General Cycling Discussion - Crazy transportation fees

Did some research to see how much it would cost to take my bike on my trip to Colorado next week. Airline wants $100 round trip to transport the bicycle. Then my ground transportation from the airport wants another $180 round trip! And this is assuming I use the cardboard box I took from my bike shop's dumpster. Otherwise I'd have to spend another $300 to buy a traveling case.

Shipping UPS ground would cost about $150 round trip, but I have a bike event here 2 days before my trip. :mad:

Everything's so expensive

Wait until the airlines start charging for you to use the overhead bin and recline the seat. Then there will be an oxygen charge... Eventually they'll stack us like wood, or jam us into tubes and eject us over our destination. (with an extra ejection charge, of course)

Virgin America charges $0 for bikes.

Amtrak charges $5.

Some places they charge $5. Some places more. We took a trip last month on Amtrak and the bikes were $5 apiece for the first part, and they had to be boxed and checked. For the much shorter second part they were roll on, but that was $10. We thought it was funny that my daughter's ticket for that part was cheaper than her bike fee. We had a good time on that trip, and even with those fees taking the train was a good deal, but our travel time was 20 hours each way, and that's a long time for 450 miles. If we'd had less time those stupid airline fees would have been worth it.

QANTAS wanted to charge me $950 in excess baggage to fly my bike approx 350km. They eventually relented but still charged me an extra $100. Didn't charge me any extra on the return leg of the journey - wouldn't of wanted to either after causing me to miss my connecting flight after taking 3 hours to go through customs and transfer from international to domestic terminal. :crash:

The thing that gets me is I weigh 70kg but pay the same price for my air ticket as someone who weighs 170kg, but if I have a few extra kg in baggage I basically get raped by the airline. :notamused:

Did some research to see how much it would cost to take my bike on my trip to Colorado next week. Airline wants $100 round trip to transport the bicycle. Then my ground transportation from the airport wants another $180 round trip! And this is assuming I use the cardboard box I took from my bike shop's dumpster. Otherwise I'd have to spend another $300 to buy a traveling case.

Shipping UPS ground would cost about $150 round trip, but I have a bike event here 2 days before my trip. :mad:

Everything's so expensive


Yes. You must be new to travelling with your bicycle. :D

Here's some light reading for you. Some of this info may be out of date, you'll want to check the actual airline websites for the most up to date info.
http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

An acquaintance, with SJS connections to break his ordinary bike down, puts it in a strong cardboard box and labels it "Artwork". Packs everything else light and keeps within the weight limit, usually.

An acquaintance, with SJS connections to break his ordinary bike down, puts it in a strong cardboard box and labels it "Artwork". Packs everything else light and keeps within the weight limit, usually.

That is the first recommendation I've seen since 9-11-2001 to deliberately misidentify airline luggage.

That is the first recommendation I've seen since 9-11-2001 to deliberately misidentify airline luggage.

My bike is a work of art.

Check into some cycling organisations as some of them might have cut some deals with particular airlines. I joined the Canadian Cycling Federation (I think that is the proper name) because they made a deal with Air Canada to ship bikes as checked baggage (no extra charge).

My bike is a work of art.

Tell it to the Homeland Security Fellows. Maybe you and they will have a good laugh as your flight takes off without you.

That is the first recommendation I've seen since 9-11-2001 to deliberately misidentify airline luggage.

You obviously don't frequent the road forum and follow the posts of a person by the name of botto ... although he is starting to change his tune.


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=545312

For Amtrak it does depend on the equipment. Amtrak California equipment has racks and do not charge.

You obviously don't frequent the road forum and follow the posts of a person by the name of botto ... although he is starting to change his tune.


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=545312
You are right I don't frequent the road forum but I read the thread you referenced. Botto mentioned that he previously had done the misidentification trick but made sure to not mention how long ago that was.

I previously rode my bike to the Philadelphia Airport turned my bike in to baggage after turning the pedals around, wasn't charged a thing to bring the bike to Chicago, and rode my bike from O'Hare to the North side where my brother lived; then went back the same way also with no baggage charge. Of course that was 36 years ago; what used to be true for airlines ain't so no more. Heck I probably got served a meal on the flight too.

You obviously don't frequent the road forum and follow the posts of a person by the name of botto ... although he is starting to change his tune.


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=545312

you obviously never got the point.

You are right I don't frequent the road forum but I read the thread you referenced. Botto mentioned that he previously had done the misidentification trick but made sure to not mention how long ago that was.

I previously rode my bike to the Philadelphia Airport turned my bike in to baggage after turning the pedals around, wasn't charged a thing to bring the bike to Chicago, and rode my bike from O'Hare to the North side where my brother lived; then went back the same way also with no baggage charge. Of course that was 36 years ago; what used to be true for airlines ain't so no more. Heck I probably got served a meal on the flight too.

more times than i care to remember in the post 9/11 world.

If you can fit a bike into a box the size of a large luggage, I don't see why the airlines should charge any more for it than they would a regular suitcase. It'd probably weigh less than the majority of people's luggage

more times than i care to remember in the post 9/11 world.

Any bad experiences because of deliberately misidentified luggage? Just like smuggling, it may be fun or profitible until one day it isn't.

Any bad experiences because of deliberately misidentified luggage? Just like smuggling, it may be fun or profitible until one day it isn't.

Is there a rule/law against misidentified packages? I doubt it.

So, if the reason for the misinformation is to get past higher fees, then it might be the airline that would complain, I can't imagine it is a security issue unless it is weapon.

Of course, I can't imagine that it is any safer to fly because everyone takes their shoes off for security either. I kind of hope someone tries to light their pants on a flight... It would make security lines more interesting.

Any bad experiences because of deliberately misidentified luggage? Just like smuggling, it may be fun or profitible until one day it isn't.

none.

btw - calling a bike "sports equipment" isn't deliberate misidentification.

none.

btw - calling a bike "sports equipment" isn't deliberate misidentification.

"Sports equipment" = True; "Artwork" = False. I suspect a TSA guy having a bad day that caught some smart donkey pulling that stunt on his luggage, would use the rules to give the ass a worse day.

Is there a rule/law against misidentified packages? I doubt it..

Misidentify hazardous material and you will learn different. Or anything Homeland Security thinks is hazardous like any liquids or gels.

I'm having a hard time with the idea that a bicycle in a box isn't art. I mean, art is such a fantastically large term that pretty much anything could be considered either a completed work or a work in progress.

I guess what I'm saying is that a bike in a box is as much art as anything else in a box. It's not really misidentification.

I'm having a hard time with the idea that a bicycle in a box isn't art. I mean, art is such a fantastically large term that pretty much anything could be considered either a completed work or a work in progress.

I guess what I'm saying is that a bike in a box is as much art as anything else in a box. It's not really misidentification.
I suppose your idea is the opposite side of the coin from the security types who think pretty much anything taken on an airplane could be used by an evil doer for nefarious purposes. The point is when you get cute with the security types with your explanation for why the package is not what it says it is, they may get inquisitive about what other little white lies you might be telling. And you may be the one making alternative travel arrangements.

"Sports equipment" = True; "Artwork" = False. I suspect a TSA guy having a bad day that caught some smart donkey pulling that stunt on his luggage, would use the rules to give the ass a worse day.


always tell tsa what's inside. those idiots are too stupid to understand the the meaning of non full disclosure.

onthe other hand, go ahead and tell the check in "sports equipment", or "artwork." they're the ones who charge you, not the tsa.

Nobody has ever asked me what is in my checked luggage.

Flying with two giant Bike Friday cases, the Portland Airport people didn't ask what was in the cases, so we didn't tell. Then we went over to the x-ray machine, and you could see the wheels/spokes/bicycle bits. Nobody minded. (Mind you these are not oversized cases, and they weigh in at just under the 50lbs limit)

Funny thing was on landing in Vancouver when we both declared imports over the normal Canadian allowance. Friend I traveled with had to go over and pay duty, while next-door customs officer just waved me through.

always tell tsa what's inside. those idiots are too stupid to understand the the meaning of non full disclosure.

onthe other hand, go ahead and tell the check in "sports equipment", or "artwork." they're the ones who charge you, not the tsa.

Sounds like a good game plan to me.

Something is wrong with your ground transportation deal, unless it includes a *******, but the airline price is right for a domestic flight, and they will definately let you use a cardboard box

I suppose your idea is the opposite side of the coin from the security types who think pretty much anything taken on an airplane could be used by an evil doer for nefarious purposes. The point is when you get cute with the security types with your explanation for why the package is not what it says it is, they may get inquisitive about what other little white lies you might be telling. And you may be the one making alternative travel arrangements.

Not entirely sure, ILTB, how anything in the luggage hold could be used for nefarious purposes, except for a bomb or unpleasant chemicals, etc. In a world where a urinal can be an art object, a bike shaped object could perfectly well be "artwork".

Especially as my friend could ride it to prove that he's a performance artist.

"Sports equipment" = True; "Artwork" = False. I suspect a TSA guy having a bad day that caught some smart donkey pulling that stunt on his luggage, would use the rules to give the ass a worse day.
I suspect that the TSA completely ignores any "labels" (unless they indicate that the contents are dangerous) on luggage: the TSA isn't looking for bicycles or artwork.


Misidentify hazardous material and you will learn different. Or anything Homeland Security thinks is hazardous like any liquids or gels.
Who is talking about misidentifying hazardous materials? Do you list every thing that is in your luggage?

I suspect that the TSA completely ignores any "labels" (unless they indicate that the contents are dangerous) on luggage: the TSA isn't looking for bicycles or artwork.


Who is talking about misidentifying hazardous materials? Do you list every thing that is in your luggage?
You must not have seen quote that I was specifically responding to:

Is there a rule/law against misidentified packages? I doubt it.

If a package is obviously something else, say a bike box labeled as "artwork" in order to fool somebody I suspect that the traveler might have to answer more questions before their luggage gets put on the plane.

Is there a rule/law against misidentified packages? I doubt it.

So, if the reason for the misinformation is to get past higher fees, then it might be the airline that would complain, I can't imagine it is a security issue unless it is weapon.


I would not go that far as to doubt it. Especially today.

Besides, it does not really matter. Just let TSA catch you in a lie like that and they can make you life a living hell. They can argue, it you are lying about what you are transporting then you can be hiding something else.

I was on a flight right after this whole enhanced security thing got started. I was in a short line to go through security. The line was not well marked and it turns out it was for employees only. We were informed that we had to get in another line. I and just about everyone else, except for one man, went to the back of the long lines. This other man tried to cut the line. When he was told he needed to go to the back of the line he got belligerent. He promptly had his butt hauled out of line for a "special" security clearance. Most likely missed his flight.

Nobody has ever asked me what is in my checked luggage.

Flying with two giant Bike Friday cases, the Portland Airport people didn't ask what was in the cases, so we didn't tell. Then we went over to the x-ray machine, and you could see the wheels/spokes/bicycle bits. Nobody minded. (Mind you these are not oversized cases, and they weigh in at just under the 50lbs limit)

Funny thing was on landing in Vancouver when we both declared imports over the normal Canadian allowance. Friend I traveled with had to go over and pay duty, while next-door customs officer just waved me through.

Because contrary to popular belief, airlines are not charging you just because it is a bicycle. They are charging you because of the size of the box. Go ahead and tell them it is artwork or whatever you want, you will still be charged. If not then you got very lucky and were dealing with someone not aware of the rules.

Did some research to see how much it would cost to take my bike on my trip to Colorado next week. Airline wants $100 round trip to transport the bicycle. Then my ground transportation from the airport wants another $180 round trip! And this is assuming I use the cardboard box I took from my bike shop's dumpster. Otherwise I'd have to spend another $300 to buy a traveling case.

Shipping UPS ground would cost about $150 round trip, but I have a bike event here 2 days before my trip. :mad:

Everything's so expensive

Why on earth do they want $180 for ground transport? How far are you going? What would it cost if it was just you?

What I'd like is for someone to fly to Heathrow from LAX and back ... or LAX to Sydney and back ... or Calgary to Heathrow, LAX, or Sydney and back .... or even better Calgary to Vancouver to LAX to Sydney and back (in other words international travel between one or more major airports) ... and when you encounter the airline offiicals (check-in counter, X-ray people, security people, etc. etc.) stick to your story that the box contains artwork.

When you return from your trip, give us a detailed description of how the conversations went.

I'm really curious how the "artwork" story would go over. So far I've only ever heard of people who have been thinking of doing this. :)

You must not have seen quote that I was specifically responding to:


If a package is obviously something else, say a bike box labeled as "artwork" in order to fool somebody I suspect that the traveler might have to answer more questions before their luggage gets put on the plane.

Nah, the TSA would ignore any labels. Labels on luggage have zero meaning to the TSA. (Note: the TSA might pay attention to labels that indicate that the contents are in-some-way hazardous.)

Lots of people reuse boxes without obscuring the indicators of original content. They do this all the time.

===============

Note that I'm not advocating mislabeling anything.

Keep in mind that if you misrepresent the contents to the airline, you may have trouble getting reimbursed for damages. Since the airlines treat (or should treat) a bicycle differently than other luggage, calling it "sports equipment" is a misrepresentation because it would keep them from treating it like a bicycle.

===============


Because contrary to popular belief, airlines are not charging you just because it is a bicycle. They are charging you because of the size of the box. Go ahead and tell them it is artwork or whatever you want, you will still be charged. If not then you got very lucky and were dealing with someone not aware of the rules.

For Continental Airlines, the basic restriction on bicycles is as oversized luggage. Regardless, they do require bicycles to be packed in a particular way for the carrier to be liable for damage. In the Continental Airlines case, there is no benefit to mislabeling a bicycle and there is a disadvantage to doing so.

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/checkbag.aspx
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/sports.aspx

Nah, the TSA would ignore any labels. Labels on luggage have zero meaning to the TSA. (Note: the TSA might pay attention to labels that indicate that the contents are in-some-way hazardous.)

Lots of people reuse boxes without obscuring the indicators of original content. They do this all the time.

===============

Note that I'm not advocating mislabeling anything.

Keep in mind that if you misrepresent the contents to the airline, you may have trouble getting reimbursed for damages. Since the airlines treat (or should treat) a bicycle differently than other luggage, calling it "sports equipment" is a misrepresentation because it would keep them from treating it like a bicycle.

===============



For Continental Airlines, the basic restriction on bicycles is as oversized luggage. Regardless, they do require bicycles to be packed in a particular way for the carrier to be liable for damage. In the Continental Airlines case, there is no benefit to mislabeling a bicycle and there is a disadvantage to doing so.

http: //www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/checkbag.aspx
http:// www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/sports.aspx

after paying to travel with a bike, you have to sign a waiver which removes all responsibility from the airlines, if the bike is damaged.

thus, your pointy is moot.

Has anyone checked a bike box recently? How much?

Has anyone checked a bike box recently? How much?

What do you mean? Are you asking how much it costs to bring a bicycle on an airplane? If so, the answer is .................... it depends.

It depends on the airline, and it depends on the person standing at the check-in counter, and sometimes it depends on the airport.



I flew from Calgary, Alberta to Melbourne, Australia recently (June), and paid $50 for my bicycle in a cardboard box. That flight included three airlines: Air Canada, United, and Qantas. Air Canada charged me the $50. Because I opted to transfer to United in Vancouver, I was still considered to be on an Air Canada flight and was not charged any additional fees for my bicycle. Had I opted to transfer to United in Denver, I would have had to pay another fee for my bicycle ($175 or something). Qantas does not charge for bicycles so there were no additional fees there when I checked in in Los Angeles.

Many of these airlines have a maximum and minimum fee they can charge. The minimum fee is a basic fee for a bicycle. The maximum fee is that fee, plus oversized and overweight fees. If you hassle the person standing at the check-in counter and make his/her life miserable, he/she has the option of charging you as much as he/she possibly can. If you are friendly and courteous and nice to the person standing at the check-in counter, he/she will be more inclined to charge you the minimum fee.

One additional factor the fees may depend on is the airport. Airports like Heathrow seem to charge more than, say, the Calgary International Airport. Airports can also make rules about what can and cannot be included in baggage options. Heathrow, for example, made a rule in 2007 that people could only take one item of carry-on onto any flights leaving from that airport ... even if the actual airline allowed two pieces of carry-on. I don't know if that rule is still in effect, but it caught a lot of people by surprise ... especially these ones who insist on trying to get a suitcase or two as their carry-on.

The rules and regulations do change regularly, so it is a very good idea to look up your particular airline a week or so before your flight to see what the current rules and regulations are.

This site will give you some of that information, but you will need to look up your particular airline to ensure you get the most current information: http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

I think airlines should weigh travelers with all their baggage and charge accordingly. It's all freight.
I paid no extra fee the last 2 out of 3 trips I did with a road bike inside an unpadded bike bag (wheels, post, pedals, bars off). It was €60 the one segment for which I paid. All inside EU flights.