Airport security...

Hey S&S or no S&S doesn't matter. We went to France this year to watch the last 10 days of the tour and when we got to the airport they opened the case. I had a very easy going inspector who kept the case near me and I helped her to identify how to close the case.

My friend had an iron-case (non-S&S bike) and a guy opened the case, pulled stuff out, put it back in and let my firend look before he closed it. My friend said "looks OK" and then the guy slammed the lid down and proceed to put his body weight on the case to close it. Bent some spokes on the rear wheel.

So you ain't gonna escape this by avoiding S&S. One thing about the HARD CASE for S&S is that it closes like a suit case whereas the iron-case overlaps as two large platic boxes... This means you get a large volume of air trapped and this is what the guy was trying to squeeze out but he squeezed too long and bent the spokes (against the seat stay). The S&S in the hard case is easier to see if it is getting pinched.

Also: you could pack the frame in one case and the wheels in another. We did this for the tandem as you cannot get the frame and wheels into one case anyway. The nice thing about a second hard case for the wheels is there is plenty of room for helmets and cycling clothing and such (light stuff that won't bend spokes). For either way of shipping I would insist you LOCK the case with a PADLOCK and when they ask you to unlock it you take your time and explain in LOTS OF LONG DRAWN OUT DETAIL that this is a bicycle and it is packed in a special way and it cost several thousands of dollars and if they close it wrong they WILL be responsible for the damage. If they ignore or pretend to listen to you, simply insist on a supervisor. Take charge.


P.S. A guy on our trip shipped his bike FedX/UPS not sure which, did it TWO WEEKS before the trip and it was still sitting in customs when the ride started.

He took it is stride and bought a $4000 bike (don't remember the brand) from JAJA's bike shop in Toulouse where we started our trip.

So finally to S&S or not to S&S... Well I can certanly tell you it is much nicer to carry a suitcase sized piece of luggage... You don't have to check it special (if you keep the box under 70lbs)... You don't have to go to the SPECIAL baggage pickup to get it. and you don't have to pay extra (Delta charges $90 per leg for oversize/special luggage <esp bicycle>).