Last I checked, an oversized bag on Delta is $175 one way. I paid $150 each way when I flew overseas last Summer with my bike. But I get standby ticket prices. Delta is notoriously bad for bikers.
Traveling Overseas With Your Bike
We're going to Europe to play polo! I bought a huge 30"x50" duffle bag from army surplus that fits my bike, wheels, mallets, etc... my question is: What kind things do you tell the folks at the airport to get reduced fare shipping your bike? (i've heard "tell 'em it's art"... do i just show up and say nothing?) also, have there been any issues not getting your bike at your final destination? (if i didn't get my bike, it would kinda put a damper on the whole trip, ya know?) Is there a way i can keep my bike on the plane with me?
Any information you have... hints, suggestions, tips, wisdom...
yeah, that's what made leon drew and seabass get breakaway or coupled bikes. hopefully, joe, you're not on delta.
rob from prague was recently in atlanta and it was supposed to cost him $300 each way international. He just shipped it for about 150
To MKE and back, I just told them it was a sculpture, but only once they asked. I know you already bought the bag and it fits all your junk, but I gotta say, a whole lot can be done with a role of Glad Cling Wrap and a few trash bags. Might not hurt to just package your bike up inside the bag, incase they take a look and see it's not "art".
Also, Chris, tell Jason I have his sunglasses.
Or, Jason, I have your sunglasses.
Joe,
First, check what airline your flying with and determine what routes are available to take in order to get a cheap or free luggage fee.
As you may know i have the same bag as you. Make sure sharp objects won't puncture, Mine has ripped!
Any excess bag material should be folded over and strapped as to make the bag appear smaller.
Get to the ticket counter drop your shit on the scale and say hi with a big ol' smile. Get some brown on your nose while your standing there.
I've said "camping gear miss:)" every time i've flew with no extra fees except a small checked luggage fee.
-M
Check these two pages of tips from Generation Outdoors.
http://generation-outdoors.com/node/694
http://generation-outdoors.com/node/720
Shawn also suggests shoving $10 into the baggage checkers hand before handing them the box.
If you live in MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, KY, and OH why not join the Midwest Club page?
That guy also says deflate your tires. Which isn't necessary. Atmospheric pressure doesn't get high enough to start blowing shit up. For saving volume in bag... yes.
I had the most success with flying with a hockey bag duffel that fit my bag easily in it. I think that you should wrap the bag in plastic and then put it in a trash bag. The more disguised it is for the checker the harder it is for them to charge you. I would also tape all the loose corners on the bag so it doesn't get registered as an oversize. Also, sometimes splitting the bike up into two packages can make it easier to fly. Frame and poles in one bag and wheels in another.
I've used a hockey goalie bag for a year now. I've had to pay twice (both with Air Tran). On the way back from MKE I told then it was goalie pads and paid $15..me and Pieter we giving each other five. The ticket agent then proceeded to watch the bag go through the x-ray machine and then charged me for a bike...boo. I think this happened because we all arrived late for a flight. Show up on time and spread out the big bags so the ticket agents do not suspect bikes.
Tape down a big bag so it looks smaller. Not much else you can do.
A lot of times the x-ray is away from the ticket counter. So, after you buy your ticket and you need to lift your bag off the scale and continue to the x-ray machine then drop it in front of the machine and make a run for it. I usually make sure the x-ray guy has eye contact with me then book it.
For others looking for a neat bag, check http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products-BAG.htm I have the 'body bag' which is pretty basic, there is a more expensive advanced padded one too.. $AUD too so even more affordable for many of you.
actually check this out http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/pdfs/BAG-PDF-AUST.pdf
*Get there early*
This is the main thing, the attitude of the whole ground crew gradually deteriorates as the plane gets closer and closer to departure.
in Australia many airlines will insist that you pack a bike in a box... if they think it's a bike or if they think it's not packed well enough, but they wont charge you extra (but they do sell the boxes though)
Oh and good timing... I'm flying tomorrow :)
Check out the bike box on Freight Baggage's site. Looks pretty sweet.
ok, thanks for the advice
-hero squad * milwaukee, wi-
one last thing joe, when i went to paris, i had my bike in a box with wheels and all, 100$ cash, on the way back i took the wheels off and loosend the bars and then cut the box down. shoved the wheels in and yada yada, free. the diff between a frame and a bike = 100 $
I know you've got your ticket already, but for the record, British Airways and BMI currently allow a bike free as part of regular checked baggage. Be sure to check with Aer Lingus first, just in case. Also, find out who is operating the plane (which may be different then the ticketing airline; I bought a BMI ticket once, but it was operated by Lufthansa, and Lufthansa charged us a bike fee, even though it is free on a BMI-operated flight).
Well, I used my huge duffel bag and told them it was hockey equipment. It worked! No fee. My plan was to tell them hockey equip. and if they questioned it be like , "yeah, bike hockey, duh" I had hockey pads, gloves, mallets, and helmet. Luckily they just took it.
-hero squad * milwaukee, wi-
ah ah Bike Hockey that's a good one
Yorgo
LONDON: http://bricklanebikepolo.wordpress.com/
PARIS: http://panambikepolo.blogspot.com/
this is kinda a duplicate for this: http://bikepolo.ca/forum/general/2008/12/31/a-thread-about-polo-travel-a...
Hey, when are you heading over there? We're doing that as well! From Ft. Lauderdale. Heading over there after the Worlds, will be over there for 2 months.
Hi whackers Sure you all know this by now but coyote and east van told me to buy a big goalie hockey bag Ruckus then gave me a 10 min lesson that took me 20 and VELOs I had a dismantled bike, plastic wrapped with mallets alongside and a helmet to boot.Threw in some random colourful fur and my mixed media art project was ready for inspection with no xtra charge Even got the airline to cover it with fragile stickers and had it personally delivered at bag claim ( bag size about 28X44ish)MACHINE
> Threw in some random colourful fur
Nice touch. :)
--
bikepolo.com.au
urbanbicyclist.org
Has anyone traveled recently, as in after the xmas bomb attempt deal?
Also, since my mountain bike frame is fairly compact compared to most track bikes (short seat tube), I wasss thinking of just stripping down my bike (which I would have to regardless) and carrying the frame onboard. Should fit in the over head compartments nicely judging by the size of my bag I usually carry on, and then just wrap up and check the wheels.
I've seen people carry on freakin congo drums, big poster tubes, and other weird shit, so why not a bike frame?
the max combined measurements are usually 45", so theoretically a frame of 20" x 23" x 2" should fit. being metal probably doesn't help though- u-locks can't be carried on, even in the liberal flight land of europe
I flew with my bike as checked luggage after the bomb attempt and had no issues.
MMMMMBOP
There was a recent news story here in Canada which conveyed that, when flying in and out of Canada, airports and airlines were more restrictive in what can and can't be carried on the plane than our counterparts in the US.
MMMMMBOP
Bikes are for free as long as your checked in luggage is in total not heavier than 20kg. New law for air france and partners. Same for BA and maybe also at sky alliance. This rule exist since spring 2009. Problem is that the stuff at check-in is often not informed about that. Last year air france wanted from me at first 150euros for pAris nyc, than after discussion 40e, then they sended me to a finance controller, who called someone and confirmed finally this rule. Similar trouble in nyc. The guy called someone. Finally no extra charges. And this depends not on bag size. Just make sure you have not more than 20kg. Hope this helps you when u come to berlin this summer.
when it comes to talking to the bag-checkers, whether on the curb or at the counter, less is more. don't say anything until they ask. act like its totally normal to be checking your bag. there is no way to carry your bike on the plane. most likely, with a bag that big, they'll charge you oversize but not overweight, because its international. but you can get lucky with the right person and pay nothing.
nycbikepolo.com
fixcraft.net