Touring - Airline issues with S&S

I'm interested in hearing if anyone has had problems with airlines and traveling with an S&S bike. I will be traveling with an S&S tandem in two containers, both 26x26x10. This meets airline regulations but do they change their tune when they see it is a bicycle? Thanks.

You might want to peruse the BikeAccess (http://www.bikeaccess.net/BikeAccess/Articles_db.cfm?Search=box%2Cbag%2Ccase&Article=S%26S%20Machine%20Couplings) webpages for some people's experiences.

I travel with a Bike Friday which folds into a normal-sized suitcase. I've had no problems with airline agents, although I have had some tell me that if they know it's a bike that they'll charge for it. It's never happened though, even on a trip back from Hawaii where the TSA checker essentially unpacked the bike in front of the airline agent. I think you should be fine with your bike in the 2 cases - although to be safe I wouldn't volunteer the information to the airline employees that the case contains a bike. I don't know how much the S&S case + bike (1/2 bike?) weighs - but you should also know that the airlines are also pretty strict about weight limits.

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www.denisegoldberg.com (http://www.denisegoldberg.com)

I am leaving for California on Wednesday on Northwest Airlines. It will be my first trip with the & S couplings and the 26" carrying box. I was going to put a manual with pictures of how to pack it in the box. That way if customs does a search, they will know how to repack the bicycle.

I've just flown twice with my Bike Friday (to Spokane, WA, and Washington, DC). Both times they knew it was a bike, and both times it was checked as regular luggage. I was close on the weight limit to Spokane, however, since 50 lbs was the limit and I weighed it in at 49.5. Too many clothes and tools added in, I guess...

Sounds promising so far from those with experience. If the case is regulation size and weight I really don't see how they can charge. I emailed TSA to see ask them if it was permissible to be present during a screening but so far have not heard back. So much for the automated reply promising an immediate follow-up.

Sounds promising so far from those with experience. If the case is regulation size and weight I really don't see how they can charge. I emailed TSA to see ask them if it was permissible to be present during a screening but so far have not heard back. So much for the automated reply promising an immediate follow-up.

The only time I've been present for a screening is in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii - and the only reason I was there is because they do 100% hand screening of the baggage. In Boston, they do 100% x-ray screening, and it's behind the scenes. I doubt that you'll be able to be there with your bike. All I can say is that I've traveled a number of times with my bike, and I haven't had any problems. I think you have to go with the assumption that everything will be OK - otherwise you're going to drive yourself crazy! Just pack it well, make sure the case is under 50 pounds, and have a great trip!

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www.denisegoldberg.com (http://www.denisegoldberg.com)

I've just flown twice with my Bike Friday (to Spokane, WA, and Washington, DC). Both times they knew it was a bike, and both times it was checked as regular luggage. I was close on the weight limit to Spokane, however, since 50 lbs was the limit and I weighed it in at 49.5. Too many clothes and tools added in, I guess...

To me that sounds like perfectly optimized luggage packing!

--J

Just got back from CA. Took the bike with S & S couplings in the 26" hardcase box. At both airports, personnel banged and sorta threw the case on the conveyor belt. It was also opened on both flights. They took my floor pump apart and opened the bike bag (probably to check for CO2 cartridges) and didn't zip it back up. I did not have any scratches. I covered the frame and places where the rims and frame touched with the wrapping you can buy that is thinner than foam piping. I also had the plastic cyclinders that are sold as spacers in the case. They have to be stragetically placed between the spokes of the bicyle. When they repacked the bike, they did not put them back in place to prevent pressure on the wheels. I watched airport personnel at the LA airport force the case shut after they moved everything around. They would not let me help re-assemble the bike. I think I will use some kind of epoxy to glue the spacer disks into the case top and bottom. The bike is okay to my eyes, but I'll take it to the bike shop and make sure the wheels are true. Northwest Airlines did not charge me extra and I did not take out extra insurance.