I’m flying American Airlines for IMCDA next week and am not sure what the best method is for getting my wheels there safely. I have a double bag that does a good job as long as you are moderately safe with it, but I don’t know if they will allow it as a carryon. If it isn’t a carryon, then I dont get to take any clothes because then my bike box and my wheel bag are my two checked items. I have a Trico ironcase for packing the bike, but I don’t think the wheels would be safe in there. Thoughts?
You can always ship either the wheels or your clothes separately.
I believe with American, you will be charged $80 each way for the bike box, so it will not count against your two pieces of checked luggage.
I believe with American, you will be charged $80 each way for the bike box, so it will not count against your two pieces of checked luggage.
I wouldn’t be too sure of that. They will charge the $80 AND also count is as part of your 2 pieces of checked bags. And if you have a third, they will ding you for additional baggage.
clm
I wish that were the case. From their website:
- If this item is in excess of the number of pieces allowed in the free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges apply in addition to the $80 special items fee
Honestly, I just wonder if I can get my wheel bag on as a carry-on or attendant checked at the gate?
why wouldn’t your race wheels be fine in the Trico? It’s designed to carry a bike with a pair of wheels.
Only because I’ve never done it and I’m a worry wort. 
I’d like to do that and be done with it, but I’ve never packed this particular case with this particular bike and wheelset.
They’ll be fine…unless you’re trying to pack a tandem into that case! 
I always bring my race wheels as a carry on, they fit in the overhead bin of the MD-90 or 737-757. Not sure about the regionaljet. maybe you could gate check that. I would not just check the wheels in with the rest. but that’s me.
I just flew from San Diego to Orlando for Disney 70.3. I wanted to carry my wheels on, but decided at the last minute not to. Good thing, when I got on the plane, they told me I was not allowed. My flight from San Diego to Orlando, no charge for my bike. The girl said she had some friends that raced Tri’s and didn’t want to charge me. When I flew from orlando back, well, that was a different story. I had another bag with me, making my total 3 for checked bags. Well, I got hit $100 for my bike, and $50 for having an extra bag. I was pretty lerry of having my wheels and bike checked, more so of the fact that the insurance they give you wont cover enough to replacec all of it. Oh, I was flying Delta if anyone cares.
I’m flying American Airlines for IMCDA next week and am not sure what the best method is for getting my wheels there safely. I have a double bag that does a good job as long as you are moderately safe with it, but I don’t know if they will allow it as a carryon. If it isn’t a carryon, then I dont get to take any clothes because then my bike box and my wheel bag are my two checked items. I have a Trico ironcase for packing the bike, but I don’t think the wheels would be safe in there. Thoughts?
I’ve had good luck packing the wheels scedurely in a cardboard box and gate-checking them. When you go through security, just leave the box open, and ask TSA to inspect them manually. Drop them off before you board, and pick them up, safe and sound, as you deplane. The stowage compartment for gate-checked baggage is separate from the main baggage compartment, so you won’t need to worry about the box being crushed by the forty sets of golf clubs that are flying for free alongside your bike.
cramer
I wouldn’t be too sure of that. They will charge the $80 AND also count is as part of your 2 pieces of checked bags. And if you have a third, they will ding you for additional baggage.
clm