I'll bet United loves this one...

[Tri Girl]

did you all read some of the comments below the video? Fairly disturbing. It seems both pilots and baggage handlers there have some anger management issues...

Yeah, I read that. Yikes! The pilot who said the band was ungrateful for the safe landing... um.... huh???.. that's not what the song was about- it was about baggage handlers throwing his luggage and the airline employees disregarding him. Don't be so sensitive, Peter Pilot.

[Duck on Wheels]

Even my 86-year-old never-learned-to-ride-a-bike Mom sent me a link to this video because I fly with United so often (they're the US arm of the Star Alliance, which also includes SAS, which is my link from Norway to the world outside). She too was concerned about what they might be doing to my bike. Well, I did actually see my bike being off-loaded last trip, not by United folks but by SAS in Copenhagen on my way to SFO via Chicago. I was pretty nervous about it because my bike crate is a soft-sided one (the Pica Packworks EEP), but the handlers were really nice with it. Maybe it's something about the pack itself that just fits with good handling -- lightweight, well-padded, handles where they need them, fits neatly upright at the back of the luggage trolley. My bike was the first item off, so must've been last on. They stood it upright at the back of the trolley, then set a big suitcase in front of it to stabilize it, then filled the rest of the trolley, but nothing tossed and nothing on top of the bike. At some point on the way home again there must've been something heavy on top of the bike because one of the wheel spindle thingies was bent, but no major damage. Took me just a quick visit to the LBS to get that replaced.

[Ninabike]

I can really appreciate that video. (I have a couple of Taylor T5's like the one played in the video, but I buy mine on ebay so it doesn't "hurt" quite as much if they break. The broken one in the video is actually a Gibson.) I've flown alot with guitars and did have one broken on an Air Lingus flight. However, I admit that that was probably my fault for not bothering to put it in a good case (SKB). There is a case called Anvil which is very heavy duty and designed for serious travel. However, they are expensive ($500.00 range).

I have not flown with a bike, but I recently sold a Bianchi which I had packed and shipped by the best LBS I knew of just because I think packing is the best insurance.

[Ana]

I'm glad he creatively vented his disappointment and frustration. His account was real and he has a right to voice it to others...and if it happens to be in a humorous melody, then so be it

I just heard a piece on NPR about it