Starting point logistics - advice please!

[NadiaMac]

As an aside, on the "giant plastic bag" packing approach (where you just wrap your bike in a huge plastic bag and it is placed on a plane): I went on a riding trip in Thailand and Laos and it blew my mind to see that riders on the trip had shipped their bikes from the UK to Thailand *and* on intermediate flights on tiny Thai airlines, like this. No box at all, though they did have their derailleurs off and securely taped to the frame. Apparently, they had travelled internationally many many times like this. I wasn't even aware it was an option (and don't think I've ever seen someone manage this in the US).

[OakLeaf]

I have a Thule hard case. I've never flown with my bike - simply too much hassle schlepping it around airports. FedEx costs about the same as flying with it, and is so much more convenient (within the US, anyway). You can have them pick it up at your house or drop it off at a FedEx store; you can ship it right to your destination (if it's a hotel, just let the desk know that it will be coming), or have it held for pickup at a FedEx depot.

Very little disassembly is needed for my case, which is pretty standard. Wheels, pedals, seatpost with saddle still attached, handlebars (with or without the stem), rear derailleur. If I leave the stem on the steerer tube, I have to disconnect the front brake cable; someone with a longer head tube or a different case might not have that issue. All the other cables stay attached. Don't forget to let some air out of your tires and remove any CO2 canisters from your luggage - they're not allowed to fly even as cargo. Buy some new ones at your destination, or you might even find a simpatico LBS that'll let you borrow some and return them if you don't need them.

If you can fix a flat, adjust cables and tweak your fit, you've already done everything you need to reassemble a bike after shipping, with the exception of removing the RD - which is basically nothing. You don't touch the adjustment screws that position it, so you just unscrew the bolt to remove it and screw it in to put it back on.

Disassembly and packing takes a little while (especially the first time, when you'll want to mark the seatpost, stem/steerer tube and handlebars with inconspicuous dots so you'll know where to position them; and when everything takes longer just because of unfamiliarity), but reassembly can be done in 15-20 minutes, with a handful of tools that you can ship in the box with your bike. Literally. I've done it in the FedEx parking lot.

[Crankin]

Yea, Fed Ex totally damaged my son's bike when we shipped it to Tucson. It was packed properly, by DH, checked by LBS.
Fed Ex came out to inspect the damage, but would not own up to it. I think they were trying to jack around an 18 year old, even though DH spoke to them by phone. Finally, we gave up and paid to get the bike fixed (I can't remember what exactly happened).
Shipping a bike is a PITA, no matter which method you use.

[NbyNW]

Well I finally got some old pictures off my camera and thought you all might like this one.

We decided to drive in the end. The cost of flying + logistics was a turnoff. We also decided it was time to invest in a roof rack, as our old rear mount rack is starting to crumble. If you look carefully, you will see Gordy waiting patiently for us to finish loading the car ... he clearly does not want to be left behind!