Travelling w/bike on planes

[EinZwei3]

Ladies, thanks to all those who replied. The box sounds fantastic, howver, I have to decide if I would rather go the expensive bike case route, for convenience purposes. I am not simply traveling from Canada to the US, I am actually moving, and as such, I have a cap on how many bags I can bring( 2) and a cap on the weight, (50 lbs), So anything more is a pain in the arse, & hell to lug around an airport, as I am alone, once Im on the stop over. The cost to Fed Ex-the bike would probably end up being around the same price as the surcharge at the airport.

[DeniseGoldberg]

The cost to Fed Ex-the bike would probably end up being around the same price as the surcharge at the airport.

If the cost is the same, why not think about the convenience of not having to deal with the bike in the airport? If you don't need the bike immediately on your arrival, check the price for a ground service (FedEx, UPS, others...) as opposed to a shorter delivery service.

You're right though, if you're going to continue traveling with your bike, a case is something that you can use going forward. (Of course, you also need to have the space to store a hard case in your new place...)

--- Denise

[Nanci]

I have a friend who raced IM Florida, who is a flight attendent, who does not get a break on oversize luggage. So, $80 to take the bike in its box and have them put it in the luggage compartment, while she flies as a passenger. $40 to take it in its box to Fed Ex and ship it, on the _same plane_. So you might want to check into costs, it could be as much as half the price to go with Fed Ex. Plus you don't have to drag it around the airport.

Nanci

[pkq]

Got that you are moving, which is one reason I would ship it FedEx or UPS. Who wants to battle a bulky bike case in an airport, getting it there, and getting it to your new place? Whew! Life has enough hassles without adding to them. I wouldn't want to deal with storing a bulky bike case either. My goal is to keep life as simple as possible. Yep, call me lazy.

Having moved a few times, I can say unquestionably that you are going to be stressed out. You may not realize it but you will be.

I am getting a coupled bike, thought not a Bike Friday, for traveling purposes. I've driven across the U.S. twice now, had a great time each time, but I don't want to drive that much again, especially solo. When I am retired, watch out though. I'll drive anywhere.

[EinZwei3]

Ladies,
I am sooo happy that there is a woman's only forum as I have so many things on my mind about my move that what seems logical and obvious, is now starting to escape me. On a guys forum, they probably would have already called me dizzy! So, thank you for the UPS/Fed Ex option. I guess that I can try that once I get to my stop over, or, if its not too expensive from my point of departure, Ill try that.

Many thanks, and if there are any other options out there, I am open to hearing them.

Cheers, Crazie Kanuk!!!

[Trek420]

I just got back from the dojo, we have a student visiting from Germany who flew in last night and...no luggage. He thinks it went awry at the London transfer. A delivery driver arrived with his luggage. We unload it from the courier truck "where's the other box?" he asks. You guessed it, no bike. Hopefully it turns up.

I told him on the way back go to my LBS a block away and have them ship the bike to his shop. Since he works at a bike shop he's not worried about the price, just the sentimental value of the bike. Must be nice.

I will keep you posted. We joked that maybe British Air sent it to Aukland instead of Oakland. If so we agreed the airline should fly the rider to the bike.

He said that in all his travels with his bike this is the first time the bike's not arrived on time.

[shadon]

Trek420's story is scarey enough...I sure hope that bike turns up.

Two friends of mine, did RAGBRAI last July, and had their bikes packed by a LBS out there for shipment via UPS back to the Bay Area. All four bikes were seriously damaged, two of them beyond repair. Please be careful with the bike box option. UPS has been NO help whatsoever...and I don't think the LBS has either. A really really bad situation there. And yes they had paid for insurance with UPS...no help at all.

Myself, I'd buy one of the good hard cases, pack the bike myself, so that I know how it's been packed, and pay to ship it where it has to go. While I know it's an expense...a wrecked bike is no fun at all.