Shipping Bike Fed Ex or take it on the plan

[MM_QFC!]

I have a Bike Friday that fits in a suitcase that I can check in as regular luggage. A few years ago I took it with me on Southwest from California to Maryland. When packing it, I took pictures of each step and a final picture of how it was all packed in at the end. I printed the pictures out and put my name and cell phone number with a note to TSA to contact me in case they had problems getting it all back together. This all went in the suitcase with the bike. The bike made it to Maryland fine and it didn't look like anyone had opened it. When I got back to California, it looked like someone may have looked through it but everything was still fine. No problems..

I have a bike with couplers and use a case that is 62 sq inches/not oversize/not overweight, so it goes as a checked bag. I use a security net http://www.sandsmachine.com/ac_net.htm and add a note - similar to Sylvia - saying that the "bicycle parts" are packed carefully so as not to damage them and that all can be viewed just by lifting the security net. I include details of my itinerary and contact info too and tape this piece of paper to the top of it all; an envelope contains 4 pics of the tube covers on bikes and the packing process...Might be overkill but, while my bike case has been opened (TSA lock), my packing has never been messed up and so I will continue same to avoid them pulling everything apart!

[shootingstar]

I'm intrigued that your suitcase would be opened if checked in. I would have expected that more as carry-on....

I fly Air Canada. And have not used an U.S. airline for over a decade.

[OakLeaf]

I've shipped my bike FedEx in its hard case at least ten times. No problems. Even if safety were equal, there's that whole "not having to schlep an enormous 50# suitcase through an airport and having to hire a van instead of a regular taxi" thing.

Freight haulers may also open containers, though obviously it's less common than it is with the TSA. DH and I have both had situations where our cases have arrived with the fastenings loose - my bike once from FedEx, his camera gear once on the airlines. Thankfully everything was still secure inside, but the lesson there is to pack everything as much as possible so that it won't rattle even if the outer fastenings are loose. After that experience, I sharpie'd arrows on the outside of my case pointing to the straps with the words "Please re-tighten all straps if opened."

(I also sharpie'd my name, cell # and email address on the inside of all my luggage and shipping cases. A piece of paper with that information is just as likely to get lost as anything else inside. What should go on a piece of paper is your destination information if your permanent contact information won't reach you at your destination - if you won't be able to check email, for instance, or if you'll be out of cell phone range.)

It isn't only the USA that opens cases, anyway. That's worldwide.

[Boudicca]

I'm intrigued that your suitcase would be opened if checked in. I would have expected that more as carry-on....

I fly Air Canada. And have not used an U.S. airline for over a decade.

All the airlines can and do open luggage, especially when the x-ray shows a jumble of metallic objects. I also put a note in with my Friday, and while I am pretty sure it's been opened from time to time, it's not been damaged. Touch wood.

[shootingstar]

All the airlines can and do open luggage, especially when the x-ray shows a jumble of metallic objects. I also put a note in with my Friday, and while I am pretty sure it's been opened from time to time, it's not been damaged. Touch wood.

Anyway, I've put my bike in a box. Other times it's been merely in a large plastic bag or soft bag for folding bike.

My partner has dealt with a more expensive bike $4,000 and in a big box...he's flown well over 10 different plane trips. Bike got derailleur damage...once.

[indysteel]

For those that choose to transport the bike via the airline, do you purchase trip insurance to cover the cost of the bike and any tour/trip that you're taking that might be impacted if the bike is damaged, delayed or lost in transit? I certainly would consider that if I opted to fly with my bike.

The other concern I'd note is that there is no guarantee--and I say this from personal experience--that checked baggage will arrive on time and on the same plane. I've had several instances where my checked bags didn't make it on time either at my destination or coming home. So, if timing is a concern for you, I'd lean towards Fed Ex and give yourself enough time for a delay on their end as well.

[gnat23]

I prefer FedEx for a few reasons:

a) reliable tracking
b) has a better chance of actually getting there (sometimes I wish I could ship *myself* via FedEx)
c) better insurance in case something does go terribly wrong

-- gnat!

[Boudicca]

I was in Italy this summer, and had a serious debate with myself on whether to take the Friday, or rent a bike from the tour company. I ended up with the rental, which was a pretty clunky hybrid, but it got me from a to b, which was the main point.

But there again, it took six days for my luggage to show up because of a major airline snafu, so it's just as well I went for the rental. Can you imagine a seven-day bike vacation when you didn't have a bike to ride for the first six of them?

[Sylvia]

For those that choose to transport the bike via the airline, do you purchase trip insurance to cover the cost of the bike and any tour/trip that you're taking that might be impacted if the bike is damaged, delayed or lost in transit? I certainly would consider that if I opted to fly with my bike.

When I took my Bike Friday from California to Maryland, I didn't purchase any insurance. And everything was fine. So I may have been lucky. However, I chose specifically to take Southwest airlines. I had been reading on the internet that some airlines might charge considerably more if I were bringing a bike regardless of what size case it was in. So I decided to go with Southwest since they specifically mentioned Bike Fridays and that as long as the case is within their limits, I would not be charged more. See here. So if you choose to fly a bike, I'd suggest checking the the specific airline's policies on taking bikes.

I would think for most people, who would fly that distance to do a ride, that renting a bike would make a lot more sense, but in my case, my bike fit is so out of the norm that it really wouldn't make sense.

[indysteel]

I buy trip insurance any time my trip involves a tour of some kind. Otherwise, if either I or my gear are delayed in some way, I have some way to recoup the cost of the tour and/or any out of pockets expenses I might incur because of delayed or damaged baggage.