Thanks Rappstar! I actually had very good results with US Air even comping my bike to non-Ironman races as well. And they were a surprise, as they were more accommodating than most airlines I've flown the last few years. I'd put them above "Okay".

Frontier... 50 for a bike 15 for first bag 25 for second bag.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

I flew Delta to St. Anthony's from Boston and having read some other horror stories, I got a first class ticket (for less than $100 more than the coach fare) and there was NO CHARGE.
They did ask if my ironcase was oversized and I said NO.

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cat
Sponsored by Suntheanine, Lycored and Celadrin
http://www.lycored.com/web/content/library.asp http://suntheanine.com/Research.cfm http://celadrin.com/pages/studies.php

delta charged me $175 each way to fly my bike last month when i went to columbia, MD. it may take 5 working days but i was told fedex ground would be much less.

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_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Michael in Fresno
"Do you spend time with your family? Good. Because a man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" V. Corleone

I have taken three trips on United in the last couple of months. In each case I used my BikePro double sized bike bag.

1. SFO to San Antonio, TX - one bike in the double bag. $125 outbound, $175 coming back

2. SFO - Boise, ID - two bikes in the double bag. $125 outbound, and $300 back! (Bike fee plus overweight fee on the return.)

3. SFO - Louisville, KY - one bike out, two bikes back. $175 out, and FREE back. Second straight year that Louisville United did not ding me for my bike.

The $125 price is the price you get on the automated kiosk. They don't have it set up for bikes, but that is the oversized bag or something like that. I tried that in Boise on the way back, but the counter guy said that wasn't correct (he's right) and went totally by the book. It probably didn't help that we came home TWO days after the 70.3 and were after the rush of bikes. i.e. United had it down by then.

Conversely, in Louisville in each case I split from Master's nationals after the TT and Road Race, but before the crit so I may have missed the rush and maybe they will catch on in the next few days.

So, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!

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Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
My Strava

Congrats on the podium @ Nats!!

Have you tried checking in curbside @ SFO? I wonder if I can fit the track bike into a large regular suitcase?

What about internationally? Anyone flow US to OZ lately with a bike?

clm

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

Link to coupon?

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...
Run like you stole something
Formerly Fueled by ZYM

Thanks. Wrong step though...

I haven't tried curbside in a number of years. Last year to Louisville was a boon for me though as United SFO also let my bike on for free along with United SDF doing the same on the return. It seems totally random.

My wife and I went to Europe in 2007 for the Wiesbaden 70.3 and masters worlds with four bikes in two double bike boxes. And a wheel case. We spent close to $1k in excess baggage since we flew to Frankfurt for the triathlon and then to Innsbruck in separate legs and did the same on the return. The worst was the trips in Europe. You just pay per kilo and we had a lot of crap.

Wonderful trip though.

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Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
My Strava

USAirways is $100 each way.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

Northwest is $175 each way.

Sharon

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Festina Lente

i did airtran LAX-baltimore and back for eagleman last month. my bike (soft, smallish bag) was my only checked bag, weighed under 40 pounds. both coming and going i paid $79 for oversize. no chatter about it being a bike (same fee, anyway).
peggy
p.s. i'm thrilled to see this thread. thanks.

Continental is $100 each way.

Frontier: Upgraded ticket costs $25 each way, gives you two free checked bags, directv, and choice of seat at booking time.

British Airways is free internationally.

Here's a good sight with some fees.
http://www.ibike.org/...t/travel/bagregs.htm

The most recent increase in bike fees is seriously silly. We {athletes, members of USAT, USAC, etc} should start making noise about this, and voting with our $. Our governing bodies should make some noise; if we can't get to races, they lose too. Eventually, the airlines will listen.

British Airways were going to start charging to travel with bikes in November of last year but it didn't come in. Transatlantic you can have two bags of up 32kgs free and the bike goes free on all BA flights too!
Sporting equipment we carry

Only one travel case of equipment is permitted at no extra cost except where we state otherwise in the relevant section below.

Select one of the categories to view the allowance for each sport. [/url] Angling Rod case Travel bag Accepted travel cases:
Recognised angling rod case or bag. Equipment accepted:
Rods and reels contained in a case and one bag with fishing tackle, landing net and fishing boots. Close [/url] Archery Bow case Archery wheelie case Accepted travel cases:
Standard bow and arrow case. Equipment accepted:
One bow, one quiver and arrows. Close [/url] Cricket Team coffin Soft team coffin Accepted travel cases:
Recognised cricket coffins or team bags. Equipment accepted:
Bats, wickets, pads and balls. Close [/url] Cycling Compact bag for dismantled bicycle Folding bicycle bag Hard-shell bicycle case Accepted travel cases:
Recognised bicycle bag.
We will accept all single bicycle bags as illustrated, but these may be subject to additional fees. Equipment accepted:
One non-motorised bicycle.
Preparing bicycles for travel:

• Bicycle pedals must be removed (or fixed inwards).
• Handlebars must be fixed sideways.
• The bicycle must be contained in a protective case or bag.
• You may wish to deflate the tyres to reduce risk of damage.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

Mexicana-FREE!

Just register with the Mexican Athletic Federation before you get on the plane and print out your 1 year membership ($40) and your bike goes for free both ways

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"Fear is what drives you in the last part of a marathon in an Ironman. The body is depleted and the mind is fuzzy. Short course racing is driven by power and finese at the end of a race, Ironman demands so much more and is driven by will and mental strength." Chris McCormack

10/28/08 Dev Paul had 400w FTP!!!

I had a very bad result from AA. I am an Executive Platinum with 2 million miles. They charged me $100 each way. I would not have cared if the exec platinum desk had not told me on the phone as long as the case was less than 50 pounds I would not be charged.

I could have traveled SWA, better flight times and little cheaper ticket and only been charged, I think, $50.

More confusion. Seems likes most airlines have no idea what there own policies are and they vary between airports.

This spring

Vancouver to Amsterdam (Air Transat): $30
Amsterdam to Lanzarote (KLM): 100 Euros
Lanzarote to Amsterdam (KLM): 50 Euros
Amsterdam to Vancouver (Air Transat): 20 Euros

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===============
Proud member of the MSF (Maple Syrup Mafia)

>> I flew Delta to St. Anthony's from Boston and having read some other horror stories, I got a first class ticket (for less than $100 more than the coach fare) and there was NO CHARGE.
They did ask if my ironcase was oversized and I said NO.


I've often found that the cost to upgrade to first class was less then the cost of paying for my bike, and the bike then flies for free. But on a Delta flight last month, I flew first class and they still charged me $100 each way.

scott

The US Airways coupon is good for the bike as your 2nd bag. If you check 2 bags and a bike, they might charge you for the bike.

And if you book through an IM page, you still get the coupon for travel, even if you are going to a location no where near an IM race.

JetBlue special for July. No bike fees for travel during July to celebrate TdF...if only it were permanent!

http://tinyurl.com/kjjkyv

Virgin Atlantic were great, for all trans-atlantic flights: I believe this is in addition to your regular baggage allowance (also 32kg) as well.

Non-motorised bicycles including tandems, in protective box or bag can be carried in addition to your free baggage allowance and at no extra charge.

Please note your bicycle must not exceed 32Kg in weight.

Please ensure:

• Tyres are partially deflated to reduce the risk of damage.
• Handlebars must be turned in line with the cross bar
• Any attachments must be removed, including pedals.
• Gearing systems should be well protected.

VAA do not provide bicycle boxes. If required these may be obtained from bicycle shops.

Please note cosmetic damage (paint chips) will not be considered for compensation and it is recommended that you protect the frame with bubble wrap or similar material. VAA strongly recommends separate insurance is taken out.

BA top the VAA sllowance as trans atlantic flights are 2 bags, each having a maximum of 32kg! The free bike is in addition to not instead of!

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

I don't know if I own that many things, but wow that is a lot of luggage.

Why is that a bad result? There are countless threads on ST about being overweight.

And on American, if you pay the fee, you get 70 pounds.

It should be:

NOT GOOD
United
Continental
American Airlines

THE WORST (Try not to fly)
Delta
Northwest

Delta and Northwest will charge up to $300 per flight before any overweight fees kick in. They are truly in a class of their own.

Also, you should list weight limitations. Many on ST do not understand overweight limitations and the additional fees that being overweight will generate.

So odd considering that the surfing community has called for a boycott of BA because they have a complete BAN on surfboards. A surfboard in a board bag weighs probably 10lbs.

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My business-eBodyboarding.com

I called the Platinum desk and was told to stay under 50 lbs and a size my case was less than. I think it might have been 115 inches but I don't remember the measurement now. I followed the rules explained to me. I should have had it noted on my record. I am usually careful like that but did not in this case.

Staying under the weight was really not difficult. As an executive platinum they don't charge me for extra bags. The size measurement is what triggered the $100 charge each way.

When I got home I looked up the policy online and it states less than 62 inches to avoid a charge which my case was not. So they did charge me as stated on the web.

What bothered me is they told me wrong on the phone and did not honor. What bothered me more is I have am a life time platinum with the 2 million miles and did not honor what they stated. She also looked at the case and said it was no way under 50 pounds. I told her that it was and she said no way. In my opinion calling me a lier. I then insisted that she weigh it and it was something like 47 pounds.

I just found it to be a very unpleasant experience. My company does business all over the world so I have to travel a lot and I therefore fly One World airlines. Don't have too much choice. But boy I wish I could never travel AA again in my life.

For family travel we always fly AA because I have so many frequent flyer miles. So I really dislike AA but fly them 99% of the time :(

Jordan,

Great thread and great information.

Triathletes and cyclists should start to vote with their $$$$. It's the only way that messages ever really get across these days to large companies like the airlines. Letters, emails, whining, complaining and harassing at check in do nothing. Vote with your pocket book.

Yes you may pay a bit more up front and you might have to go off the first page of Expedia, or Hotwire or whatever source you use to get your tickets, but you will save in the end and collectively, the airlines may start to get the message that the fees that some of them charge for bikes is absurd. I support a reasonable additional fee for a bike and the $50 that some airlines charge is reasonable, but when some airlines are charging more to put the bike in the hold than for you to sit on a seat in the plane, then that is ridiculous.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Alaska/Horizon - $50
Replacement of broken disk wheel and aero bar rest: $1,000

Ironman bikes confirmed no damage when they packed it in Boise, and the bike shop found no note from TSA or damage to the bike box. The damage could only have happened by someone who opened the box and repacked it poorly.

Worse, Alaska/Horizon rejected my insurance claim because it was not submitted within 24 hours. My mistake was taking the box home, then to my bike shop for reassembly (who found the damage).

Make sure you unpack and inspect your bike upon arrival in the airport or you will find the box fee a pittance compared to replacing your bike!

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________________________________
In consideration of others, please refrain from talking.
http://www.prepfortraining.com � http://www.tnstraining.com

What I don't understand is why people don't pack their own bikes? It is not rocket science. Sadly most triathletes don't spend the time to learn the most basic of bike maintenance.

____


Do people with Hockey or Golf equipment get charged as much as bikes?

I can only guess that it's because of the size and fragility, as suggested at their site. At least they offer an alternative with BA world cargo.

http://www.britishairways.com/...agsport/public/en_gb

Since I have my flight booked with them, I'll boycott from late August ;-)

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

United should be moved to "WORST" - it's $175 each way, without the 2nd baggage fee.

http://www.united.com/...034,00.html#oversize

thanks for posting, good to know

We do pack our own bikes....then TSA unpacks them and wont let us help repack them. Then, you cant blame them or charge them for damage. Maybe fly with a bike before you make a suggestion that we learn to properly pack our gear.

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----------------------------------------------------------

What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Jordan,

Please note that Air Canada's $50 is only if you pre-register the bike at the time of booking the ticket online (there's a little place to to check off when you book your ticket).

Just showing up with the bike will run you $50.00.

Matt

Virgin America doesn't know their own policy. The website says $50 a customer service person I called confirmed that it was $50 and on my outgoing flight from LAX they only charged me $50, but when I showed up at JFK for my flight home, they told me it was a $50 bike fee PLUS the usual $15 per checked bag fee. That's still less than a lot of airlines, but $15 more than I expected to pay. Fortunately, I had printed out the page from their website and got to the airport early so I was able to hold up a growing line until they agreed to "make an exception" and "waive" the $15 fee. But they put a note in my permanent file that it was only a one-time waiver. So... moral of the story is the fee should only be $50, but they'll likely try to get you for the extra $15 too.

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http://j-tris.blogspot.com

i have a related question, while we're on this subject. are the size guidelines for "oversize" the same for all airlines? or, the other way around, are the maximum sizes for a "normal" bag/luggage uniform across all airlines?
peggy

 

Quote:

More confusion. Seems likes most airlines have no idea what there own policies are and they vary between airports.

That's the only certainty we can expect - it's a crap shoot every time you approach the counter.

I have to travel with a bike often to coach and for that it's the Ritchey Break Away. Thank god for that!!

Ian

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Ian Murray
http://www.TriathlonTrainingSeries.com
I like the pursuit of mastery
Twitter - @TriCoachIan

On BA, the free alowance is only for bags up to 23kg. Between 23kg and the maximum of 32kg ,excess baggage fees apply. You're right about the 2 bag allowance plus a bike bag!

I guess they must have changed that in the November reshuffle. Thank you for correcting me.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

Your welcome, I only know because I've just booked a flight to Houston.

American Airlines is $100 per bike each way, and if I read it right, they might also try to charge you the second bag fee too. It's $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second, which I think it nuts.... so the $100/bike isn't even the whole story. This is all crazy because that's the same price as taking a hang glider on the plane!!!

That being said, I sweet talked the lady at the desk at PHL into only charging me the 2nd bag fee and not the $100. This was when my gf and I were traveling together, each with a bike! Niceness goes a long way! When I was coming home from collegiate nationals, the airport had caught on to all the bikes and there was no leniency there.

Flying Boulder, CO to Santa Barbara and gave up on United, now $175 plus $20 1st bag - went with UPS. Door to door service in 3 days (Ground) for $47 (ok, $5 additional to pick up at each location). Charge your shipment online, print the label, tape it to the box and schedule a same-day pickup. Wetsuit, shoes, tools and helmet in the free bike box from the local shop too. $100 for 3 day guaranteed - less for the same time Ground but then UPS has the option of accidentally not getting your bike to you on time. You can then get a compact rental car, too. Not having to lug the bike box around is SO worth it!

Virgin America is $100 each way (limit 50 lbs)... Just paid the fee 2 minutes ago..

Yes, Delta is the worst.

I flew from the US to Denmark last month, taking a bike back with me to Denmark. Delta charges $300 each way to travel with a bike. Fortunately, I had it packed in a bike case and when the guy at the ticket counter asked what it was, I just said "training equipment." I was then "only" charged the $175 fee for oversized luggage.

I've made a habit of insisting that I watch TSA inspect my bike. Get to the counter extra early, say that you will wait around until they get someone, and then 'help' them go through your stuff. Sometimes the folks at TSA don't even know how to latch/un-latch the bike box itself, let alone repack your stuff, there is NO WAY I will let them check without me there. Also, when you're standing right there, they tend to believe that it is actually a bike....

First, there aren't enough cyclists to make any sort of difference. I fly a lot. I rarely see bike boxes. Second, I think what you and other people complaining about these fees don't understand is that airlines probably don't want cyclists' business. I really believe this isn't a case of them trying to rip cyclists off, as much as it is a case of them trying to dissuade people from flying with abnormally sized/weighted luggage. They have determined for whatever reason that bikes cause them problems, and will raise fees until we stop traveling with them. I've heard my surfer friends complaining about the same things.

Jordan:

My BF is a Delta pilot, and I can confirm, as can another above poster, that Delta / NW now charges $300 EACH way on International Flights for bikes. Yup, $600 round trip.

BTW, if anyone wants to rent a bike in Tuscany, I know a GREAT guy and service for ya. Quality carbon road bikes, awesome service for under $200 US a week.

beats the hell outta paying the airlines and worrying about them losing or breaking your baby!

Check out my post: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...;;page=unread#unread

I payed $175 to take my bike on a plane to Colorado. When I got to my hotel, there was a huge crack in the seat tube. There are pictures in my link, as well. I would strongly recommend not using them with a bike. Evidently they just toss them around. :(

Also, I have not had any luck with customer service yet!

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/iammikestar

Excellent topic for travel with bicycles

Based on this, I've just now changed a Delta connecting flight to JetBlue and booked a separate WestJet (whom I've used before) flight.

update: changed a large ticket from United/AirNZ to AirNZ/AirCanada

BTW, the info for the airlines I've just read in this post are confirmed on their websites.

Air New Zealand http://www.airnz.co.nz is:

> Flights to/from the USA, Canada or Tahiti
> Flights between New Zealand and London via
Los Angeles

Items of sporting equipment - for example golf clubs, skis, snowboards, bicycles and surfboards - are included as part of the standard piece allowance. Excess baggage charges apply once the standard piece allowance has been exceeded.

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__________________________________________
nz
rst, then slowtwitch lurker since '93

As a rule, United Airlines policies are irrational. Any attempt to make sense of what they do and why is an exercise in futility.

Allegiant Air. They fly into smaller airports in the US and are a good option for getting into Phoenix. In February, I was charged $100 on my outbound from Bellingham. My mistake, she rushed my card through before discussing the charges with me. I was permitted to stand but not touch while TSA inspected. The bike case has a plastic dowel in the centre to protect the frame and I wanted to ensure if was repacked properly. They even locked the case for me when they were done. TSA was very helpful. No fee on the way back from Mesa.

Their website states:

1. Exceptions � The following articles are excluded from the baggage weight and size limitations set forth in Articles 45 and 60 above and shall be acceptable for carriage upon the passenger's compliance with the special packing requirements and payment of applicable fees as follows:
1. Bicycles, when properly crated in a bicycle carton, will be accepted as baggage for a charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) each. Pedals and handlebars must be removed and stored so as not to be damaged or cause damage to other baggage.

<cut>

Emirates has just increased their luggage allowance for international flights to 30 kgs per passenger!! That's the allowance for cattle class too, not business class (that may be even higher, I'm not sure). They took good care of the bikes

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regards
Michael

I just flew with my bike on American Airlines.

$150 for the bike (Trico Case). I'm also Executive Platinum so for those wondering if there's any bonus for being EP, the answer is no (except for the normal baggage fee being waved).

Poo..

First, there aren't enough cyclists to make any sort of difference. I fly a lot. I rarely see bike boxes. Second, I think what you and other people complaining about these fees don't understand is that airlines probably don't want cyclists' business. I really believe this isn't a case of them trying to rip cyclists off, as much as it is a case of them trying to dissuade people from flying with abnormally sized/weighted luggage. They have determined for whatever reason that bikes cause them problems, and will raise fees until we stop traveling with them. I've heard my surfer friends complaining about the same things.

Agreed!

It was always frustrating checking in with my bike box and one other small checked bag behind the very overweight couple with mammoth suit cases and golf clubs - and me having to pay something extra for the bike but the behemoths with all their luggage in front of me paying nothing extra. At least now there's a bit of parity. The airlines go on and on that it's mostly about weight on the planes - more weight means more fuel used. So if it's really about weight then start charging people by their weight!! :)

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I'm not sure it is about weight as much as the abnormal size. When I fly inter island here in Hawaii (thankfully fees are still $25-30 each way) I notice that a person always brings my case out to me. I think it's because it doesn't fit on the conveyor belts (but golf clubs do). I would bet that in big airports like O'Hare or DFW items that don't flow through the normal process are probably a huge inconvenience for them.

That said I do wish they would make rational rules based on whatever issue they have. I know some soft cases are pretty much the same size as luggage, are not as bulky etc. So if the issue is size and manual processing, then don't say "bikes get charged $175" say "items over 60 inches on a side or more than 25kgs get charged $175." Standardize the rules across all luggage classes (golf clubs, surf boards, skis, bikes etc).

Can we add "each way" to the price descriptions...just to be clear.

BTW - Southwest doesn't really care about weight if it is over 62 inches.

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******************************************************
Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze

Do you have to be a Mexican citizen?

I am doing IM Cozumel and flying Mexicana from Chicago -- $40 seems better than $60x2.

Do you have a website where I can register? I googled with no luck, but then again I googled in English. My wife can probably read a spanish-language website given enough time.

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Swim - Bike - Run the rest is just clothing changes.

Here is the direct link to the form you need to fill out...

http://www.asdeporte.com/...o=2578&service=1

This is the Website. Federacion Mexicana de Triatlon. I am linking you straight to the affiliation section and at the very bottom before the end is the link to the above link. Just in case.

http://www.triatlon.com.mx/afiliaciones.php

Let me know if you have any problems or need some translation.

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"Fear is what drives you in the last part of a marathon in an Ironman. The body is depleted and the mind is fuzzy. Short course racing is driven by power and finese at the end of a race, Ironman demands so much more and is driven by will and mental strength." Chris McCormack

10/28/08 Dev Paul had 400w FTP!!!

I just finished checking in my bike hardcase at AirTran for $79. The agent almost made me pay another $79 bike fee for my Tri-all hard wheelcase, which is nowhere near being over weight or over sized

As far as I can tell, the Swiss Air policy (at least for a flight from Miami to Zurich) is as follows:

1. Charge me $200 each way
2. Lose my bike box
3. Lie to my face about the fact that the tracking phone number will get me to a person. In fact, I get an automated system that tells me there are no updates.
4. Lie to me on the phone about the tracking number, and then transfer me to the same fucking automated system (3 times).
5. Make me wait for almost an hour to finally talk to someone when I show up at the airport the next day, and then tell me to call the automated system.
6. Accuse me of being unreasonable when I indicate that I plan to set up a sign at IM Switzerland that reads "Swiss Air Sucks Ass" and parade around transition.
7. Find my bike box (which had been stashed 30 feet away from the tool who claimed for an hour that there was no way for him to find it).

The good news is that the airport ban expires well before I come back here. Can't wait to show up at the same Swiss Air counter to check in to go home in 2 weeks.

"it's a helluva day at sea"

United tried to charge me $175 to bring my FRONT WHEEL only on last week. I got heated and argued, had to talk to mgr, she tried to tell me it's same as a kid last week who brought a unicycle which is classified as a bike. Are you kidding me?? I won the argument but still had to check it for $15. Absurd.

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Ryan Borger - Denver, CO: Realtor. Former pro triathlete/coach. Cancer survivor. podiumproperties.com

From the official Qantas website:
Bicycles
To be accepted for carriage, bicycles must be suitably packed in a bike box. Bike boxes can be purchased from most Australian Qantas Terminals. Customers can travel with their own bike box, however it must not exceed the dimensions below.
Qantas bike pack dimensions are:

• Length: 140cm (55in)
• Width: 30cm (12in)
• Height: 80cm (32in)

Before bicycles can be accepted they must be packed as follows:

• Tyres must be deflated
• Pedals must be removed
• Handle bars must be fixed parallel to the frame
• If the bicycles length exceeds 140cm (55in), the front wheel should be removed and fixed beside the rear wheel, inside the bike box
  
  

Your bike kit may be included as part of the free baggage allowance. If the combined weight (or pieces for USA/South America) of the bike kit and your checked baggage exceeds the free baggage allowance, additional baggage rates will be charged. The maximum weight of any piece of checked baggage is 32kg (66lb).

Here is the complete link: http://www.qantas.com.au/...rtingEquipment#jump1

I sure hope this all works out when I go to the worlds in Sept. Even though I have a Qantas ticket from St Louis to LAX, it is "code shared" with AA so I bet I get whacked the $100 on that leg of the flight.

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Rich G.
Proud member of the Geritol wave!

FYI everyone- My buddy is a pilot for Jetblue and he recently sent out a little email post telling me during the Tour De France Jet Blue is 1. carrying Versus TV on their flights to show the Tour, and 2. Waving the bike fee on all flights. How freaking cool is that???

Air Transat in Canada to Europe was only $30 for the bike and 50 lbs per person for luggage.

British Airways is great. Lufthansa on the other hand charges 70 euros - both ways! Shit. And they made me take a cab to the airport in Nice to pick up my lost baggage :(

Flew Delta two weeks ago to race Ironman France. Called in advance and they said "$175" each way. Get to airport, and they wanted $450 each way for a trico case to go international. Said if it was under 50 lbs, it would be $300 (my case was very loaded at 62 pounds). They took pitty and charged $300. In Nice, they didn't weigh the box - they just asked the weight and I said "49 lbs" so they charged me $300 US to get it back too. The bottom line is that it's "speculative" based on how you react and negotiate with the staff, but the cost can reach $450 each way if you fly International. Delta Airline ticket however was the cheapest available at $830 round trip Chicago to Nice so you have weigh the ticket cost in the total price to travel with bike.

...also went to Nice UPS store to check on shipping bike home. They wanted 500 euro ($700 US) to ship the bike back.

Delta is pretty much the worst. Flew Delta from Arizona back to Canada and when got to check in they wanted $210 per bike. I looked at the agent and said I paid $178 for a seat in the cabin and if I have to pay $210 for my bike I want the bike in the seat beside me......also said my bike does not want a snack and it weighs a lot less than I do. She looked at me and said " yup that charge is kind of silly" she went away for a bit and came back and reduced the bike charge to $90. Dont ask dont get I always say!!!!

With Air Canada make sure don't load your bike box over 50lbs if do will see extra charges

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__________________________________________________________
Manufacturers Agent - Kuota, 2XU, Suunto, Campy, GU
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up? Definitely optional.

Ok, that�s more. But you�re right, it really depends on whom you�re dealing with. When leaving Nice, I told the clerk who was about to collect the bike fee "I�d never fly Lufthansa again" because of the trouble with my lost baggage. Ok, so he said he�d forget the bike fee if I had the taxi receipt. And Lufthansa was the cheapest around, 179e Helsinki-Nice-Helsinki.

Do we need another reason to not fly United with anything other than carry-on bags (if we have to fly United at all)? Sure, why not? The song by Dave Carroll and the Sons of Maxwell is actually good.

http://blogs.myspace.com/...amp;blogId=498887803

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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.

Not sure how useful this is for most in N.America, but Swiss charges nothing if you check the bike in lieu of a bag AND it is under 30kg (double check the weight rules).
Last year for IM-Switzerland we paid nothing for the bike (in a Sicon case) and a large-ish bag outbound; return I had overstuffed it a bit, but still only charged 50CHF (about 50$). I believe Lufthansa have a similar policy.

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http://eric.ronanderic.com
IM-Switz '08, IM-Louisville '09

unlike trico the tri all 3 is a lot larger and less dismantling for the pc3 but anyone have any experiences w the big tri all...none of the threads say which case there using?/

I am looking to ship my bike via UPS or Fed Ex to Canada for Ultraman- crew member. Since NWA will charge $300 each way to fly the bike.
So far I have rates of $160 for UPS and over $200 for Fed Ex- each way.

Any tips on getting a good ship rate? I have an Ironcase.
I plan on shipping it out from a business, using our account w/ UPS or Fed Ex, to a hotel.
Scott

Do you really need your own bike for the amount of time you are in Penticton?If you are wanting to ride while you are there I'm sure you can rent a bike from The Bike Barn for way less than the cost of shipping yours.They have a huge selection.

.

Are you checking your bike all the way through to Australia from St Louis or is your St Louis-LA flight a domestic connection which means you have to re-check your bike in LA?This makes a difference in the US.If you are checking your bike to OZ from St Louis them you should not be charged (but you have to point this out to them) as you are on an International flight.If you have to re-check your bike in LA then you will be charged in St Louis as it is a domsetic flight and they will not care if your connection is on a Qantas codeshare flight.

.

Be careful and call them. I think they have some sort of rule (not in their website), that says that if you are australian, or hold an australian resident visa, the rule you are mentioning does not apply. It has happened to me.
Call Quantas at the airport in advance.

I have talked w/ Bike Barn and that is a very good option I am considering. I just wanted to get an accurate idea about shipping my bike. I have a key ride I need to do while I am there and physiologically it may not matter if I am on a road bike vs.my tri bike- but my bike would be nice.\
S

Have fun on Ultraman weekend.You will be meeting some awesome people.Crewing is fun but I think racing the damn thing is easier.

.

I am a US citizen with a US passport so I think the rule would apply. I so enjoy airport negotiations!!!

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Rich G.
Proud member of the Geritol wave!

We went to UltraMan Hawaii last Nov. It was a life changing experience, but for now I would rather crew- maybe in a few more years I could consider competing in it.
Right now just hoping my athlete is rested for the event- not my ideal choice of race planning. He raced Germany last weekend and is racing Switzerland tomorrow- then 2 weeks to rest up for Ultraman.
S

USAirways dinged me for $20 even though I had my free bike shipping certificate on the way back from Rhode Island 70.3. I questioned the "trainee" who told me that "it just covers the bike fee but I still had to pay $20 since it counted as a checked bag "(even though I didn't check any other item and the total weight was only 34 pounds). On top of that they misplaced my bike and coulndnt locate it until today.

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You'e opinion is only as good as your signature line
-Chris

USAirways is a flat rate of $100, there is no baggage check fee. With a voucher your total should have been $0. I had this conversation with them yesterday in the airport. Here is what they say re: bikes -

Bicycles will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $100 per direction, if over 62 in/157 cm in total dimensions (total dimensions are length + width + height). One item of bicycle equipment is defined as 1 non-motorized touring or racing bicycle with a single seat.

Bicycles should be prepared for transportation by the passenger. Bicycle must be placed in a card board or hard cased bike container. Bicycles not enclosed will still be accepted, however, the handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed, or bicycle handlebars and pedals must be encased in plastic or foam or similar material for transport. A release form will also need to be signed by the passenger.
Here is the link: http://www.usairways.com/...ge/specialitems.aspx



In case TSA damages any of your stuff when they search your bike case and re-pack it poorly, here is the link to file a claim.

http://www.tsa.gov/...95_claim_package.pdf


Somehow they managed to put multiple dents in my helmet and what looks like teeth marks although it was no where near any of the cassettes or chain rings.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

I use a big Tri all 3 with the removable top vs a clam shell. You can pack way more shit in it, it's way easier, but it's a PIA if not impossible to get into anything less then a mid size rental.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

My brother and I just flew bikes from Minneapolis to Munich on Northwest/Delta (connecting through Amsterdam on KLM) and we were charged $150 each. On the return trip from Barcelona (also through Amsterdam), the KLM agent didn't charge us anything for the bikes. The bikes were our only checked baggage each time.

Here is what I got from their customer relations:



Now I did eventually get my bike back yesterday afternoon but it looks to me like the Customer Relations don't even know their own policy. The way I read it they are doing me a courtesy for my inconvenience of misplacing my bike rather than being incorrectly charged.

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You'e opinion is only as good as your signature line
-Chris

I had a good experience with Continental. Agreed that if you read their baggage policy you could interpret it as $100 plus additional fees but that was not the case. From Pittsburgh to Malaga, Spain (3 flights) it was a one time fee of $100 and I had one checked bag also at no extra fee. They did tell me if I wanted to check my carryon bag that would be extra as the bike case counted as 1 of my 2 pieces of free checked luggage, but I new that ahead of time. I paid the $100 at check in at Pittsburgh airport.

From Spain to Pittsburgh they didn't charge me anything extra when I checked in. Fully was prepared to have to pay the $100 when I arrived at Pittsburgh but no one said anything and I just got my bike and went. So to and from Spain, 6 flights total, came in at $100 for the whole trip to fly with my bike.

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Wow, I'm surprised, especially by some of the international charges, which are outrageous. I have been using the Blue Competition Akona BioSpeed bag this year on two trips, one domestic to 70.3 Nawlins on Delta, and one completed this past weekend after covering the Roth Challenge; into Geneva and out of Frankfurt, on United. Each time, the bag came in at 29lbs (packed the bike kit, shoes in regular rolling luggage) and well under the size limit. Four different gate agents, and I have been charged exactly $0. Of course, I take care by taping the bike up with foam insulation and used fork and dropout blocks, but the bike has been undamaged each time.

Maybe I look like a guy people want to help out. But I think the reality is, the easier you make it on the agent (that is, you don't roll up to the counter hefting something that looks like a Fort Knox safe) by making the presentation as small and light as possible, the more likely you are to skate by. That's been my goal this year in testing the Akona bag, and while I'm sure it's not guaranteed to skate every time, I think my season bike travel payout says something. I've had a couple pros call me after I did a blog post on it some months ago, and there's a group of athletes who can't afford to $400 hits taking their bike to a race every other weekend. If you can minimalize as much as possible when traveling and go soft-sided, you might be able to skirt by once or twice... or more. Coz if you travel enough, it adds up.

Of course, if you have an $11,000 baby and don't want to even risk it getting damaged, which is the greater benefit of a hardshell, then stick with a hardshell and be prepared to pay the tithe.

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Jay Prasuhn
Marketing Specialist, American Bicycle Group (Quintana Roo//Litespeed//Obed)
twitter.com/jayprasuhn

Delta charged me $450 each way to take my bike to Munich.

This was the second time I had ever used the Pro Bike Case.

The box was so thoroughly destroyed on the return trip I had to laugh (only after seeing that my bike had somehow survived).

The box had been rectangular with an aluminum frame. It is now some type of parallelogram. The latches all look like a crow bar has been taken to them.

On one side of the case, there are multiple holes where it looks like the box was dragged along the runway at speed. Some of the box is melted due to the friction of dragging along pavement.

I had to go through customs in Atlanta. the customs people were as upset as I was. They were nice enough to loan me some duct tape so that the box could make the rest of the trip to Austin.

Let's just say that the baggage person for Delta took one look at my plastic scrap heap at baggage claim and responded,"I guess we'll be replacing that then." No argument and no comment needed from me.

$900 for the privelege of having a $400 bike box destroyed. WHAT A BARGAIN!!!!

"I guess we'll be replacing that then."

I couldn't help laughing when I read that. Sorry about your box, glad your bike made it home safe though.

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To another poster: that BioSpeed Bike Travel Case looks awesome. I am going to ask Santa for one at X-mas. From the comments on Blue's website it looks like a lot of well-traveled pros are using it. I'd say that is a good sign.

http://aeruscomp.com/...dea223dbb10d3756459a

http://rideblue.com/...?document=travelcase

mm

LOL. That was a very funny description of the damage to your case. Maybe they couldn't fit it inside of the cargo so the dragged it behind the jet :)

Let us know if Delta steps up and replaces it for you...

Booked a flight on Delta using frequant flier miles and now pondering how to get my bike to kona in October. Good news had enough miles to get me and the family in first class. Bad news is is sounds a good chunck of the savings will be spent getting the bike there. Looking to buy a case read up on some and it seems many already weigh over 25 lbs, so the bike and the rest of the stuff has to be under 25 to avoid even more fees. Anyone ever travel on frequent flier miles in first class and not get charged?

Anyone have any reviews or feedback on this bike case? http://www.performancebike.com/...;top_category=400007

Peace,
RF

I fixed your post for you...just remember to take everything with a grain of salt. I think there's a guy on this thread who had his bike crushed a couple weeks ago while traveling with his bike in a Biospeed case.

.

I flew Delta to Zurich for Ironman Switzerland 2009, and even though I flew home in Business Elite, I still had to pay $300 for my bike, AND they lost my bike. I since have wasted at least 3 hours on the phone with Delta (most of that time spent on hold) trying to figure out the whereabouts of my bike, and can't seem to get any consistent answers. On Tuesday, I spoke to 4 different Delta agents and received 4 different answers on the whereabouts of my bike. Yesterday I was told they had found the bike and it would be delivered to my house around 6:00-7:00. It never showed up and nobody ever called. This morning when I called, after waiting on hold for 30 minutes, I was told they didn't know why the bike wasn't delivered or where it was. On a later call today, they told me they had the bike and that it would be delivered tonight at 6:30. I rushed out of work to be home by 6:30 - it's now 8:15 and I'm still waiting (and nobody has called). AND, to top this all off, they are refusing to refund me the $300 I had to pay to fly with the bike.

"I think there's a guy on this thread who had his bike crushed a couple weeks ago while traveling with his bike in a Biospeed case."

...and people have had their bikes wrecked in hard-shell cases too. ANY time you hand off your bike -- put it on a plane, ship it via UPS, etc. -- you risk 1) damage, 2) loss, and 3) ridiculous fees.

The advantage of the BioSpeed case, as I see it (and maybe Blue should sponsor ME now too), is that it doesn't look like a bike case. Damage and loss are unavoidable risks when flying with your bike, but fees are potentially avoidable.

Say you fly with your bike five times in three years. That could easily run you $1500 in bike fees. If you use a soft case and avoid the fee even four of the five times, you just saved $1200, enough to buy another frame just in case they crush your bike on the fifth flight.

And, as has been brought up numerous times in previous threads, maybe you don't really NEED to take that $9000 bike with you every time. Maybe for this trip, you can take a nice, older, metal-framed road bike instead. Leave the $3000 Zipps at home and take some sturdy 32-spoked wheels instead. If you minimize your risk -- pack according to direction, bring things that can be bent back if they get bent, bring an older less-expensive bike -- you're another step ahead.

Flying with a bike is a losing proposition. If you're going to do it, why not try to lose as little as possible?

mm


NOT sponsored by Blue, BioSpeed...hell, I'm not sponsored by anyone.

And no, there is no post on this thread about a bike being crushed in a Biospeed case on this thread -- I just reread all the posts.

Finally, just to prove that I'm not shilling for a company:

I'm flying to IMC in August. I wasn't going to do it because of the bike fees, but then I found out about the free bike vouchers with US Air. I got a $236 ticket to Seattle and I have two vouchers in hand.

I am borrowing a huge hard-shell case to pack my bike. If it's free, I'll take all the protection I can get.

For $236 and $0 in bike fees, it was substantially cheaper and easier than driving.

mm

2x

I always said that when you arrive at the airport, you should have to step on a scale with all of your baggage (carry-on, checked baggage, strollers, etc..) and they charge you on a cost/lb basis based on fuel costs/lb. Seems pretty simple to me....

AND, to top this all off, they are refusing to refund me the $300 I had to pay to fly with the bike.

That's actually the most galling part about this. Yes, it's a bit of a hassle t for the baggage handlers to handle the bike. We know that. We've had to do a bit of extra work to get the bike to the check-in counter, but it's not that much($300) of extra work. On the contrary, if you are paying that much extra one would think that the bike would get some form of extra special treatment, but the bikes cases get beat up, man-handled or lost just like any other piece of luggage.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Opening a "No airplaine fees for bikes" group at Facebook could be a start.

Here's the post on this thread. You didn't follow the link in the post.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...rum.cgi?post=2401370

Letters, emails, whining, complaining and harassing at check in do nothing.

I disagree with the letter writing. As you said, the guy with the golf clubs and huge suitcase pays nothing but this is because the golf guys wouldn't let them get away with it. We do. I write letters and whine on many of my airline and rental cars and get decent results. It is BS that they don't want our business and BS that companies don't listen to complaints. As you said, a bike box does not cost them $300 or even $50. They charge us because they can. If every STer wrote a complaint leter, it might help.

I regularly write/email about these sorts of things. I am not trying to be that sort of customer, but when I feel I have been given a raw deal, I take the time to write a proper letter to whoever, and see what can be done. I find that if you are not an ass about this, they often will go the extra mile to help you out.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

just got charged $200 USD on United flying international from Korea to the US. This is the first time I've EVER been charged for my bike in Asia, where they usually go by weight.

My box was not overweight (25kg)... they just charged me $200 on general principal because the contents of my box was a bike. Again, first time I've seen this in three years and many races in Asia.

Ticket says the charge is all the way to my destination. Let's hope I don't get a big dose of American airport hospitality from the TSA and the counter people when I transfer!

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Were you flying US carriers on your previous intra-Asia trips? My general experience (*not* bike-specific) is that foreign carriers (KAL, Asiana, etc) are much more reasonable than the major US carriers. Delta is especially bad.

Dan

Looking at Kona air transport for IMH. Any one have any experience with US Airways and the WTC Free Bike Voucher? How do you implement this? Does this apply to someone not travelling to do the race - say the spouse of someone doing the race? Can we both get/use the vouchers?

Thanks.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Continental to Lake Placid...$80 buckes each way which was not bad considering I expected to pay $100 each way! Paacking a bike box sucks ass BTW

My apologies. A selfish bump for my question above.

Anyone? Bueller? :)

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I think it's an old hold over from the IMNA days. Doesn't apply to Kona??? I've never heard of US Air vouchers to get it out there.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

they just charged me $200 on general principal because the contents of my box was a bike.

That's the thing that fucking pisses me off more than ANYTHING! Once i was asked if it was a bike. No, I said, it's various parts. Not a bike, he says. No... parts. Do they happen to be bike parts? How's this... my case (i had actually sinched the size of it "under the limit" *thank you tape) is of normal size... it weighs 29 lbs, why are you still asking questions.

If you get up in their face about the ridiculousness of the "simply b/c it's a bike" clause sometimes they'll let it slide then deal with an irate customer.

FWIW... i was in a really bad mood that day. The real evil-cynical-no-bull-shit-common-sense-me comes out on those days.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

If you get up in their face about the ridiculousness of the "simply b/c it's a bike" clause sometimes they'll let it slide then deal with an irate customer.

Mark,

Agreed. That is what I find most galling about this. Why do the airlines seem to have it out for anything that is a B-I-K-E?

My sense is that part of it has been people showing up with hard cases packed to the gills with a weight similar to a Hummer!

If you pack smart and light while traveling with a bike for race or training you should have a one checked bag with reasonable weight and the bike box - also of reasonable weight. Yes it's slightly over sized, but is it $150 - $200 worth of oversize? That's the question I keep asking?

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I had a friend (when we were flying to our first ITU race back in 2003), that told them it was bike parts. They then opened it, and he challenged them "If you can build it, and ride it around the terminal, I will pay your fee!". It actually worked! I thought that was hillarious. I usually just call it "business equipment", which is not a lie at all when you are a pro.

We all know Delta sucks, why are some of you surprised and outraged by this?

One tip: Stop putting a bunch of triathlon and bike related stickers on your case!!!! This is quite the tipoff for the clever CSI check in workers.

I still say Hardcase when traveling domestically, soft when going international. I have had mine banged up so many times when in the US, I would not trust them to a soft case.

And I have a friend, sponsored by Blue, who had a 1 cm. hole punched in his disc, when using the soft case. So Damage does occur, and I think it is a pretty big risk to fly with, even if you get reduced bike fees.

If you pack smart and light while traveling with a bike for race or training you should have a one checked bag with reasonable weight and the bike box - also of reasonable weight. Yes it's slightly over sized, but is it $150 - $200 worth of oversize? That's the question I keep asking?

That's the thing that i guess makes absolutely no sense. It's not like it's a graduated fee. It's $0 if you are just under on the size (and at 29lbs i'm always under on weight) but then jumps to dollar figures that rival two round trips on the same airlline.... WTF!?!?!?! Next argument I'm going to strike up with them. "I know it's your policy... but I want you to prove to me the financial sense in what you are asking of me. Ask yourself... does it really make sense?"

Like with much of life... the lack of common sense is all too present here.

Oh yeah... and please start charging more on the fat fucks that spill over the arm rest and into my seat.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

Actually, you should ask Purse about the rationale behind airline pricing...

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Team Timex 2014
@ajhodges

Because domestic airlines also fly various forms of cargo and bikes or other oversized bits tend to reduce the available space for on demand air-freight. Also, I suspect that many who have suffered delays due to 'lost bikes' was actually a case of the bike being bumped in lieu of cargo/air freight. While we have not had any bad experiences with transporting the bikes, recently when the wife and I flew Southwest to Manchester, NH for a cycling vacation SWA charged $50 for each bike each way (bikes packed in Sunlite Hardcases) with an intermediate stop in Baltimore. Upon arrival in Baltimore, while waiting for the next bunch of passengers to board, I watched as the ground crew unloaded nothing but boxes of frozen seafood from the aft cargo hold of our 737-700. Now while I thought it ironic to fly frozen seafood from the gulf coast to the east coast, when I asked one of the cabin crew if that amount of cargo was common place, she said it would be uncommon and often noted that there was as much or more cargo than baggage.

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¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Update: back from trip (Auckland, SanFran, Boston, Orlando, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver, Auckland). I had one ~35lb bag, plus hardcase bike case (the Team Bike Case from Performance) with Cervelo Soloist/Helmet/Trq Wrenches/Shoes/Water bottles

To re-cap, my first tickets would have been-
U:$200USD, D-$175, WJ:$50, U:$200USD.

Read this thread and changed tickets to become-
AirNZ:$0, JB:$50USD, WJ:$50USD,AC:$50CDN

Actual costs were:
AirNZ:$0, JB:July Tour deFrace promo:$0, WJ:$0 they let me repack to be <50lbs (I had added some nice bike gifts for wife), AC:$50CDN

Damage: nil and case in great nic.

Riding: Hamptons, NH and NSCC club ride Boston, MA, back roads central Nova Scotia - PRICELESS :-)


Amazingly, On the return flights from Halifax I had 30mins and 60mins stop overs. Bike made it to Auckland with me, but bag made it a day later. Not bad!

Slight OT - I am happy with this bike box after quite a few international/domestic flights. It fits in back seats of taxis (larger American or UK ones) should the boot be full of junk and the four wheels make airport/hoteling easy. Even managed a couple of Kms walk in Newburyport MA from the commuter train to inn without a problem.

again, great thread. Is there a sticky home for this yet?
cheers

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__________________________________________
nz
rst, then slowtwitch lurker since '93

You're right. I stand corrected.

mm

US Air update:

Domestic - $100 USD each way
International - $100 USD each way.

TSA = Dumbfucks who have failed now 3 of my last 4 trips closing the case properly. Here is the link to TSA to file a claim from dumbfuck's damaging your stuff.

http://www.tsa.gov/...95_claim_package.pdf

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

Air France: can check a bag and a bike for free (at least on international flights)

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This even works on Delta flights (normally $300/bike) if marketed by Air France. But be careful, when you get to the Delta ticket counter the person will be clueless and will try to charge you.

I did this on my trip to IMUK (Air France marketed Delta flight purchased through Air France). I had the selling rep. put a comment on my record with the appropriate luggage rules. Even with the comment it took a bit of tenacity and 20 minutes for them to verify...but in the end got the bike on for free.

AirFrance-KLM: In Europe they sometimes charge 40 Euro, sometimes 175 Euro. So far, every time they tried 175 and I said "Hey, it should be 40" they have changed it, so I am not sure what the scam is. It may have something to do whether it is an extra piece of luggage or part of the allowance.

AirFrance-KLM: Trans-atlantic: 250 Sfr (approx 200 USD), this is probably the equivalent of the 175 USD for NorthWest since they are related. And this is independent of the class you fly, your frequent flyer status, etc. I asked specifically if I was a Platinum member flying a full fare first class ticket and they said yep, we charge for the bike. Just one of the many reasons I don't fly first class :-).

HOWEVER, I have found they will not charge if the bike is not "complete". Any time I say "It's not a complete bike, there are no wheels in it" I don't have to pay. Of course, the wheels are not in the bike, then it won't fit in the bag, but the wheels are in the bag. I don't want to lie, but I do say things like "It's not like it's ready to ride away on".

All in all, pretty pathetic for KLM, airline of the cycling capital of the world, the Netherlands (there are always several bike-related articles in their in-flight magazine, every month. Crazy).

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Gerard Vroomen
3T.bike
OPEN cycle

150 euros when flying with the German airline is the standard cost for taking a bike on board so i found out yesterday.
Lufthansa also starts charging more on top of that when the weight is over 32kgs(would have to recheck this bit).

The funny thing is that the ticket I bought was with AirNZ return from Queenstown/NZ to Frankfurt/Germany and on the way there I had no extra fee for the bike since it was checked right through with AirNZ.
AirNZ allows an extra 10kgs free for most sports gear and bikes so you can carry up to 30kgs with no extra baggage charges.

Anyway 150euros is alot and 'by chance' the girl at the Lufthansa pay desk made an error and only charged me 70euros.

G.
www.TriathlonShots.com

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http://www.TriathlonShots.com
Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

With Lufthansa...it is also the measurements of your bike box that is important. If you go over, it is actually roughly $500 one way, which is totally insane. BUT if you fly businessclass, it is a little different and they might not charge you extra, as you have a higher weight limit. Just FYI...

Thanks for confirming my post on here. Was sure someone would reply as it is a nasty surprise. I said to them that my bike was hardly worth 150euros whcih wasn't quite true but was trying to emphasise to them how expensive it was.
For me Lufthansa was only from Frankfurt to London so in future I will go back to London all the way on eurorail.

It must be cheaper to post your bike from Germany than flying with your bike on Lufthansa?



G.

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http://www.TriathlonShots.com
Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

I'd like to throw something out there for everyone to keep an eye out for-

Be careful when booking your flight to make sure it's not a code share. For example, if you book a flight on Alaska Airlines but are not flying out of Seattle...it will be operated by some other carrier and you will be subject to their baggage rules.

Disclaimer: If this was already mentioned, sorry :)

Just back from a round trip on United and got the $175 in both directions. At least the guy in Denver coming back was nice and let me move some stuff around as the bike case had the gear and tool bag in it and was 10 pounds over and he didn't want to charge me the additional $125. Between the bike charge and off-airport parking and a share of the rental car, I could have driven for the same price or less.

clm

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

Alaska Airlines last weekend.
Tri-Alll3 2 bike case.

Fai-DFW 75$ and Lots of what's in it questions.
DFW-FAI $50 dollar oversize fee and no questions.

This side up stickers did no good as the baggage gorillas had it on its side every time I saw the box.

Just back from a round trip on United and got the $175 in both directions. At least the guy in Denver coming back was nice and let me move some stuff around as the bike case had the gear and tool bag in it and was 10 pounds over and he didn't want to charge me the additional $125. Between the bike charge and off-airport parking and a share of the rental car, I could have driven for the same price or less.

Cathy,

Not trying to be a smart-ass, but why did you book with United in the first place? Triathletes and cyclists need to start talking with the wallets and NOT supporting the airlines with the ridiculous bike fees and UA is in the small group of being the worst.

Reecently we started booking flights based on who had the best bike fees. It may not be the cheapest ticket that comes up on the top of the Expedia or Hotwire seaches. You may have to scroll down a bit and pay a bit more up-front, but it may work out better in the long run.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Figured I would add this to the thread since it had to do with my bike box.

Coming back from Ironman Germany 70.3 I had to fly commercial from Frankfurt to Istanbul then to Adana, Turkey. I was lucky enough to catch a military flight up there. So when I got to check in with Turkish Airlines the check in lady was looking at my bike box like I was crazy. I just figured she hadn't seen a bike box in a while. So she starts questioning whats in the box and I use the "sporting equipment" line, seems to have been working lately. Then she points to my Avia stickers from Wildflower, the ones with there trade mark skull on it. And she thinks I have human body remains in there and starts asking all kinds of crazy quesitons. So luckily she did not call security or anything but she made me put the fragile stickers over my AVIA stickers. I was pretty pissed at first but then I didnt get charged for the box so all in all it was good. So bottom line trying to explain that a Skull logo is for a shoe brand was not possible. No one else will probably fly turkish airlines but from my first experience I liked not having to pay $$$ for both flights.

Brad

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-Brad Williams
Website | Twitter: @BW_Tri |Instagram: @BW_Tri | Strava | Co-Founder & Coach at: KIS Coaching
Partnered with: Zoot Sports | Precision Fuel &Hydration | ISM

Just got back from the Worlds in Australia. I purchased a ticket on the Qantas website so I had a Qantas ticket all the way from St. Louis to LAX, Brisbane, Auckland, LAX and back to St Louis. The St. Louis to LAX and LAX back to St.Louis were code shared on American Airlines. When I went to check in at St. Louis, I had all the Qantas luggage rules handy and told the agent the bike box counts as my 2nd bag and should fly for free. I made it met all the Qantas rules as far as weight so I was really hoping to make the "sale". She did a bunch of checking on the computer and told me it was really weird but she agreed. She slapped the baggage tickets on bag, the bike box and I was on my way for NO CHARGE!!! Same treatment for the whole trip, never paid anything for the bike to fly. The only thing I paid on the entire trip for my bike was to store it at the Auckland airport for a week after the race so I didn't have to drag it all around NZ.

So If you are racing down under (including NZ) , be sure to check out flying Qantas and if it works, buy the ticket off the Qantas website so you have a Qantas ticket all the way through. And a final point, The Qantas ticket was half the price of the exact same flights purchased off the American Airlines website (code shared). Factor in that American would have charged me for the bike, the savings of buying the Qantas ticket almost paid for the rest of the trip.

Another little side note: all the Qantas people were so nice - none of that US Flag airline attitude.

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Rich G.
Proud member of the Geritol wave!

first half of my trip in the bag, San Diego to Charlotte on American, bike flew free. Same way that I alwasy fly with it, wheels in a hard shell case, frame partially disassembled in a boogie board bag. I hadn't flown in a while and with all of the changes I wasn't sure if it would still work. But its certainly under the 50 pounds and even though it is over the 62inch size, it's close and they never measure. Unfortunetely American does charge a fee for any luggage checked and that counted as two checked bags so I did get hit with a total of $40 for the two checked bags.

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Mike Plumb, TriPower MultiSports
Professional Running, Cycling and Multisport Coaching, F.I.S.T. Certified
http://www.tripower.org

This is Singapore Airs policy:

http://www.singaporeair.com/...p?v=-1760740138&

A standard charge of 6 kg will be applied on the bicycle if its weight together with the customer's other checked baggage exceeds the free alllowance entitled to the customer. This will apply up to a maximum excess of 15 kg, after which the normal excess baggage charges will apply.

This special charge is only applicable to one bicycle per customer. Any additional bicycles shall be charged according to the standard excess baggage charges. The bicycle shall be properly packed for transportation, with the handle bars fixed sideways and pedals removed.

The XS baggage charges are based on zones:

http://www.singaporeair.com/...an/baggage_zonal.jsp

and range from 8USD per KG to 60 USD per KG.

Rules for US and Canada travel are different, for travel to/from the USA and/or Canada, each bicycle will be considered as a piece of luggage under the piece system, and will be charged as such if the customer exceeds his/her free baggage allowance.

Figured I would add this to the thread since it had to do with my bike box.

Coming back from Ironman Germany 70.3 I had to fly commercial from Frankfurt to Istanbul then to Adana, Turkey. I was lucky enough to catch a military flight up there. So when I got to check in with Turkish Airlines the check in lady was looking at my bike box like I was crazy. I just figured she hadn't seen a bike box in a while. So she starts questioning whats in the box and I use the "sporting equipment" line, seems to have been working lately. Then she points to my Avia stickers from Wildflower, the ones with there trade mark skull on it. And she thinks I have human body remains in there and starts asking all kinds of crazy quesitons.


The above reminds me of a funny story. 'SuperSprint' used to run a sprint triathlon in Fiji and I headed over to do it in 2004. Fiji has had its share of coups over the years and so there is a bit of milatary presence around including a few specialist soldiers from Britain(met them while there in 1999 anyway). So when i rocked up to my hotel in downtown Nadi with a big black case a couple of Fijians come inquiring and asking if my case was full of machine guns. I just laughed and said no, they laughed but were still looking at me funny and wanted to see/know what was in it. Anyway it was a great triathlon and my place was 4th but 15mins back from the winner Peter Robertson.


G.
www.TriathlonShots.com

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http://www.TriathlonShots.com
Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

What an awesome thread! I am thinking about registering to my first out-of-state race and this has proven helpful in figuring out some of the costs/decisions to make.

Thanks!

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T. Guertin / Spocket

I can't tell when this was updated last, but it looks like it has some useful information:

http://www.ibike.org/...t/travel/bagregs.htm

I just read this whole thread and had a few things to add/emphasize. My bikes have been a whole lot of places...Alaska, Qatar, most of the US...via just about every means available--UPS, DHL, USPS (yes, I trusted my bike to the USPS once), automobile, and airline.

1. If you can drive, drive! Seriously...start adding up ticket cost (especially if you live in small podunk towns like I do!), bike cost, and airport transportation...you would be amazed how even two days worth of driving is cheaper than flying!

2. BEFORE buying your airline ticket be sure to check the policies! Then PRINT OUT THE RULES FROM THE WEBPAGE! If they try to charge you something ridiculous you have the rules to show them. As others have said...you may get the awesome cheap ticket, but get killed on bike box fees.

3. One poster said he was told if his bag was under 62 inches it would be a normal bag...remember this is LINEAR inches! Not just longest dimension! It's actually L+W+H in most cases. If it's the USPS it's actually L+2x(W+H) and it has to be under 130. Anytime they give a dimension make sure you are clear on what it is! FWIW, most bike cases will NEVER be under the airline dimensions unless it's a folding bike.

4. If you send your bike on an airline in anything but a hard sided plastic case, in my personal opinion you are asking for it. Have you SEEN how these guys manhandle luggage?

5. You CAN ask to be present if the case needs to be opened. I have started doing this and generally what they do is let you go back to where they do the initial screening on the case to see if they need to open it. It literally happens right after you check in...so just ask. The worst they can say is no, right? TSA will screw up putting the bike back in the case if you are not there. This tactic might work a bit better in smaller airports. I'm flying from Fort Walton to LAX this weekend...I expect FWB to let me be there...I will not be surprised if I get turned down by LAX.

6. If you send it UPS/DHL/Fed Ex...INSURE IT! For a LOT! There is a tipping point on amount of insurance where they track the package better and treat it better. Also, remember that these shipping companies have to deliver it to a specific address...if you plan on delivering it to a bike shop they are going to charge you a fee just to receive it even if they don't reassemble it for you. Factor that into how much it costs! I've truly found that unless you disassemble into a cardboard box (and I don't think I would even trust a cardboard box for this) it's going to cost about the same to ship or fly and with ship you are without your bike for much longer.

FWIW, for airlines, American gets my devotion. Not only do the waive the checked bag fee for military (didn't see that little tidbit metioned in this thread), but they only $100 each way for the bike...which is by FAR the most reasonable charge of all the major airlines. So if you are military, it's definitely only $100 versus $115 or $125 that it would be for everyone else. Would I love to be able to fly something cheaper like Southwest? Yup...but unfortunately when you are forced to live in the middle of nowhere you don't really have that choice. I was a little surprised at the "hate" on American Airlines I read above...they have been the best for taking my bike in recent history.

Oh, and recently I flew on Delta (without my bike) and discovered that if you check your bags in online it's $5 cheaper than checking them in at the airport. I found this quite stupid...I mean, what is the difference? You still need to talk to an agent at the airport to drop off the bag so it isn't like you are saving them any manpower. I personally think it's just another way for the airlines to keep squeezing juice out of the turnip. But it's another way to save yourself $5-$10 each way! I am not sure if all airlines are doing it, but again...see #2. If I had not checked in advance it would have cost me $10. That's a lot of beer money!

I use an Biospeed bike bag. Thus far I have travelled to:

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, South America, all over the US/Canada. And only been charged ONCE. Roughly 30 plus flight and only one charge.

What to do?

First approach the counter and try to hide your bag in front of you.

Always be nice to the girl/guy counter, crack jokes, smile, ask random questions - ESPECIALLY when you lift the bag to get weighed, keep the chatter going. Heck compliment "her" hair or "his" beard. Cast their attention away from their computer

I rarely get asked whats in the bike bag. Due to the straps on the bag you can shrink it way down with 2 wheels and some clothing/towels for padding. Makes it under the oversized policy from most airlines.

Now in the instance where I do tell them it's a bike - I plead the 20 year old poor amateur athlete story and usually get sympathy - save that one time....grr

Generally I always insist to move the bag in case they suspect it's too heavy but I always manage to get it well under the weight limit.

Don;t believe in bike bags? Never had a problem as I pack my bag VERY carefully. The only problem I ever had was my BB RM sensor braking, but that was my fault. Still claimed it on airline insurance and made some $.

Keep it simple stupid(s) :D

Flew over to Ironman Hawaii on Continental using my new Aerus Biospeed Bike Bag. Was charged nothing for it when I checked in.

I have written a review of the bag and my experiences and posted on my Blog Part of the Ironman week blogging extravaganza!

http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/...bike-bag-review.html

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Flew Air Canada yesterday. At the kiosk when I checked in it specifically asked if I had any items such as:

Golf clubs
Skis
Bike
Etc,

If they asked "what's in the bag" at the counter I might have responed with sporting equipment or triathlon equipment. But kind of hard to lie to the computer and unfortunately it didn't have a spot for "enter vague answer here".

Only paid $50, but off to Kona today on Alaskan with a connection on Hawaiin. Hopefully the rest of the way is still smooth.

Using a Biospeed from Aerus.

Laird

This is where I get tripped up. I never get asked "What's in the box." I get asked, "Is that a bike." I never have the chance to give a vague answer that will get me a discount, and I don't have it in me to flat-out lie. Laird, given what other people have paid to transport their bikes, $50 is a steal. Don't worry about it and have a good race on Saturday.

Like Kathryn Bertine, who got charged $700 in bike fees by United on her trip to cycling worlds in Switzerland.

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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.

How many people have used the Aerus biospeed bag? my 10 year old hard case is worn out and need a new case. would love to buy a light weight case and get past the fees, but very concerned about bike damage in a soft case. I have a new carbon bike and have been told that carbon is more likely to crack than titanium or steel.

-how padded is the aerus biospeed bag?
-anyone ever use it and have any bike damage?
-for those using it, do you have a carbon bike?

not sure if avoiding airline fees is worth the chance of bike damage from not using a hard case.

Strange. Were the bags ever measured? The robot's $50 charge is inconsistent with their website that lists an oversize charge above 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), a $100 service charge applies each way. I'm booked on Continental to IMCOZ, and don't think two 700c wheels alone will safely fit under 62 linear inches.

I have the identical strategy and use the Akona Biospeed. Actually have been travelling for over 20 years with soft shell cases, pack them tight and only paid three times Once leaving Kona, twice leaving St. Croix. Hard to not pay at these locations as they know what every bag is. I'll probably be charged leaving Clearwater....we'll see.

Dev

AEROS BIOSPEED BAG - I also have it and it has worked great -no damage, and no fees. 32lbs on the scale and walking up to the counter carrying it like a garment bag prevents any questions. I was asked once while it was sitting on the scale and still no fee. I don't think she believed there was actually a bike in there. One suggestion - spend an extra $15 at Lowe's to help protect the bike and wheels: insulated tubing for the frame, a roll of bubble wrap, packing tape and a few pieces of cardboard. Put a piece cardboard on each side of your wheels and then wrap the whole wheel in bubble wrap to provide some added cushion since that's what supports the sides of the bag. Put insulated tubing on the frame and forks, some extra bubble wrap here and there and it's well protected with very little added weight. Don't forget to stop by a local bike shop and pick-up some plastic brace blocks for the rear drop out and fork before you pack.

Final report on Kona Bike Charges.

It was bedlam at the Kona airport when we arrived to check-in last night. We were there well in advance of our flight( 90min+) but the situation was not looking good at Hawaiian Airlines check-in. I asked two different roaming Hawaiian people if they would be doing a triage based on time of departure and received no answers! A friend tipped us off( after standing in a line that was not moving at all for 45 min!) to use the porter service to check our bags and get our tickets checked and seats assigned. We tracked one down, tipped the guy $25 and he took care of everything. Charges for the bikes - $35/each. Not sure what it would have been had we stayed in the main line - Hawaiian/Continental advertise a $100/bike charge plus other extra bag charges. Had we stayed in the main line we may not have even made the flight!!

So total bike charges for the trip:

MissP(Trico Ironcase) - $50 on Air Canada to Kona and $35 on the return trip to Toronto on Hawaiian/Continental

Me(Aerus Biospeed) - No charge on Continental to Kona and $35 on the return trip to Toronto on Hawaiian/Continental

Shared charges - $25 porter tip at KOA

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I didn't see this up there but Quantas is free for a bike box international, so if you are planning to fly to Aus, for whatever reason definitly fly them.

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so was air new zealand september 6-16, 2009. that's why i chose them to go to australia.
peggy

My Aerus made it to Kona and back with no problems.

Air Canada to Seattle $50

Seattle to Hon. - no charge, just $15 for 1st checked bag which is a standard bag charge

Hon to Kona $25 - although she felt bad but said they had a meeting about that since so many bikes were not getting charged

Kona to Maui - don't recall since I was still on a high, but I think I paid the $25

Maui to Seattle via Hon - no charge and he checked my bags all the way through even though we changed from Hawaiin to Alaska Air.

Avoided the $25 Hawaiin charge and ALL Alaska charges saving me about $75.

Air Canada from Seattle to Winnipeg (through partner airline United) no charge. He wanted to but already had our boarding passes and bag tags printed so he let it slide!

I was crapping when I realized it wasn't an Air Canada flight from Seattle to Vancouver since United can get expensive!!! I'm confident Aerus and its discreet bag saved me lots of $$$. Add extra protection if needed but all my "stuff" arrived safely on both ends and it was handled a lot with all our flight changes!!!

Nice, i know some people flew other airlines down there and i would hate to see the bike charge for that.

The lady at the quantas counter on the way back was super nice also i was over weight and i told her it is what it is i just don't want to deal with them anymore. She ended up not charging me and checking them all the way through so i didn't have to pay midwest either to get back to K.C.

My ticket was only 1300 i think and thats just because i had a narrow range of dates i could leave and come back on. If you take into account bike fees i think it was only 300-400 more than flying to L.A. for sprint nationals lol.

Boy am I jealous of all your nice happy stories.

Flew 'Go' from Honolulu to Kona and the extra charge was $50usd.

On the return flight with 'Go', it was just $35usd but my luggage didn't arrive. That was the 12th October and I am still waiting for my bike and backpack.

Am told they will arrive in my local airport of Queenstown tomorow but not holding my breath as was told that the day before also.

AirNZ picked up the cots of getting it back to NZ since there were 8 of us affected including 2 bikes of Terenzo Bozzone. AirNZ have said they are just doing us a favour getting them back to us at no extra cost so 'hats off to them'.

Can't say I recommend flying 'Go' though.

G.
www.TriathlonShots.com

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http://www.TriathlonShots.com
Full event coverage of triathlon/ironman in photos.

I just got this:
2nd Bag Fee
Air France will introduce a fee for passengers checking in a second bag. The fee will be $50 for all flights departing from the USA
and 50 euros for all flights departing from Europe.
Some exemptions apply.



That is not good.

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Sebastian
SLS3
http://slstri.blogspot.com/

Do you know where/how you can get a Mexican Athletic Federation membership?

No charges to or from Maui with the Aerus case on American Airlines. Flying out of LAX, I was going to check it in at the curb and tip the guy $20-40 because AA charges a $100 for bikes. As I'm waiting in line, a supervisor walks up and asks if that's a bike. I laugh and say, "It probably isn't". To which he responds, "You need to take it inside and check it in at the counter." Defeated, I walked to the counter resigned to the fact I'm going to be paying $120 for my luggage. The counter agent looks at the bike case and asks for $20. I showed him my other piece of luggage and tells me it'll be $50. Sweet! I hand him my credit card as quickly as possible and head to the gate.

Leaving Maui, where there is no curbside check-in and hundreds of athletes all flying home with bikes, I was again resigned to paying the $100. I figured $100 r/t wasn't bad. I'm not sure who the ticket agent was, but he wasn't the least bit interested in charging me, thus making more work for him, the extra $100 for the bike. However, when I arrived that night in LA, no bike. It showed up the next morning and was delivered to my house in perfect condition before noon.

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Shawn
TORRE Consulting Services, LLC
http://www.TORREcs.com

Hardly a surprise to see one of the worst European airlines to be the first doing this, even on international flights...I avoid Air France as much as possible .

This falls into the category "I should have read this thread before making a reservation."

A few weeks ago I flew Delta to Milan to watch the Giro di Lombardia. Delta hit me for $300 at check-in for one bike in a Trico Ironcase. Weather delays getting into Atlanta to make the connection to Milan meant I made the flight but the bike didn't. The bike reached Milan one day after I left Milan and arrived home one day after I did. At least Delta didn't get to nick me for 300 Euros to bring it back. On the other hand, the derailer hanger is bent.

A few weeks ago I flew Delta to Milan to watch the Giro di Lombardia. Delta hit me for $300 at check-in for one bike in a Trico Ironcase. Weather delays getting into Atlanta to make the connection to Milan meant I made the flight but the bike didn't. The bike reached Milan one day after I left Milan and arrived home one day after I did. At least Delta didn't get to nick me for 300 Euros to bring it back. On the other hand, the derailleur hanger is bent.

Sorry to hear that.

If you had read this thread, you would not have flown Delta. When it comes to bikes they are one of the worst airlines out there. Triathletes and cyclists need to start to shop for plane tickets by rewarding the airlines that are reasonable and good about this - Delta is NOT that way. No triathlete/cyclist in their right mind, should choose Delta or any of the other big carriers who gouge and discriminate in this way.

As for the derailleur - always take the rear derailleur off the bike when shipping it. It's an easy one bolt thing to do. This greatly reduces the chances of derailleur and derailleur hanger damage when the bike is being shipped.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

don't remind me - this thread came 5 months to late for my ticket purchase for IMFL.

i've learned my lesson :)

don't remind me - this thread came 5 months to late for my ticket purchase for IMFL.

The problem as I see it is that may use Expedia, Hotwire and similar sites to get tickets. They think they have a great deal on the ticket - and perhaps they do. But what they have failed to do is before booking the ticket, check the small-print on that airlines bike policy.

What I do now is scroll down the Expedia and Hotwire ticket price lists and find an airline that is more bike friendly. Yes I realize that their are route and connection restrictions. And yes you may end up paying a bit more, but say you had paid more $100 more for an airline that had a fixed, for sure, $50 bike fee - you would have broken even or better Vs Delta or other airlines that are insane about this.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

you're making me want to shoot myself! STOP!

:)

A heads up to all those going to COZUMEL...

I took Flaco's advice and am now a card carrying member of the Mexican Athletic Federation ($40). My bike will fly free on Mexicana. I would suggest calling Mexicana directly as many flights are labeled Mexicana but are actually on American Airlines and therefore subject to AA's baggage policy. I paid a bit more for the ticket on Mexicana but will fly direct to Cancun and shouldn't have any surprises when I get to the airport.

Also, there is a travel director in Cozumel that is offering transportation from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, the ferry ride to Cozumel, and then transportation to your hotel in Cozumel. Round trip for this service is $79. His email is roberto@grupointermar.com.

Don't know how I missed REMEMBERING your post, but I nearly paid dearly for it coming out to IMAZ.

I got lucky with the ticket agent in Kansas City who took pity on me and charged me last year's fee of $85.

The bike is going home via FEDEX ground. Dragging luggage that weighs more than you is just that-a drag.

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DFL > DNF > DNS

. Dragging luggage that weighs more than you is just that-a drag.

Hopefully that is not that case. I am guessing the reason that many of the airlines had clamped down on this in the first place and started charging so much more, is that in typical triathlete fashion, it had got totally out of hand, and people were checking in bike cases the size and weight of a Hummer! I once was flying home from IMC a few years ago, and it took three strong men to pick up this one womans bike case and put in on the belt. Had to have weighed well over 100 lbs. Crazy.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I am getting out of the sport because of how crazy it has gotten with fees, it takes the fun out of it.

Frontier was good to me, they only ever charged me 50 percent of the time. And even checked my bike 10 min before the flight takeoff various times.

wouldn't the proper response to over-weight bike cases be to simply raise the fees for excess weight?

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run well, run happy
george

My Trico hard-shell case had 1 extra small-size Kuota K-Factor and wheels. Nothing more; not even a bike pump. 14 lb bike and a 30 lb case, plus a duffel bag carrying my helmet, clothes, etc. makes for a heavy load when you're barely 5 feet tall, 50 years old, and slightly over 100 lbs.

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DFL > DNF > DNS

I registered on October 14th and I received "Inscripci�n al evento AFILIACION FMTRI 2009" email on the 15th, but I have yet to receive the "hologram" or any physical mailing alluded to in the web address above.

I fly out on Thursday for IM Cozumel. Should I just print out the welcome email and Mexicana will accept that?

Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.

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Swim - Bike - Run the rest is just clothing changes.

A great and informative thread.

Based on my foreign and domestic travel, a few quick observations:

1. Air France should be listed at the bottom. I flew them via continental and was initially charged 100 dollars going and then they charged me 100 euros (yes euros) when leaving Italy. I had French company staff quoting one thing and the Italian staff quoting another.
2. Demanding to watch TSA inspect bike cases will not always work. In some airports they inspect in enclosed areas not available to the public. Push come to shove, they win, security trumps your perceived needs to watch them work.
3. Remember that airlines staff and TSA staff perhaps see bike cases less then 5 percent of the time. Make things easy to inspect and lock all things down as best you can will make life easier on both sides of the fence. If your bag is crammed with clothes and other items, you are setting yourself up for frustration to receive your bag with things in the wrong place. I used to put clothes in the large zip lock bags. I do not do this any more. The less in the case, the better. Aside from the bike, I have a pump, helmet, bike shoes, and a small plastic case for tools,etc. Everthing is easy to see and visually inspect.
4. I use a tri all three hard case and wheel case. I zip tie every thing so nothing moves (long zip ties available at home depot) - this dissuades TSA from taking things out of the case. Make sure you have sufficient zip ties for the round trip. The seat is in a plastic bag, zip ties to the inside of the case.
5. Use pipe insulation cut to conform to your frame, wheel brackets etc, this will protect your frame (again home depot or your favorite home improvement store). I zip tie the pedal wrench, enclosed in pipe insulation to the real wheel stay, I zip tie a silca track pump, enclosed in pipe insulation to my top tube that is also covered with pipe insulation.
6. Put all loose tools etc in a small clear plastic cover locking container - TSA can then look at the contents without opening and things are not moving around, potentially getting lost. I have actually bolted a small plastic container to the bottom of my bike case so TSA can not take it out of the box.
7. If you can, try to avoid flying through Newark before leaving the country or entering the country, which is often times hard if flying oversees. The Newark airlines crew managing baggage and the TSA staff that work there are, relative to other airports, brutal with bike cases. I have gotten a new tri-all three from continental due to the damage received flying through Newark.
8. If you travel with products such as Hammer Heed etc., purchase the individual packages rather than put the product in plastic containers. Otherwise, you will have dogs and other folks checking your case out.

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Doing Du's since 1987.

Unfortunately, some of the information on this thread may not be accurate.

Swiss Airlines: Bikes fly free (as do skis and other "sports equipment")

JetBlue: have had multiple different fees--$50 each way, $100 each way, $100 plus $50 overweight fee one way then $50 return trip, $25 plus $20 overweight fee, or no charge either way.

Bottom line is check with airline before you buy ticket or at least before you arrive at the airport. Get regulation number to quote to ticketing clerk as frequently he/she or his/her supervisor does not know. Sometimes I think they just make this stuff up.

Spirit charged me $75 on the flight out of Detroit as long as the case was under 50 pounds on the way back the curbside guy in myrtle beach only charged us $25.

TSA did take a look in my case thankfully they got everything back in okay.

How long did it take to get your card once you registered?

It has been 5 weeks and I still have not received anything but a welcome email.

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Swim - Bike - Run the rest is just clothing changes.

do you have any pictures of your setup you could share? best post I've read on this...

The photos below are for the original Velo Safe Pro series case that I donated to our tri club. I also have a compact velo safe pro series that I personally use and I have put a smaller sized plastic container in the bottom of the case. I drilled holes in the case and container and fastened the containers with self fastening screws (that have plastic on the threads) and nuts. The head of the screws are on the outside of the case. In addition to the fasteners on the container, I am able to wrap large rubber bands or Velcro straps around the containers to ensure they stay closed. I hope this helps.

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Doing Du's since 1987.

brilliant! thanks so much for sharing!

I used the Aerus Biospeed bike case and only had to pay for extra bags. I took three bikes from Kona only paying $80. We flew go! inter-island and Continental to the mainland. Once I was asked what it was and I replied "luggage". At only 30 pounds with tri bike, helmet and shoes, they never really suspected a bike inside. However, the other triathletes that were getting dinged for fees gave me some dirty looks. They didn't rat me out however so may the tri karma gods be favorable to them.

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Director - Checkmate Triathlon Team
Intelligent Racing
Draft, baby, draft.

sure would be nice If we ha a moderator put and update a header message with each airlines current written policy with links if possible. That way we can print the policy so when an under trained ticket agent overcharges we can stop them. Also there is allot said that USAT and USC need to speak for us and specifically ask airlines to step forward with plain english policy. They additionally need to explain that each airline's policy will be scrutinized by XXXXXX members and their families, and also would greatly affect their non event travel due to mileage programs. Also it needs to be pointed out that we are Not hamburger flippers, that we as a group do effect company travel at many levels.

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2008 S-2, 2010 P-4

I'm heading to Cozumel and am interested in flying Mexicana.

The Mexican Athletic Federation website says $350 for the membership. I think, I don't speak spanish though.

Piece of advice: when buying your ticket, do your research on partner airlines in addition to the one you are considering.

In late October, I flew from Denmark to the US (connected through Amsterdam). I was orginally looking at Delta tickets because I wanted the Skymiles and the ticket was very cheap. But I was also considering traveling with a bike and knew that Delta charges $300 each way for international flights. The solution? Buy the same flight through a partner airline, in this case KLM. Same flights, same ticket price, but much more favorable bike policies. In fact, on most international tickets, you can check two pieces of luggage with a bike being one of them at no additional cost. There policy is here:
http://www.klm.com/..._baggage/index.htm#2

In sum, I got the flights I wanted at the price I wanted, but managed to avoid $600 (at least) in fees for the bike.

Edit: I guess it might depend on which airline is actually operating the flight. Either way, I would have done the same thing I did...call KLM, confirm their policy, purchase the ticket, and print out the policy in case questions were asked when traveling.

This thread has sufficiently scared me. I started a "which case" thread and was directed to this thread. I am going to be flying to California, on Southwest, in about 2 months and am going to be taking my P2C with me. I am looking at buying a Trico Iron Case, best case I have found for the money and the easiest to live with, size wise, when it is not in use (live in an apt now and next year, back to school for Masters and a dorm in England) but seeing all of these posts about the hassles involved in transporting the bike through airports, I might think about UPSing it to the address a few days before I depart.

Southwest is the cheapest. $50 each way, so only $100 total roundtrip.

A friend of mine who is in customer service at United said flatly, "The reason who bikes are charged and golf clubs are not is because golfers write letters. Triathletes and cyclists have never complained in large numbers to us so we keep charging you guys. The golfers, golf magazines, internet sites, blogs were all hammering us and we stopped charging for golf clubs (outside of a regular bag fee)."

Her suggestion:
Start a letter writing campaign with a standard, professionally written letter suggesting change in the rules. 1st class on United and American "never" should pay for a bike according to her. Letters should go to the corporate offices of the airlines. DO NOT complain to the agents at the airport. Their job is to process our arse and move us along, not make policy.

The last two times I flew the supervisor at American looked at me and said, "Its a shame that bag is over weight. I have to charge you for that." She charged me $50 instead of the $120. (Her son is a triathlete and it was my lucky day to get her.)

Flying with a bike is always interesting. I've had mostly good experiences because I am always super nice and make it easy for the line worker to get their crap done and move on. They don't want to hold me up. If you make it easy on 'em things can move quickly. Unless you get the bored TSA supervisor (Memphis for me one May) where he was using a flashlight to search down each tube. I asked him if he was going to search every bike like that. He said he did. My bike case was litterally all over the TSA floor. Just then a truck pulls up with bike cases and he looks at me and says, "get out of here" followed by an explative.

There are also a LOT more golfers than triathletes to write letters... Not saying we shouldn't do it, but that's definitely a factor. I think it's worth pursuing.

Any suggestions on the best online petition site? Or should it just be individual letters? I.e., should I make one petition, get a lot of folks to sign it, and then send it? Or should I draft a pro forma letter and post it on the front page with a list of the various addresses to send it to? I'm open to doing either...

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"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

We might be able to get more signatures from cyclists and tour riders if we had an online petition. Give me a night to research this and I'll PM you. If we start this on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, get bike shops and manufacturers involved (etc) it may make a difference.

thanks. You point me the right direction, and we will attack!

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"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

There are also a LOT more golfers than triathletes to write letters... Not saying we shouldn't do it, but that's definitely a factor. I think it's worth pursuing.

JR,

I write letters all the time - but that's just me. Have written to various airlines over the years about lousy service( in a nice way) and given praise when service has been extraordinary.

Agree though that the numbers of triathletes and cyclists traveling by air with their bikes is a drop in the bucket compared to golfers with golf clubs.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Apparently United was kind enough to break one of Hillary Biscay's spokes en route to Langkawi, Malaysia. And the allen key she planned to use for her pedals "mysteriously disappeared" from her bike box in transit.

If United weren't the only option to that part of the world...

http://hillarybiscay.com/wordpress/?p=2257

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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.

A suggestion to reach the most number of possible letter writers or individuals to sign an online petition might be a call to action in popular biking magazines. I'm quite certain any cycling mag would print such a call to action. A start would be Bicycling, VeloNews, and Triathlete Magazine.

In the mean time, consider trying this bike bag. I haven't used it but it sure seems like it should work.

http://www.rustersports.com/...tuemart&Itemid=9

Nobody except TJ has used it. It *just* became for sale this week! But I think it looks great for basically every airline. Only time it *might* cost you more is if an airline charged more for your third bag than for a bike.

On southwest, you pay the same: $50 bike or $50 for 3rd bag.

On united: $125 for third bag vs. $175 for bike saves you $50 each trip. You still pay $60 for first two bags regardless.

The really big savings will come if you can travel without a checked bag, which is easier for cyclists than for triathletes with wetsuits, etc.

The other really nice option will be if some airlines let you bring the wheels are a carry on bag. THAT would be huge. Take the cassette off, though, in my experience.

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"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

As another alternative I checked into the USAT sponsored (or other way around) bike shipping company and got a quote for shipping two bikes in a double case from San Diego to Chicago and back. Here is the quote I recieved:

San Diego to Lincolnwood $185
Lincolnwood to San Diego $175

Transit time approx. 4-5 business days!

Insurance is 1% of the value each way.


Here is more info: http://www.usatriathlon.org/pages/6867

Delta is up to $200 now??

Bicycle Transport Fees Destination Fee For travel within the United States, to/from Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico 200 USD/CAD*


http://www.delta.com/..._equipment/index.jsp

Flew Airtran the other day, emailed them in flight about bike fees, here is the response
,

Non motorized bicycles with single seat will be accepted for carriage with a fee of $79.00 provided the bike is packed in a box by the customer and the handlebars and pedals are removed and stored to prevent damage. Bicycles must be packed in a box with no part of the vehicle exposed. Bicycles not properly packaged will not be accepted.

Please follow the link below to view our complete baggage policy.

http://www.airtran.com/...arry-on_checked.aspx

So based on everything I can find, the USAirways code appears to be no longer valid - anybody getting anything different?

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-
My tiny little slice of the internets: dcrainmaker.com

Perhaps United pays attention to Facebook... as of today United has reduced bike fees from $175 to $100. That still doesn't quite feel reasonable to me, but it's a step in the right direction. What would be reasonable to me is a $50 fee, paid in cash directly to the baggage person who has to squeeze the case into the hold of the CRJ-200.

-Mark

Flew V Australia from LAX-Sydney and Virgin Blue, their domestic partner to Port Macquarie in March for Ironman OZ. Also, did a leg up to the Gold Coast and back after the race and then back to LA. I used my new Aerus Biospeed case and paid zero on the entire trip, and the bike came through unscathed through it all. I did take Fleck's suggestion and reinforced the outside of the case by putting sheets of Surlyn (a foam-backed plastic) between the wheels and the outside panels on each side.

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My business-eBodyboarding.com

Not only is Delta up to $200, but they will charge you that even if you have a folding bike or bike with S&S couplers that fits in a STANDARD size piece of luggage! A Facebook group has sprung up to protest this:

http://www.facebook.com/...?gid=112890122055964

If the airlines want to charge more for bikes that are oversize that is one thing, but charging more based on what is inside a standard size luggage case is ridiculous. If they are worried about damage claims, then let me buy insurance at a reasonable price, or let me risk it, but don't screw over cyclists just because there is a bike in the case!

Kevin

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~Kevin

well done!

another thumbs up for this thread. I'm back again this year to check on updates and will post my experiences to add to the knowledge base.

cheers, jason
new zealand

flew from minneapolis/st. Paul (AA) to chicago to Tokyo (JAL) and reverse.

no fee. free of charge. and the bike was safe (with aerus biospeed bag)

the guy at MSP didn't even ask what's in it. just told to bring the bag 'there' to check in, 'cause it's big.
the lady at NRT asked if it's a bike right away. did say yes with a huge smile. and she started to do some caluc on the fee.
told her i did't pay a thing coming to japan nicely and quickly changed the subject talking about how beautiful the country is and what not while she is busy doing some math. in the end, she seemed to acknowledge the fact that people should be able to bring their recreational equipment for whatever the destinations and that, air carriers should support that. because...

we are the paying CUSTOMER!

thought that was very refreshing.

in the end, she waived the fee. and i asked how much it would been.
she said, somewhere in the 'hood of $600! not sure if she was joking...

Totally agree, the US seems to punish cases more than any other country. My buddy had a hole put into his disc as well when flying US-UK last year.

From the UK BA seems to be ok, sometimes they try and charge me �50 but not all the time...especially if the bike box is my only piece of check in luggage.

On a recent trip I flew British Midland Scotland-London, BA London-Calgary and WestJet Calgary-Vancouver. Each time the box was my only piece of check in luggage and each time I wasn't charged. That said WestJet then went on to lose the bag for 5 days but it turned up eventually...in Holland.

If in Europe, I'd do my best to fly BA, they seem to be sympathetic but if the distance is drivable...take the car!

If the airlines want to charge more for bikes that are oversize that is one thing, but charging more based on what is inside a standard size luggage case is ridiculous. If they are worried about damage claims, then let me buy insurance at a reasonable price, or let me risk it, but don't screw over cyclists just because there is a bike in the case!

I am not sure why they have it out for B-I-K-E no matter how it's packed. I get it that the bag/box might be a bit bigger. But is it $200 more dollars worth of bigger or more awkward for the them to handle. Agreed on the insurance end of it - set a reasonable fee for that, and I would gladly pay a reasonable amount for insurance. One would think that $200 would be more the a enough, but if you read the fine print on the waiver, you pay $200, and you release the airline from any responsibility for damage!!

When gas prices were high two years ago the airlines were going on and on about, it's all about weight - heavier luggage, means a heavier plane, means more fuel burned to get off the ground. I get that. It's easy to understand that. Well, if it's really all about weight, then make it all about weight. Smart, triathletes who travel a lot, typically don't pack a ton of weight along with them - and here's where we can get into all sorts of trouble, are most often much lighter than the average person, so why then, if it's all about weight, are we getting nailed with all the extra surcharges??

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I have always said that they should charge on a per lb/kilo basis. You show up to the airport and you and your bags all step on the scale at the same time. Voila...no one knows how much you weigh but instead the combined weight of you and your bags. It rewards people who are heavier but are light packers and rewards people who are heavy packers but possibly lighter.... :)

I have now used my Aerus bike case 4 times (8 flights). Traveled to and from Clearwater & Cozumel without any charge (except standard $20-25 baggage fee). However, I have been charged oversize on the outbound leg of my trips to Lanzarote and New Orleans, but had no charge on the return flights. Both of these were on Delta and paid $175 each. While under the weight limit, the Delta reps actually measured my bag and said it was over the HxWxL limit and charged me oversize. Delta was not willing to help or compromise in any way. My recommendation: AVOID DELTA! they are extremely bike unfriendly.

so my total so far: 8 flights, 2 charges, $350 total.

Just got back from racing in Germany, so took a flight from my home town of Toronto to Frankfurt.

Used Air Transat, a Canadian airline, and paid extra for their 'club' class.

Looking to get the bike fee waived, I flirted with the gay check-in dude at the airport before asking if he could be waive the fee. He chuckled and hand wrote a charge for $30. Sweet. I was so expecting to once again pay 3 figures. And I made a new friend. With benefits.

On the way back I was intending the same game plan. The very hot German check-in chick spoke to me in German (I'm blonde and blue-eyed). I said, "Sorry, I don't speak German". She said, "Why not?" and laughed nervously when she realized it was a kind of a borderline un-professional reply. I decided not to flirt with her, but rather let that little bit of tension ride. She didn't mention anything about a bike fee. Extra sweet.

Was it the airline? Was it circumstance?

Ironically, the taxi driver of the mini-van from the airport to my home insisted on charging me an extra $12 coz I had a bike case. No tip for you. Mouth-breather didn't even know what a triathlon was. And had to use a calculator to add the base fee of $44 to the extra $12 fee to figure out the total. No kidding.

Maybe I should have flirted with him.

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Advocating for research & treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
http://www.meaction.net/about/what-is-me/

"Suck it up, Buttercup"
(me, to myself, every day)

i did the [raise eyebrows] thing while innocently semi-fingering a $20 when i had a cardboard bike box with my bike (of course) and a medium sized kiteboard bag totally stuffed full (definitely over 50#).

i was absolutely mentally ok with $50, but i was hoping he would let the second overweight but just barely legal dimension-wise bag go, but resigned that i might pay $100.

i mentioned those were my two bags, and i "wasnt sure" if they were oversized as i laid the Benjie on the counter. he said "oh they're fine" took the twenty and away i went.

stay away from the straight-laced ladies inside and try to get the groove going with the tip-hungry sky caps outside.

this was southwest of course. the best airline out there. i highly doubt this could be pulled off with any of the more uptight carriers.

I just wanted to add that when I travelled with my spouse to Orlando from Ottawa this April, we checked once bike bag each and another bag and we were not charged the $50 bike fee on either flight. Both of our bike bags were under 50lbs. I realize that this may not be norm, but it was a pleasant surprise!!

TS

We traveled from Ottawa with Air Canada to Europe. We were carrying two Akona Biospeed Bike Bags under 50 lbs. That was our registered luggages and we had each a small backpack and small handbag.

When doing the Self-Service Registration, I checked the "No bike" option.

-Ottawa agent: What's in the bag?
-Me: Multisports Equipment
-Ottawa agent: What's that?
-Wife: Triathlon Equipment
-Ottawa agent: Ok

She did not charge us anything even if oversized.

Then, in Europe

-Agent: What's in the bag?
-Me: Multisports equipment
-Agent: Is there a bike in the bag?
-Me: Bike parts and Multisports equipment.

No charge again. We saved $200. ($50 each bike, each way)

GOOD
USAirways: FREE on roundtrip tickets for WTC races (with coupon IRONMAN01), otherwise $100

Guys, how do I get the Ironman coupon to apply. I'm trying to book a trip in Nov from San Jose CA where I will be for work to Clearwater. If I book on Expedia, I don't see where I apply the code. Any input? US Airways seems to have a good connection option through Phoenix (San Jose-Phoenix-Tampa).

Dev

My most recent flight experience: a one-way Business Class ticket on Air Canada (booked on points for fewer points than an economy ticket!) from St John's Nfld to Vancouver, BC.

Air Canada charges a standard flat rate of $50 for bicycles, and I was wondering if they would hit me with an overweight fee as well - my bike with all the bags was probably over 80lbs (it was ~95 at touring weight, but I got rid of a lot of stuff before flying). AC also has a policy where you must arrange to ship anything heavier than 70lbs via AC Cargo - an experience I was not too keen on trying out.

I showed up at the airport with the bike as is, and they made me turn the handlebars sideways and remove the pedals, and place it into one of those gigantic plastic bags. They charged me nothing. No bike fee or no overweight fee. I think that this is because I had a Business Class ticket. Still, I'd have been happy to have paid $50 to fly my bike assuming that they treated it with some semblance of respect.

Upon arrival in Vancouver my bike was essentially unscathed - one of the bottle cages was a little bent. The panniers did a good job of protecting the wheels and R derailleur, and the frame was undamaged. I put the pedals back on. turned the handlebars straight and rode away.

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<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
Proud member of the Smartasscrew, MONSTER CLUB
Get your FIX today?

Dev, I used the code when booking DIRECTLY from USAir's website for IMAZ last year. I don't know if it applies from Expedia.

Make sure you get the email voucher they describe. You will have to present it to the ticket agent to get the bike through free.

Sue

I used Jet blue this weekend. $50 each way. Bring the a print out of their policy. Other than the print out we had not issues.

I tried the same thing and couldn't find it anywhere. I called USAir directly, and they said that they were unaware of any deals like that anymore. She knew that at once it did exist, but apparently it doesn't anymore. Sucks.

Thanks for the update. I guess I will nix US Scareways and United off the list even though they have 1 stop options. Looks like South West gives me decent 1 stop connections through Vegas or Phoenix too and they charge $50. That being said, I have had good luck with my Akona case on United and using the Star Alliance Gold check in counter

Sitting here @sfo waiting for my flight to dew. Very pleasantly surprised to only be charged $100 for the bike. And they didn't even weigh it. I think it helped to have a late afternoon flight. The guy said they don't staff the oversized desk later in the day.

clm

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

Strikes me some of these policies have changed recently with lower fuel prices...is this info updated elsewhere?

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Swim - ( x ) All good ( ) In the shop
Bike - ( x ) All good ( ) In the shop
Run - ( ) All good ( x ) In the shop

Not that I know of. We'll see what they charge on Monday on the return. I kept the receipt if they try to charge a different price.

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

Just travelled to UK then Hungary.return to Edmonton Canada.
Bike charge by AC $0 (to Edinburgh, with transfer to BMI from LHR)
BMI charged 60GBP, flight via Brussels (Brussels airline connection to Budapest).
On return from Budapest to Canada charged 33, 000 HUF ($CAN160) by Lufthansa.

"I used Jet blue this weekend. $50 each way. Bring the a print out of their policy. Other than the print out we had not issues."

What type of case did you use? According to their policy, a triall3 case would exceed their maximum dimension allowance and would not be permitted on board no matter the weight or how much you pay? I'm asking becuase I can't imagine that this is actually the case and I'm flying them tomorrow with my bike and going to show up early and hope for the best. Will definitley not be bringing a copy of their policy for them to review in this case.

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I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!