I'm looking for peolpe's experience taking folding bikes on airlines as checked luggage on domestic routes (NOT international). I'd like to hear from people who, in the last year, have successfully or unsuccessfully checked their folding bike without an extra charge from the airline.

Additionally, what model bike did you have?
What size suitcase did you use?
What airline did you fly?

Most airlines now limit suitcases to 62 linear inches (length+width+height) and charge around $80 each way for anything over this limit (at least according to the airline web sites). There seem to be two common suitcases recommended for a 20-inch folder. The Samsonite Oyster 29-inch and the Samsonite F'Lite 31-inch.

The Oyster is just at the maximum published airline size but fitting a folder into this case is tricky and requires some disassemby. The F'Lite is a couple inches larger than the published specs but provides ample room for a bike.

I am considering buying a couple Dahon folders for my wife and me to take on vaction this year. I'd like to be able to use F'Lite suitcases for them, but do not wish to be surprised at the airline terminal. After all, if they are going to charge extra, we may as well take our full size bikes.

What has been your experiences?