Gosh, all this makes me wonder why there is so much lack of uniformity (i.e., inconsistency) in the system of commecial carrier travel. Every trip to the airlines or bus service would be/is stressful when you don't know what to expect. You don't want to get stranded, pay high fees, or have your bike damaged because it gets placed in a spot for transport that you weren't prepared for.

On our local transit I am asking the question - "do you allow folding bikes on and if you do what are the restrictions?" Many on this forum say just don't ask (cover it or just bluff your way on etc.), but I think the only way to have it consistent from driver to driver and route to route - so that you can count on getting home or getting to your destination - is to ask the question so that the answer can be disseminated throughout the system. In addition, I have offered to demostrate boarding and stowage options to the "powers to be" and have linked them to some good resources and successful examples of other transit agencies that allow folders.