Bikes on planes

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I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live in Carolina)
to visit my family. And I want to take my mountain bike along and do a
ride with the old club while I'm there.

Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able to get their
bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge, but this is no longer the
case. :-3(

Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for various airlines
concerning taking a packed, ready to ship bike on their planes? Or would
shipping UPS be cheaper than all of them?

TIA

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

So ChriszCorner@webtv.net (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") says:

>I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live in Carolina)
>to visit my family. And I want to take my mountain bike along and do a
>ride with the old club while I'm there.
>
>Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able to get their
>bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge, but this is no longer the
>case. :-3(
>
>Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for various airlines
>concerning taking a packed, ready to ship bike on their planes? Or would
>shipping UPS be cheaper than all of them?
>

I went Vancouver, BC to Orlando, Fl. a earlier this year and UPS would
have been over $100 cheaper if I had had time to do it that way.

jeffb

ps
I've got a bike bag used once for cheap.

In article <28387-407F0EA3-251@storefull-3172.bay.webtv.net>,
ChriszCorner@webtv.net (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote:

> I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live in Carolina)
> to visit my family. And I want to take my mountain bike along and do a
> ride with the old club while I'm there.
>
> Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able to get their
> bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge, but this is no longer the
> case. :-3(
>
> Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for various airlines
> concerning taking a packed, ready to ship bike on their planes? Or would
> shipping UPS be cheaper than all of them?

If you can get your hands on a corporate rate, FedEx may be cheap.
About 8 years ago, I shipped a MTB frame (and form - no other stuff).
Cost just $17 for 2nd day air Delaware to Nevada. I wager sending
ground would cost less than $60 each way.

Not the Karl Orff wrote:

> In article <28387-407F0EA3-251@storefull-3172.bay.webtv.net>,
> ChriszCorner@webtv.net (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote:
>
>> I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live in
>> Carolina) to visit my family. And I want to take my mountain bike
>> along and do a ride with the old club while I'm there.
>>
>> Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able to get
>> their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge, but this is no
>> longer the case. :-3(
>>
>> Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for various airlines
>> concerning taking a packed, ready to ship bike on their planes? Or
>> would shipping UPS be cheaper than all of them?
>
> If you can get your hands on a corporate rate, FedEx may be cheap.
> About 8 years ago, I shipped a MTB frame (and form - no other stuff).
> Cost just $17 for 2nd day air Delaware to Nevada. I wager sending
> ground would cost less than $60 each way.

Fedex Ground *is* cheapest. I've gone coast to coast several times for less
than $30.

As far as airlines go, I've been quoted anywhere from $40 each way, to $75 *per
leg.* Strangely, it's often free on overseas flights. The Adventure Cycling
and Bikeleague deals have been on-again, off-again too. The only way to know
for sure is to ask about the charges when you shop for your tickets, and figure
it all into the total cost. I wish there was a simple answer, but I really
believe there isn't one.

George Farnsworth, who posts here, keeps track with his BikeAccess website:

http://www.gfarnsworth.com/BikeAccess/default.cfm?

However, this stuff is always in flux.

Matt O.

"Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"" <ChriszCorner@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:28387-407F0EA3-251@storefull-3172.bay.webtv.net...

> I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live in Carolina)
> to visit my family. And I want to take my mountain bike along and do a
> ride with the old club while I'm there.
>
> Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able to get their
> bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge, but this is no longer the
> case. :-3(
>
> Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for various airlines
> concerning taking a packed, ready to ship bike on their planes? Or would
> shipping UPS be cheaper than all of them?

LAW still has two airlines that have bikes fly free, America West and
Frontier.
See http://www.bikeleague.org/flyfree.htm . Same deal with IMBA,
http://www.imba.com/membership/bikes_fly_free.html . There used to be seven
airlines that had this deal.

Note that they say that you have to book through a specific travel agency,
but in practice many people have found that this isn't always required, see:
http://www.gfarnsworth.com/BikeAccess/Articles_db.cfm?Search=%2BAirlines%2CF
rontier%2C*&Article=Bikes%20Fly%20Free

You might be better off renting a bike, if it's only for a one day ride.
Probably will cost you $30-40 (why is renting a bicycle more expensive than
renting a car?).

My experience has been that the airlines are flexible (so are the planes,
BTW). I've managed to avoid the charge if I have no checked luggage other
than the bike. (I stuff the case as much as I can and take carryons, or give
a bag to a travelling companion to check.) You have to be prepared to haggle
a bit.

I saw in some FTA or FAA official document once that airlines are not
allowed to charge extra just because it's a bike. But arguing FAA
regulations with the person at the checkin is not a winner. They know that
for $60 you're not going to take them to court. It's much better to make
nice and try to get them on your side.

YMMV

Chris Zacho "The Wheelman" wrote:
> I'm traveling to "El Lay", California this summer (I live in Carolina)
> to visit my family. And I want to take my mountain bike along and do a
> ride with the old club while I'm there.
>
> Adventure Cycling (BikeCentennial) members used to be able to get
> their bikes on NorthWest Airlines free of charge, but this is no
> longer the case. :-3(
>
> Can anybody here give me the best rates/policies for various airlines
> concerning taking a packed, ready to ship bike on their planes? Or
> would shipping UPS be cheaper than all of them?
>
> TIA
>
> - -
>
> "May you have the wind at your back.
> And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
> Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
> Chris'Z Corner
> http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

trg wrote:

> My experience has been that the airlines are flexible (so are the
> planes, BTW). I've managed to avoid the charge if I have no checked
> luggage other than the bike. (I stuff the case as much as I can and
> take carryons, or give a bag to a travelling companion to check.) You
> have to be prepared to haggle a bit.

Yes! I've done exactly the same thing. I never used to check bags anyway.
(Now I do because it's a hassle to have security go through all my carryons).

The travel industry is very much a service industry. They know they have to
make people happy if they're going to get them back. It's much cheaper to get a
return customer than to find a new one. People tend to fly the same routes all
the time for business and pleasure, so losing a customer is a bigger deal than
you might think. If you're not a return customer, act like you might be.

Look at airline ticket prices, how they vary in price as much as 400 percent for
essentially the same ticket, depending on when you buy it. So there's
definately some haggle room. Good people skills are important, though. And
they'll definately size you up, so the impression you make is important. Don't
look or act like a disorganized slob.

This is also true of hotels, BTW. I've never paid the first price they quote.
Rental cars as well.

Matt O.

trg wrote:

> I saw in some FTA or FAA official document once that airlines are not
> allowed to charge extra just because it's a bike.

It's not the bike that they're charging for. It's because it's an
oversized piece, and it's not one of the special oversized items.
Typically, the only oversized items that never get charged are golf
clubs and skis.

If you want to sail through airports with your bike and never get
charged, get the frame coupled and fit it within the regulation
luggage size/weight (62 linear inches, 50 lbs).

http://bicycleoutfitter.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=79
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

Terry Morse wrote:
> trg wrote:
>
>> I saw in some FTA or FAA official document once that airlines are not
>> allowed to charge extra just because it's a bike.
>
> It's not the bike that they're charging for. It's because it's an
> oversized piece, and it's not one of the special oversized items.
> Typically, the only oversized items that never get charged are golf
> clubs and skis.
>
> If you want to sail through airports with your bike and never get
> charged, get the frame coupled and fit it within the regulation
> luggage size/weight (62 linear inches, 50 lbs).
>
> http://bicycleoutfitter.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=79

No, it IS the bike they're charging you for. There are different
regulations and prices for other oversized luggage. They don't apply those
rules to bikes. (And then there's they fact that sometimes they try to make
you sign a damage waiver because it is a bike.)

And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my OCLV frame, just
doesn't grab me.

trg wrote:

> And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my OCLV frame, just
> doesn't grab me.

S&S couplers work fine on Calfee frames. FWIW.

--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

Terry Morse <tmorse@spamcop.net> wrote:
> trg wrote:
>
>> And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my OCLV frame, just
>> doesn't grab me.
>
> S&S couplers work fine on Calfee frames. FWIW.

but S&S couplers won't stop them from *TRYING* to charge you. just get used
to saying sporting equipment. tho usually it's enuf that the case is 62"
but not always.
--
david reuteler
reuteler@visi.com

David Reuteler wrote:

> Terry Morse <tmorse@spamcop.net> wrote:

>> trg wrote:
>>
>>> And for some reason, the idea of taking a hacksaw to my OCLV frame,
>>> just doesn't grab me.
>>
>> S&S couplers work fine on Calfee frames. FWIW.
>
> but S&S couplers won't stop them from *TRYING* to charge you. just
> get used to saying sporting equipment. tho usually it's enuf that
> the case is 62" but not always.

I thought S&S cases were under the 62" limit, which is the whole point. I've
also heard the new Ritchey/Dahon Breakaway's case is a little bit over the
limit, but likely to squeak through anyway.

Collapsible bikes like these make a lot of sense. They should be more popular
than they are. Hopefully they'll catch on. Even for cross country trips in the
car, they'd make transporting bikes a lot easier. Two would fit easily in
virtually all cars, and three in most. Forget the racks, put the money into the
bikes instead.

Matt O.

Matt O'Toole <matt@deltanet.com> wrote:
> I thought S&S cases were under the 62" limit, which is the whole point. I've
> also heard the new Ritchey/Dahon Breakaway's case is a little bit over the
> limit, but likely to squeak through anyway.

they are under 62" .. but they're still bikes. some people are under the
impression that ANY bike requires a fee .. the fact that it's not oversized
is lost on them.
--
david reuteler
reuteler@visi.com

Matt O'Toole <matt@deltanet.com> wrote:

>I thought S&S cases were under the 62"
>limit, which is the whole point. I've also
>heard the new Ritchey/Dahon
>Breakaway's case is a little bit over the
>limit, but likely to squeak through
>anyway.

Somehow, I doubt this would be a good idea to cut up an Easton RAD tubed
freeride frame. I'll stick to the standard "remove the wheels, pedals
and handlebars route, thank you :-3)

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Matt O'Toole wrote:

>trg wrote:
>
>>My experience has been that the airlines are flexible (so are the
>>planes, BTW). I've managed to avoid the charge if I have no checked
>>luggage other than the bike. (I stuff the case as much as I can and
>>take carryons, or give a bag to a travelling companion to check.) You
>>have to be prepared to haggle a bit.
>>
>
>Yes! I've done exactly the same thing. I never used to check bags anyway.
>(Now I do because it's a hassle to have security go through all my carryons).
>
>The travel industry is very much a service industry. They know they have to
>make people happy if they're going to get them back. It's much cheaper to get a
>return customer than to find a new one. People tend to fly the same routes all
>the time for business and pleasure, so losing a customer is a bigger deal than
>you might think. If you're not a return customer, act like you might be.
>
>Look at airline ticket prices, how they vary in price as much as 400 percent for
>essentially the same ticket, depending on when you buy it. So there's
>definately some haggle room. Good people skills are important, though. And
>they'll definately size you up, so the impression you make is important. Don't
>look or act like a disorganized slob.
>
>This is also true of hotels, BTW. I've never paid the first price they quote.
>Rental cars as well.
>
>Matt O.
>
>
Agreed. Dress "up" when travelling. You will get better treatment at
customs and at the airline counter. Stewardesses will also be nicer.
(and I ain't no 25 y/o hottie!)
It's also been my experience that what they tell you on the phone is not
what they want to charge at the airport. I argued with Phillipines Air
in San Francisco for maybe 1/2 hour about charge vs no charge for my
bike, packed in a regular cardboard bike box.
The phone person assured me it was free passage for my bike (to
Vancouver B C) the counter person wanted $65 usd.
I asked for the supervisor and would not quit discussing the issue until
she agreed to split the difference and charge 1/2. of the $65. I
accepted the compromise.
It was flight time and I wasn't leaving without my bike.
Bernie

>
>Agreed. Dress "up" when travelling. You will get better treatment at
>customs and at the airline counter. Stewardesses will also be nicer.

amen and amen! this is very true.

David Reuteler wrote:

>Matt O'Toole <matt@deltanet.com> wrote:
>
>>I thought S&S cases were under the 62" limit, which is the whole point. I've
>>also heard the new Ritchey/Dahon Breakaway's case is a little bit over the
>>limit, but likely to squeak through anyway.
>>
>
>they are under 62" .. but they're still bikes. some people are under the
>impression that ANY bike requires a fee .. the fact that it's not oversized
>is lost on them.
>
Eggszakery
There seem to be no standards. I had my old mtn bike taken for no
charge just because I was late and the baggage guys wanted to load.
(again at SF, but this time on American) The only thing that was "ok"
was it was not too heavy. *unless you ride it* :)

I had a happy also at the Vancouver end when I unpacked my bike, tossed
the cardboard in a construction dumpster and rode home.
Pleasant life!
Bernie

I was riding with the club and the subject of getting bikes on planes
came up. One of the other riders gave his solution: Disassemble the bike
down so it fits into the smallest box possible, and therefore looks as
little like a bike box as possible. If the attendant asks what's in it,
he simply replies "athletic equipment". Not a lie, and no charge on
airlines!

Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone who has? how
successful was it? what "dangers"?

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Chris Zacho "The Wheelman" <ChriszCorner@webtv.net> wrote:
> Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone who has? how
> successful was it? what "dangers"?

the danger is in crumpling your frame while trying to get it into a box
small enuf not to be charged for being oversized.
--
david reuteler
reuteler@visi.com

Might work, but nowadays the airline clerk may want to SEE
what's in the box and security will x-ray it.

Chris Zacho The Wheelman wrote:
> I was riding with the club and the subject of getting bikes on planes
> came up. One of the other riders gave his solution: Disassemble the bike
> down so it fits into the smallest box possible, and therefore looks as
> little like a bike box as possible. If the attendant asks what's in it,
> he simply replies "athletic equipment". Not a lie, and no charge on
> airlines!
>
> Has anyone her tried something like this? or knows someone who has? how
> successful was it? what "dangers"?
>
> - -
>
> "May you have the wind at your back.
> And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
> Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
> Chris'Z Corner
> http://www.geocities.com/czcorner
>


--
Munged email address.