Bernooch

Hello this is my first post just joined this site , this is probably in the wrong section to be posting , no idea ? But im going overseas to south america and bringing my bike ( mountain bike converted into touring bike ) . Im flying through Continental so i thought everything was good because there policy said " if it boxed properly and under 50 pounds its free . But as i checked their policy again i realized it said bike needs to be in a box less than 62 linear inches ( L + W + H ) in order to be free , this seems a little small to fit my mountain bike in with both wheels , other wise its a 100 $ fee eachway . Id like to avoid this fee if i can . Does anyone have any ideas ? I was thinking maybe getting a box with the required dimensions ( 62 linear inches ) putting my bike in there without the wheels ? will this work ? I was thinking i could get another bag / suitcase packing up my wheels REALLY TIGHT AND SECURELY and checking them on separately ? I know this probably wont be advised due to the way luggage is handled . Anyone got any ideas ? i like doing things cheap .

1nterceptor

If you take apart your bike almost completely, handlebars, cranks, fork;
you may be able to squeeze one bike to the 2 checkins allowed. But then
you will have to deal with all the taking the bike apart and putting it back
a few times. Plus you have to bring more tools.

For me the hassle wasn't worth it. When I went to Asia this past Dec/Jan,
I just picked up a cheap mountain bike there. Walmart's cheapest bike is
$75 I think, I got a new mountain bike in the Philippines for the equivalent
of $40. I'm sure you can find a similar deal in South America.

Steve0000

Measure up a standard bike box available from your LBS for free. If it comes under the total inches allowed, then try the following advice...

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p..._id=124052&v=8

Machka 

A standard bicycle box will NOT come under those dimensions. Sorry, but it's the airline's way to ensure that most cyclists will indeed pay the fee.

When you are considering flying somewhere, the first thing you need to do is to consider your airline options. Some airlines charge for bicycles, some don't. Have a read over this site for information on flying with your bicycle:
https://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

But know that airlines change their rules quite frequently so you'll have to check the baggage regulations for the airline you've chosen ... and not only baggage regulations, but regulations regarding bicycles. Airlines are reducing the size of box you can bring a bicycle in, and they are also reducing the weight you can carry. Check before you book the flight ... but check again the week before you leave because the rules could have changed.

Not only do airlines have tight regulations, but some airports do as well, Heathrow for example, required at one point (and may still) that anyone leaving the airport could only have 1 piece of carry-on. Your airline might allow 2 pieces, but Heathrow allowed only 1 ... and that caught a lot of people out.

Do your research, and fly prepared.

MichaelW

Note that airlines have their requirements but airports have others. Any hold luggage must be small enough to pass through the X-ray machine. In some airports, a complete boxed bike will fit, in others you have to remove the front wheel.
Check the airline fees for handling sports equipment (skis, surfboards etc, they often include bikes and charge an extra fee).

imi

+ gadzillions


Back in the day (just a few years ago) you could often get away with a smile and "it's bicycle parts" or your box/bags may not even be weighed or measured (or counted)... but things have changed enormously... Read the small print on baggage allowances and "sporting items/bicycles" meticulously... pack, weigh and measure everything at home first and adhere to the guidelines. Check if you can put other stuff in the bike box (panniers, tools, helmet etc) this may not be allowed, and your bike box WILL be opened for security screening... oh and beware "code-sharing"!

Even folding bikes and S&S couplers may not help if you've only got one checked in bag allowance :/ excess baggage fees are horrendous, so you end up paying for a piece of sporting equipment anyhows if you check in any other bag.

Consider wearing all (an' I mean ALL) your clothes on the flight, including rain gear, maxing out your hand-baggage with your soft gear (sleeping bag, tent etc) and putting all the sharp stuff (knife, tools, tent poles and pegs) in the bike box while keeping it's total weight under 20/23kg. Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste etc) which are forbidden as hand-baggage can usually be bought at destination.

I've never tried wearing my helmet onto the plane, ("it's just a hat, nice security person" - "and I'm scared about crashing") but it'd probably not be allowed "for your own safety" (an' I don't think they mean rotational forces)

edit: British Airways have reverted to being bicycle friendly. Last time I looked you could max out a bike in a box with other gear up to 23kg... or pay £30 for up to 32kg

"What to do with larger/bulky items:
You may take bags up to the dimensions 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.

This allows you to take items such as sporting equipment and musical instruments etc at no additional cost."

... but don't quote me

Bernooch

Thanks for all the advice , also i didnt know each airport had guidelines on boxes for x - ray etc . . very helpful ill look into that . I think for all the trouble i would go through trying to save the 100 $ fee wouldnt be worth it . Started boxing up my bike and getting ready to fly to Lima ! .

spinnaker

+1


On my return from Malpensa, Italy my bike case just barely fit through the X-Ray machine. And I mean barely. I had to reach (with permission) and push on the handle to collapse it so it would make it through the opening.

spinnaker

Yikes that could be extremely uncomfortable and hot. I would never consider that. I'd rather pay the extra bucks for the extra bag.

dorkypants

Given that a standard single bike equipped with S&S Bicycle Torque Couplers (which allow the main triangle to come apart) fits into a 26"x26"x10" (i.e., 62 linear inch) case; and that even the Ritchey Breakaway, which is designed to disassemble around its seat tube, goes into a case exceeding 62 linear inches; I can't imagine fitting a conventional full-size bike (road, cross or MTB) into a container measuring no more than 62 linear inches.

TSA is likely to open the case because of all the metal in it, but they don't care whether or not the airline it's going on charges for bikes. On the other hand, because the contents are likely to be inspected, you want to make sure it's easy to look into without disturbing the contents so much they can't easily close the box/case back up. Any small pieces should be bagged into clear, sealed plastic containers, and tied to the bike or case so the containers don't fall out.

You can tell the check-in agent whatever you wish regarding the contents ("it's exercise equipment", "it's parts for a fitness exhibit"). Of course, if it looks like a duck, smells like a duck and walks like a duck, you'll have a hard time making them believe it's not a duck.

dorkypants

Helmets: I've always brought my helmet with me on board. It's a piece of headwear, and every airline I've traveled on has allowed passengers one piece of headwear in addition to their one carryon and one other small item.

fietsbob

Call it an inline wheel chair?


maybe the requirement is bite the bullet and pay the oversize over weight fee.
perhaps once you get nailed for the overweight fee you can pack more gear
in the carton since you are already over.

imi

Nope! This is the sort of thing that you maybe used to get away with (if you are the charming sort)... nowadays forget it :/

however, maybe, just maybe, if you have a doctor's letter that says your bike is handicap equipment due to an ambulatory (walking) disability, it should be carried free by the airline. If this is a genuine condition I'd check with the airline before buying a ticket.

imi

once you're on the plane you can take all the outer layers off and stuff them in a plastic bag in the overhead compartment... htfu! (just kidding)