Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?

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2009-06-30 5:51 PM

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Subject: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
http://usatriathlon.org/content/index/6729 

OMG...I cannot believe they are advocating a soft-sided case.  I've seen airline luggage handlers handle luggage...a soft-sided case is DEAD MEAT!  I don't think I could ever put my bike on an airplane in anything other than a hard-sided case...

2009-06-30 7:51 PM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?

The thing to remember is an airport is a government operation.  They could muck up a steel ball that is incased in a steel ball.  So I'm not sure it really matters because they'll destroy it either way.  For the cost of flying a bike which I have been looking into since my GF is in Chicago for the summer and I thought about flying up to do a triathlon while I'm there, they should give it massages with a happy ending.  $175-200 one way.  Round trip plane ticket from Atlanta to Chicago and back - $230.  I just need to find a cadaver to smuggle my bike in and I'll be good.

Now I didn't read all of the article but I'd use that if I traveled a lot and it fit under a certain dimension that would allow you to check it as a regular bag.

On on sucks to be us side I think I read where some airlines are discussing allowing people to bring their golf bags/clubs free of charge to increase business.  Makes sense since I guess a lot of business people play golf and I think golf is Latin for "brown noser".

2009-06-30 7:58 PM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I read it and pondered what they said. I've traveled with my bike and watched them load it onto the plane.....clunk clunk.

Fly Southwest and bikes are only $50 each way. I will travel with my bike 3x this year and all on Southwest.
2009-06-30 8:42 PM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I've heard a lot of good about Southwest but unfortunately it only flies to Midway Chicago and doesn't come close to Atlanta.  That'd $50 each way would be sweet!

Did read on Southwest's website about their bike policy and here is what they wrote.
Non-motorized Bicycles, including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, will be accepted in substitution of a free piece of checked baggage at no additional charge provided the bicycle is properly packaged and the box containing the bicycle fits within the 62-inch sizing limit and weighs 50 lbs or less . (Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage). The handlebars, kickstand, and pedals must be removed and placed inside the box. A $50.00 each-way charge applies to bicycles that don’t meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item.

Infact maybe I'm reading it wrong but if you don't check a bag it'd be free???
2009-06-30 8:56 PM
in reply to: #2254653

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
ATLsbr - 2009-06-30 8:42 PM I've heard a lot of good about Southwest but unfortunately it only flies to Midway Chicago and doesn't come close to Atlanta.  That'd $50 each way would be sweet!

Did read on Southwest's website about their bike policy and here is what they wrote.
Non-motorized Bicycles, including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, will be accepted in substitution of a free piece of checked baggage at no additional charge provided the bicycle is properly packaged and the box containing the bicycle fits within the 62-inch sizing limit and weighs 50 lbs or less . (Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage). The handlebars, kickstand, and pedals must be removed and placed inside the box. A $50.00 each-way charge applies to bicycles that don’t meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item.

Infact maybe I'm reading it wrong but if you don't check a bag it'd be free???


Yes, but ONLY if it meets the size requirement...and you probably can't find a hard-sided bike case that is 62 total inches...
2009-06-30 8:58 PM
in reply to: #2254511

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
ATLsbr - 2009-06-30 7:51 PM

The thing to remember is an airport is a government operation.  They could muck up a steel ball that is incased in a steel ball.  So I'm not sure it really matters because they'll destroy it either way.  For the cost of flying a bike which I have been looking into since my GF is in Chicago for the summer and I thought about flying up to do a triathlon while I'm there, they should give it massages with a happy ending.  $175-200 one way.  Round trip plane ticket from Atlanta to Chicago and back - $230.  I just need to find a cadaver to smuggle my bike in and I'll be good.

Now I didn't read all of the article but I'd use that if I traveled a lot and it fit under a certain dimension that would allow you to check it as a regular bag.

On on sucks to be us side I think I read where some airlines are discussing allowing people to bring their golf bags/clubs free of charge to increase business.  Makes sense since I guess a lot of business people play golf and I think golf is Latin for "brown noser".



You are looking at Delta flights, right?  ATL is their hub.  Delta is charging ludicrous amounts for a bike...$175 each way.  Try American...they only charge $100 each way.  And as Kathy said....Southwest...but to fly them you need to live near one of their airports...which most of us unfortunately do not.


2009-06-30 9:05 PM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I have yet to travel with my bike, but I'm having a hard time comprehending how they can justify charging $200 each way for my 17 pound bike when half the people on the flight are 50 or more pounds overweight.

What about the 400 pound person who is spilling into three seats, including mine??  Oh, you can't say anything about them, that wouldn't be politically correct.  They have hand to mouth disease.
2009-07-01 7:14 AM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I know a few athletes who travel regularly with their bikes and about half of them travel either using the cardboard box from the bike store or a soft case.  Two of the elite athletes I have travelled with both use soft cases and I have quizzed them extensively about the soft cae (because I'm looking to buy a case instead of rent/borrow) and neither has ever had a problem.

Shane
2009-07-01 7:59 AM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
for the cost of it, i'd think shippin overnite would be cheaper than airline fees and potential damage
2009-07-01 8:50 AM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?

IMHO, my first move is to a major tri shop or bike shop that is sponsoring the race.  Some have shipping deals.  You can go to Inside Out Sports and for a race like say, IM-USA in Lake Placid, they'll pack up ship your bike for you.  You pay a fee, but I don't think it's any more than what an airline would charge.  Outside of that I would look long and hard at FedEx or UPS before trusting my bike to an airline.  Insurance claims from shipping carriers would be an easier route than an airline if the worst should happen as well.

2009-07-01 9:02 AM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I fly with my bike a few times a year, and I've always used a soft case. I've never had any damage. However my case is still over the 62" requirement. As for the fees, Delta seems to be the worst.

scott

2009-07-01 9:23 AM
in reply to: #2255380

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
yaqui - 2009-07-01 9:02 AM I fly with my bike a few times a year, and I've always used a soft case. I've never had any damage. However my case is still over the 62" requirement. As for the fees, Delta seems to be the worst. scott


I'm just in AWE that the bike could come through undamaged in a soft-sided case.   What kind of padding and such does it have?  And what do you have to remove to get it to fit in your case?
2009-07-01 9:27 AM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I'm flying Southwest to RI with my bike ... I can handle the $50 one way (I'm being driven back).  I personally wouldn't chance it with a soft case...
2009-07-01 11:18 AM
in reply to: #2255462

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
jldicarlo - 2009-07-01 6:23 AM

yaqui - 2009-07-01 9:02 AM I fly with my bike a few times a year, and I've always used a soft case. I've never had any damage. However my case is still over the 62" requirement. As for the fees, Delta seems to be the worst. scott


I'm just in AWE that the bike could come through undamaged in a soft-sided case.   What kind of padding and such does it have?  And what do you have to remove to get it to fit in your case?


The padding is thick foam. The wheels come off and go in padded pockets on each side. The bike is fastened to a metal frame at the front fork and rear dropouts. The handlebars need to be rotated down. If my bikes weren't so large (61), I wouldn't need to rotate the handlebars down. Everything else stays in tact.

It's a SciCon aero case. The same case most of the pro teams use.

The outside of the case shows plenty of wear from the rough handling at airports, but never a scratch on any of my bikes. It has much more padding then any of the hard cases I've seen, and the bike is more secure then most of the hard cases.

scott
2009-07-01 12:22 PM
in reply to: #2254320

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Subject: RE: Has anyone seen this USAT article on traveling with their bike?
I'll be flying Northwest in October, they sound like they are discouraging me from send my bike with them.  No price until I get to the checkin to measure the size and weight; no option for insurance, no guarantee on arrival (like luggage).

I read the USAT article, but I'm leary about send my bike with the airlines.  Other options seem to upwards of $400 round trip.  Anyone ever use UPS?
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