|   Air Travel With A Mountain Bike | omz
Apr 3, 2002 10:30 AM | | I'm taking a trip to Salt Lake from Pittsburgh next month and I want to take my bike. I'm flying Continental and its $80 bucks each way. I am thinking about buying a case (splitting cost with a friend) and shipping it UPS or Fed Ex. Anyone shipped a bike with these companies? Any other companies worth checking out? |
| re: Air Travel With A Mountain Bike | Rider Mel
Apr 3, 2002 10:40 AM | | Howdy, I travel with my bike all the time. Neither option is great and I waver on which is better. Recently I have been using UPS to ship the bike - it avoids having to tote it around airports etc. UPS will charge you about $30 each way and will do their best to beat the living shit out of the box. They are unbelievable in their understanding of customer service. They recently sent my bike across the country twice before they delivered the box and bike (although no longer bike IN box). They said they were sorry, thanked me for my business and offered the same quality service the next time.
Airlines are not always better. I've watched the handlers throw boxes attempting to maximize height (or arc). A case will definitely help prevent damage over a bike box so that may solve your problems. Oh, I've never heard of UPS ever taking responsibility for any damage so you may not want to take advantage of their insurance.
Cheers!
Mel |
| Call me cheap, but..... | Another Drew
Apr 3, 2002 11:20 AM | | A month ago, I took a trip and I put my bike in two separate boxes. One for the frame and fork and another box for the wheels. Because each box was within the maximum allowable size for luggage, the airline didn't charge an extra fee.
Or, if you end up getting a bike case, IMBA members don't pay the extra charge with certain airlines. |
| That's excellent!!! nm | rturanc
Apr 3, 2002 11:31 AM | | |
| Call me cheap, but..... | Mark Fletcher
Apr 3, 2002 3:13 PM | | do you know which airlines off the top of your head? |
| NW is the only one i can remember. | Another Drew
Apr 4, 2002 8:04 AM | | |
| Oh, and also.......... | Another Drew
Apr 4, 2002 8:08 AM | | Ask either the check-in person for a bunch of "Fragile" stickers and put them all over the boxes. I've looked outside the window of my plane to see the baggage handlers being very careful with the my boxes while they were throwing around regular luggage. |
| re: Air Travel With A Mountain Bike | Spaceman Spiff
Apr 3, 2002 3:01 PM | | I bought a softsided padded bike case out in Salt Lake a few years a ago. I have traveled all over the US with. Probably 8 or 9 times. It looks like a huge piece of luggage. Usually I get it through without paying. I tell the agent that is is tradeshow displays when they ask. |
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