Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Flying United Airlines

Anyone have any experience with United and taking a bike on an international flight?
I know some airlines really hate you for this and some are cool. Ive never dealt with them.
Im about to call them but thought id ask for personal experiences from you guys.

it's free. like 10 bucks for the box... counts as one check in.

rip your pedals and bars off. they even keep it away from other luggage.

totally the only reason to fly united.

Do you promise not to tell us STFU and fight you? :D

(sorry can't answer your question but I would love to know since I'm heading to Tokyo myself pretty soon)

they're totally cool about it, atleast the people in philadelphia airport (and that's rather uncommon.)

it's free. like 10 bucks for the box... counts as one check in.

rip your pedals and bars off. they even keep it away from other luggage.

totally the only reason to fly united.

Amazing. United seems to rule all airlines?

So take of the pedals and bars and find abox big enough for the rest to fit in? Leave my wheels on?

Do you promise not to tell us STFU and fight you? :D

(sorry can't answer your question but I would love to know since I'm heading to Tokyo myself pretty soon)

:)

how my IRO got here, the box is huge, not padded but i had no problems... oh, except the crank arms were super loose.

everyone thinks i'm paranoid, but it had to be security/TSA.

Sounds great. Thanks.
I gotta find a monster box at the lbs. :)

Any experiences w/ US Airways?

I'm going to Amsterdam for three months, and I'm debating flying my bike out or buying one when I get there (still gotta fly it home).

Im a pilot... (not for an airline) but as far as carrying a bike with you on a plane you'd be fine. As long as you pack it right, the only things you would have to worry about is other luggage getting piled on top of it which you may be able to avoid by telling them what it is and asking about how to label it. And heating. I can't see a reason why a bike wouldn't be alright at seriously cold temps but some pilots don't turn on the cargo heat because there's no need to. (often times when you ship pets they come out frozen if you don't remind the right people)

But those would be the only 2 things to worry about.

Well i was mostly worried about having to pay some huge extra fee.
Sounds like with United you dont have to.
Im gonna call em just in case theyve changed their policy.

Actually one more point... TSA could take apart ur bottom bracket and such to look for stashed stash. keep that in mind, as they (should they decide to disassemble) will likely not be using the correct tools, and may maim stuff up.

Well i was mostly worried about having to pay some huge extra fee.

definitely do so, but i think you're good. i did it 2 mos ago.

There would only be a policy if it was over 50lbs. Then you have to pay a surcharge. If they tell you anything different, they're probably lying. The cargo hold will almost never be full as far as cubic space goes, it will just be full as far as weight goes. Weight is by far a greater issue on a plane than space.

Cool. I guess i was assuming the size would freak em out.

Wait, i just checked the website and it says, "Any checked bag with a single dimension more than 62 inches is not accepted."
:(

a bike box is less that 5 feet long.

I called India (customer service) and they said itll be no problem and its free for the first bike on international frights. :)

a bike box is less that 5 feet long.

no, the ones at unites would fit a chopper.

not to be snippy, but i did this 2 mos ago, on this exact airline, dudes.

honestly, I hate flying united... all ive ever gotten from them is crap customer service and stupid flight attendants

so you got a box from the airline?

Take your wheels off and you should be fine.

don't even have to take off the wheels.

i just threw the pedals and a few tools in a shoebox, wrapped the drops around the box and packed it in my checked bag, threw a bit of bubblewrap around the tubing and rolled my bike into the airport. they came out and gave me a box for 10 bucks and some packing tape.

coulda ridden out from narita in 10 minutes if i didn't have a ride.

honestly, I hate flying united... all ive ever gotten from them is crap customer service and stupid flight attendants

and a free 12 hour layover in O'Hare

Coming from an entirely "airline" family (Pilots/Flight Attendants for both United/American), some of the responses in this thread are hilarious!

Woof, more pretzels please, woof.

don't even have to take off the wheels.

i just threw the pedals and a few tools in a shoebox, wrapped the drops around the box and packed it in my checked bag, threw a bit of bubblewrap around the tubing and rolled my bike into the airport. they came out and gave me a box for 10 bucks and some packing tape.

damn...maybe i should get the box from the airline. sounds easier.
my wife is bringing her bike too so ill need two.

^ totally the easiest thing on the planet.

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50773,00.html

Cost*
Travel before May 5, 2008:
Within U.S./Canada: $85.00 USD
Travel on/after May 5, 2008:
Within U.S./Canada: $100.00 USD

Maximum size/weight
50 pounds/62 linear inches (W + H + D)

That's for domestic. Here are the international policies: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52482,00.html

Again, you'll be running into the 62 linear inch limit. It's very, very difficult to pack a bike under 62 linear inches, if it's even possible.

I would get the box from the LBS. Took me a while to get it all to fit and you may not want to do that while rushing to catch a flight. Had to remove pedals, handlebar, front brake, release the wheels (let the air out too), and then padded it all with bubble wrap. If they're nice bikes I'd take the time to pack them right.
And regarding extra costs with the airlines, they may charge another 50$ or so for each extra item you check. But the easiest thing to do is just call them up on that point.

Did you guys look at the date of my original post? This was nearly 5 months ago.

and also, did you ******* read the part where my advice was anecdotal, and yours means nothing? i wasn't looking **** up, i was telling you how i've flown my bike multiple times.

and hey, sup, dh? i'm headed to the flames for a bit myself...

So what did u end up doing Deathhare?

Hey Jody :)
I ended up taking boxes on a plane at no cost.
United Airlines may have a history of crashing into skyscrapers but at least you can bring bikes on the plane.