Travelling w/bike on planes

[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.

[DeniseGoldberg]

For everyone who is getting scared about traveling with their bikes...

Unfortunately, bad stuff happens, but it doesn't happen every time. In fact, we probably hear more stories about the bad stuff than about the normal times - the times your bike arrives safely, and at the right time.

Please don't let the bad stories scare you away from traveling with your bike. Touring - or just riding in new places - is a wonderful experience. And while you can choose to travel with a touring company that provides bikes (either as part of the tour cost or for a rental fee), there are many times when you'll need or want your own bike.

--- Denise (who insists on traveling with her bicycle!)

[shadon]

For everyone who is getting scared about traveling with their bikes...

Unfortunately, bad stuff happens, but it doesn't happen every time. In fact, we probably hear more stories about the bad stuff than about the normal times - the times your bike arrives safely, and at the right time.

Please don't let the bad stories scare you away from traveling with your bike. Touring - or just riding in new places - is a wonderful experience. And while you can choose to travel with a touring company that provides bikes (either as part of the tour cost or for a rental fee), there are many times when you'll need or want your own bike.

--- Denise (who insists on traveling with her bicycle!)

Denise is absolutely right about this. My only point, after watching my friends experience with UPS, is to be careful about how your bike is packed and shipped. Denise is right, most times accidents don't happen, but sometimes they do. Just be really vigilant about how your bike is packed. I know I will be!

[SnappyPix]

Myself and my partner transported our road bikes with us from the UK, via Los Angeles, to NZ. These were transported in the hard bike cases and arrived intact (although they missed the flight and arrived the next morning, via courier). We simply had to turn the handlebars to fit them in the case.
Conversely, we also shipped out two hybrid commuting bikes, which were transported in the standard cardboard bike box - and sent air freight. They were packed very carefully by the shipping company, and wrapped in lots of bubble wrap, but one of the bikes still managed to sustain damage to the rear derailleur and had to be replaced.
The hard cases were worth their weight in gold and I'd only ever consider shipping a bike I love in them from now on.

[Trek420]

I went to the advanced class Thursday night and...the bike was there. So happy ending

[Aint Doody]

I, too, have a hard case and agree that it's worth it. It has wheels and you just drag it along like you would your suitcase. I've only had to pay $25 or $50 (depending on the airline)--and then not even always that! If the airline allows 2 bags and the weight is under the 50 lb mark and you only have the case and 1 other bag, sometimes you can talk them into not charging you. If you've upgraded to 1st class on flyer miles, you don't pay anything for the bike case to go.