Just traveled through helsinki with a small dahon with rigid handlebar t on top, was in a soft shelled suitcase well packed (cadboard shielded on interior), after arrival the other half of handlebar was bent down, about 2 inches. With my 13 stones pushing down on this bar, I can't do that. Still cant see the force that could do that unless it was run over, but no visible damage other than the bend.
So, having travelled with small bikes on 50+ flights, Thor speaks truth. You're lucky.
When flights are full and you are forced to check your carry on at plane door, and you see your fragile equipment being tossed to you onto the ground, don't think your bike is gonna get those extra 5 seconds of TLC from anyone when it's checked from the beginning.
Don't forget that you may not have sufficient coverage for your bike if not buying additional insurance when your $1500 bike disappears.
Last edited by JimBeans83; 10-23-10 at 11:25 AM.
Reason: <@plane door>