Originally Posted by
jefnvk
Sounds like the bags are getting enough love to just go with that. They are an option, they are sold at the airport, listed right on the airline's website. Saves me having to transport the box to and from town, too.
My only experience was flying out of Amsterdam, which sells massive bike boxes right at the terminal. Think they were $20 or so, easy to put together, and incredibly sturdy. Big enough you could just roll the bike right in with nothing but turning the handlebars, don't even recall having to take the pedals off.
one important issue to take into consideration is that in real life, sometimes things are not as advertised, ie if you arrive at the airport and Joe-Blow on the phone told you the day before that, "sure, we have boxes/bags" and then you arrive there and no one can find them, well thats a problem.
this is why I personally have taken care of my bike always before arriving at airport. I prefer to cover the situation and be sure of it.
Part of this comes from all kinds of examples in my life of things not being as expected, orders for work, you name it , that have been a big waste of time and inconvenience.
you pays you money, you takes your chances