I booked a flight on Southwest and am a bit concerned about the rules for box size. I see two different and possibly conflicting policies. The "Sports Equipment" bike rules say:

"Non-motorized Bicycles, including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, will be accepted in substitution of a free piece of checked baggage at no additional charge provided the bicycle is properly packaged and the box containing the bicycle fits within the 62-inch sizing limit and weighs 50 lbs or less . (Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage). The handlebars, kickstand, and pedals must be removed and placed inside the box. A $50.00 each-way charge applies to bicycles that don’t meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item."

Note the lack of a maximum measurement with the $50 bike charge.

The oversize baggage section says:

"Weight and Size Allowance: Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. Effective June 17, 2009, overweight items from 51 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches (e.g.; surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge of $50 per item."

The "not more than 80 inches" concerns me, but since I have never seen a bike box for a regular bike without couplers that is under 80" I figure they must not enforce that for bikes especially since they they don't mention it is the sports equipment section.

Has anyone been refused on Southwest because their bike box was over 80"?

I did call SW and got an answer that it was OK, but I still wonder if a baggage clerk is likely to interpret it differently.