Folding Bikes - Brompton - Airports

I'm planning to travel w/ my Brompton on some domestic flights this summer. I was wondering if people can tell me about their experiences with their Bromptons as well as provide suggestions.

I would be interested to heard how people modified suitcases, or I saw on one thread, that people didn't even use suitcases, and did a gate check. Is that possible? I would hate to go to the airport and find out it wasn't going to fly with all the TSA people.

Well, I want to travel with my brompton. So tell me how! =)


Thanks!

James

Pre arranging with your airline might well be helpful.

In a uk airport it's probably becoming easier as the bikes are more popular than ever but I think still you will need to bag it as pieces of potentially sharp metal openly on display tends to get you unreasonable heat from the same post 11/9 devotees that would have your nail-clippers and bra-underwires removed from planes if they could.

I've been looking into solutions to the same problem, and came across this website:

http://users.belgacom.net/bn886679/brompton/chapters/Aboard.html#suitcase

I'm just beginning my research. I have an M6L with telescoping seat post, and believe I'm going to actually have to carry the bike with me while shopping for a case to make sure it fits.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=194002

I would do it this way if I would to take the Brompton with me on a trip.

I have always just put my Brompton in the slip-on cover, occasionally with some cardboard between the bike and the cover. The cover collects some holes but I consider it disposable every couple of years anyway. The worst that happens is that the rear rack gets pushed to one side sometimes so I push it back when I unfold it.

Simon Calder (travel writer, mostly travels with Brompton) does the same thing, I understand.

If you can do a gate check (and the Brompton design helps a lot), I think it's by far the best way to go. That way, you don't have to worry about crazy baggage handlers or deal another suitcase at the other end -- and it makes riding to and from the aiport easier. My advice would be to phone the airport/airline ahead of time and ask about the gate check process for wheelchairs, strollers and so on.

I linked to this description of flying internationally with a Brompton in my flying-with-Dahons thread, but I'll post it here again for good measure: http://todd.cleverchimp.com/blog/?p=94

I've used the Brompton B bag with good luck. It keeps the size small and a few times I was actually able to carry it on. If I couldn't, it still survived quite well in the cargo hold. I would soimetimes pack extra clothes in it for additional protection. Big plus for the B bag is it isn't very heavy and doesn't scream bicycle. The Brompton is pretty sturdy so after the first few trips I didnt worry too much.