Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
^ I've never been charged for a bike in an S&S coupler. It fits in a standard size and weight suitcase. The clear intent of the bicycle charge in their tarrif is because a standard bike case is over dimension and requires special handling.
A bike in an S&S case places no burden on the Airline over handling any other piece of standard dimension luggage.
A clever ticket agent might try to apply the bicycle charge, but I've never seen it done. And a number of people in the tandem forum will tell you they have flown multiple times with S&S cases and never been charged.
I was in on a tandem trip recently and many were charged. Some of the airlines now charge for a bicycle or sporting equipment even if it fits in the limits. My last flight was on Canada Air and my tandem was $100 plus another charge (can't remember how much) for being overweight.