standing in front of an insurance claim adjuster, with a taped up cardboard box and a $4000 bike and $2000 wheels and having them then raise the eyebrow, and say... So you put $6000 worth of carbon fiber equipment in $30 worth of cardboard and bubble wrap and you think it was adequately protected? Really???

I think it comes down to how much does it pay for itself over the course of flying, as well as it could pay for itself in one flight in the damage that it saves.

I always seem to get hit with $120 each way for the bike box on USAir. I don't like it, but then no one sez I have to do Tris either. Tim

How do bike manufacturers ship bike frames to bike shops all over the world?

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I just checked Frontier and it seems they will call it a regular bag, meaning $20 each way, or free if you upgrade into their better seat class, which looks exceptional. Anyone with knowledge of this? Thanks.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

Replying to no one in particular...

This past weekend I flew Frontier from LAX to Madison, WI, connecting through Denver. They weighed the bike in LAX, 54lb. I was expecting a fee because I had read on their site that > 50lb = a $50 fee, and was prepared to open the box up and find the 4lb :-), but they didn't charge me.

In Madison they didn't weigh the bike, but it was actually lighter (no drink powder). I use a hard, clamshell style case and don't put extra stuff in the box. I put my helmet, bike/run shoes, pedals, running/cycling kits in my carry-on. I figure I can always miracle a bicycle only vs having to also sort out lost shoes, helmet, etc.

Overall, a very good experience, everything as expected and advertised.
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Rich Strauss
Endurance Nation Ironman 2013 and 2014 World Champion TriClub, Div I
Create a FREE 7-day trial membership

EXACTLY CLM!!!

the question of where do I source my cardboard--from the bike shop. It's made from Cervelo bike boxes that they came shipped in. Damage free. Don't underestimate the durability and protection of cardboard bike boxes. It's not some flimsy cardboard--probably 3/8" thick and the walls that are doubled would then be 3/4" thick. Add the duct tape, Winnie the Pooh fabric, and clear vinyl for waterproofing (I butchered my mom's old vinyl tablecloth) and it's like a cardboard box on steroids.

There's also padding inside, along with those pipe insulation things for the frame, and everything is packed really tightly and zip-tied together so there's no rattling. I know the first photo of just the frame in the box doesn't show it, but that was the first photo I took just to make sure the frame actually fit. There are actually straps and buckles that secure the frame to the box too, on another of padding. If nothing moves and everything's padded, it doesn't get damaged. Plus it's hard to steal things when everything is zip-tied together.

I fly a lot. 6-8 races per year the last few years, plus some trips home (can't go anywhere without my bike!) and to training camps--so maybe 10-15 round trips per year back when I was traveling more with teamTBB and the bikes haven't been damaged or stolen. To each their own but yes... I do trust my $6000 or whatever worth of carbon fiber is adequately protected by cardboard, duct tape, bubble wrap, foam, bike shoes, and running shoes. I used to have a big plastic hardshell case too once upon a time, but it was a bear to haul around the airport in addition to always being charged crazy amounts for it.

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...........................................................................
:: I came, I saw, I conquered. then I ran out of money, crashed into a car during an Ironman, and now work a bad-ass job making prosthetic legs for wounded warriors. ::

the blog: My So-Called Civilian Life :: theWongstar.com :: follow me @theWongstar

Without looking at the box in my garage, I would venture to guess it is over 62" linear inches. Care to guess? Bike is also generally shipped insured and declared as a "bike" and has a lot of space/support around the frame.

Take a look at Wongsters "Pizza Box" and how much spacing is between the box and the frame, as well as the padding, or lack there of.

So when Specialized or the LBS who ships a bike to me... if the box arrives and looks like it was thrown off the back of the truck, easy claim, as well as it is known the value of the bike, etc.. Go back to the airline, with limited coverage who was told it was "paintings"

Sorry I missed this. My wife upgraded my ticket when she bought my ticket for Madison. I was in the first 3 rows (had the same exact seat for all 4 flights), lots of legroom, DirecTV was free for me (normal charge is $6). Frontier has no free snacks but soda, coffee, water, etc is free. The bike flew free both ways and they offered to also check my carry-on for the return flight, for free, as it was a very full flight. I said no thanks, for fear of them losing my bike/running shoes, etc.

I'm racing IMWI and will fly Frontier to/from the race with my wife = bike is free. I'll still put all of my racey-racey stuff in my carryon, including wetsuit.

Cardboard boxes: every year I do a Tour of California training camp, with campers shipping their bikes to me in LA, I assemble and meet them up in Sacramento or SFO, depending on the start location. One year a couple used cardboard boxes and it looked like UPS put a forklift directly through both boxes, seriously jacked them up. For the last two camps that same couple has shipped in nice Thule cases.

If I had had a shakey experience with Frontier, my plan for WI would be to ship the bike out via FedEx 3-day using my hookup with Wheelbuilder -- they ship for me on their account, I pay them. You can do similar if you have a friend with a commercial account, business, etc. At the same time I'd hook up a FedEx ground return label, carry it with me to Madison, and drop the bike box off at the FedEx on Washington in Madison, or can specify your hotel as the pick up point and FedEx will pick it up for you. I've done this for several camps over the years. Probably nets out, for me, about $100-150 less then TBT and I don't have to ship my bike out until Monday or Tues of race week. Packing/assembling the bike is a non-issue for me, but if I needed a quick tune I'd take it to Machinery Row by the swim start. Excellent work.

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Rich Strauss
Endurance Nation Ironman 2013 and 2014 World Champion TriClub, Div I
Create a FREE 7-day trial membership

Bike shops. I have asked and always received bike boxes for free.

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-- Aaron Davidson

That works against you. For Abu Dhabi I used Toy Story wrapping paper. I went single box since it was an international flight I could carry a bit more. Still came to maybe 30lbs total with bike.

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-- Aaron Davidson

I think a lot of it is how you present yourself at airline. I, like many others, use an Aerus Biospeed bag. I carry it on my shoulder up to the agent and make it appear as light as possible. I dress professionally and when they ask me what's in the bag I say "scientific equipment". They usually start to pat it down and I joke "oh, don't worry, my boss makes me travel with this all the time. It's packed well." I try to stop them before they feel the wheels. I also cover the wheels with black cloth in case they look inside. One time I had someone press me about what type of scientific equipment and I replied "oh, you know...aerodynamic testing. Have you heard of carbon fiber?" (counter agent says no) "oh, it's the latest thing..."

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rch_string=;#3249303

Me too. But my bike shops has plain cardboard boxes. Hers are everything but. I was wondering it it was just a glued cover or part of the cardboard itself.

I would totally rock her box. I think those graphics also are great, in case some day some agent decides that a bicycle in two bags is still a bicycle subject to a fee, as unlikely as I think this is.

Wongstar, just curious on the cost of shipping wheels to the race and back again, versus a $50 fee for a bike each way on South West.
Thx.
Pantani :)

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Robbie
http://www.instagram.com/trisutto

hey Pantani, depending how far the race wheels need to go, it's usually only $15-$20 each way on Fedex, with insurance. That's with the discount you get for opening an online account with them...for free. Race wheels aren't very heavy, ya know ;) Plus you save the hassle of lugging a big box around the airport.

as for more masculine stickers...how about Curious George? Everybody loves a cute cartoon monkey! Or you could always go Lightning McQueen from the Cars movies :)

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...........................................................................
:: I came, I saw, I conquered. then I ran out of money, crashed into a car during an Ironman, and now work a bad-ass job making prosthetic legs for wounded warriors. ::

the blog: My So-Called Civilian Life :: theWongstar.com :: follow me @theWongstar

So you make the best cardboard Hen Houses around, are driven AND are sponsored by a liquor company? Will you marry me? (Sorry R10C, I asked first.)

in case some day some agent decides that a bicycle in two bags is still a bicycle subject to a fee, as unlikely as I think this is.[/quote]------------------------------------
this happened to me by a delta check-in woman last year. her reasoning was faulty, but she went ahead and undid my prepaid baggage tickets, to charge me for a bike, when both of my bags were under the standard size. then her computer wouldn't do the deed, she stalled, her co-workers looked on with looks that said she was doing the wrong thing. i asked for a print-out of the bike policy, and then she disappeared to get that------and my two hours of pre-boarding time was dwindling down to nothing. a co-worker finally said he'd run the print-out up to the gate and meet me there.
so-----i was unable to even approach justice due to her managing to run out the clock. it was a really, really sour experience.
peggy

Maui5150 wrote:

Biggest concern, especially these days since you are no longer allowed to lock luggage, etc., is the amount of theft and lost/damaged luggage has NEVER been higher.

Do you have any evidence of this, links etc. or is this anecdotal?

I have flown somewhere around 1,000,000 miles and never had a single problem. I have nicer luggage (in construction) so that may be part of it. I have only flown with my bike once and that was overseas, from JFK to Instabul to Abu Dhabi and back.

The only personal stories I can share is luggage that gets misplaced and shows up late. I also know someone that had the TSA take something or believes the TSA did.

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-- Aaron Davidson

Guess you have not been paying attention:

http://infoluggage.com/...se-for-lost-luggage/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/...linsurance.insurance

http://www.usatoday.com/...lost-bags-usat_x.htm

http://blog.irvsluggage.com/...e-increases-in-2010/

http://www.smartertravel.com/...-bag.html?id=4300633

Every year it gets worse and worse.

And these:

http://www.upi.com/.../UPI-81441311623217/

http://www.khon2.com/...X-EqAEw28oh9hxw.cspx

http://hotair.com/...-nationwide-problem/


just for a FEW examples.

Just got back from SanFrancisco with the bikes. We flew Air Canada going down, got charged $100 for each bike. Came home with WestJet, got charged $21 for each bike, just the standard extra piece of luggage fee.

Leaving Canada they simply x-rayed the boxes, coming home they were opened and searched and swabbed, but we were allowed to watch as she did this. She was careful and had obviously done this to many bike boxes before. When she was done I handed her the locks and she locked everything back up.

Wow, thanks for the links, I have not been paying attentio, but then I've never lost anything.

I thought I would chip in here with a post, but got delayed because I was, err, flying. I'm Wongstars travel sponsor and mentor for flying with bikes. I've flown on more than 100 flights with a bike, but don't these days much since I can't stand the stress anymore of wondering what will be there when I get to my race desitination. Plus there are loads more options like http://www.triteamtransport.com/ and since I've moved to Austin, loads of local races and even more next year with the added High Five events and the HITS series.

There are Airline policies, there are Airline staff, some implement policy, some don't, and some make it up as they go along.

Over the years I've had:

• Wrecked rear derailluer in a Scion MK1 hardshell box after watching it get pushed out of the front storage on a 737 and falling 75ft to the floor
• Broken rear frame even with a spacer, when shipped in a cardboard bike box
• Had my bike sit in LAX for 3-days and only arriving in Edmonton 12hrs before the 2001 ITU Worlds
• Stood and waited for the TSA inspection for 2-hours at MIA, when transferring between flights from London to Tampa, eventually I got the AA Station Supervisor to go talk to the TSA and the flight was delayed as I wouldn't board without the bike
• Had a massive blow-up with AA at Austin Bergstrom after they wanted to charge for an empty bike box as if it was a bike; I used to keep a training bike in St Pete, FL and after eventually being able to check the empty box for free, got to St Pete, packed the bike and travelled back with it for free as checked bags without question, go figure.

Mostly, if you use non-standard luggage, cardboard or otherwise, you SHOULD be asked to sign an airline limited release form. This, they believe, limits their liability in the event of loss or damage. If you are travelling with a bike and depending only on the airlines insurance, you are generally SOL no matter what you tell them is in the package, $2k bike or $50 art supplies. At the point you check your bike in, they don't keep a note of what you tell them, and if they ask you to sign a limited release form, it doesn't say whats in the package.


Over the years I used to post all sorts of comments, pictures and updates to my blog, but I have less time these days. Here was something I wrote last year that you might find useful, most of the tips seem to be covered here anyway http://triman.livejournal.com/234767.html

and here are some other blog entries http://triman.livejournal.com/tag/flyingwithbikes

and here is my Scion box packed from back in the day.
http://pics.livejournal.com/triman/pic/00030bkb
I'm going to have to get back into it again as I've entered Challenge Roth in Germany and am working on getting Wongstar to come race as well...

Alright... I'm building my own cardboard house for my bike. So I have a few questions for you:

- Why shape the boxes? From what I understand about linear inches, the airline, if they measured, would measure the bounding box of the shape (i.e. the smallest rectangular box that encloses the shaped box). And a rectangular box would give more room for padding/other items.

- If I am wrong about linear inches, I'd love to know!

- How did you make the wheels work? I have an 8" wide bike box here to play with... The wheels fit in 28 x 28, but I can't stack them down to 6" (they stack to 9"). What did you do?

- I read on travel sites that United has a 55 linear inches limit on the second checked bag but can't find it on United's page. I hope so, because I don't know how to make a 28" diameter wheel fit into a 55 linear inches box. Edit: It is Air France policy apparently. I'd assume more companies will get there over time. Others (AirTran) have a 61" limit.

Thanks a lot!