Some experiences with a flying non-folder and a flying folder).

United July 2002: Boston-Denver RT. 1984 Raleigh flying in a soft Rome bike bag (bad idea): damage to bottom bracket and derailleur. Samsonite luggage: zipper destroyed, tools stolen. UAL response. We're going into bankruptcy. Make out this form with receipts for all tools etc. Then get in our creditors' line.

Aerlingus July 2004: Boston-Dublin RT 2003 Dahon Vitesse folder flying in a Dahon One-Shot bag undamaged (bike cocooned in a 70 x 200 x 3.5 cm Tempurpedic "Travel Set" overlay mattress). http://www.foamorder.com/tempur-pedic_3.html Entire tool set (LBS in Ireland are few and far between) in separate Samsonite luggage stolen. Again no receipts-so no recovery ;-(

Lessons learned: (1) Tempurpedic viscoelastic material is not only good for your back but protects folders against gorillas. (2) Photograph luggage packed with tools (with front page of NYT) on day of departure (if possible) to provide proof of pre-existence of tools. Have all sales receipts, etc. (3) Don't pack a Park PW-3 15 mm and 9/16 inch exquisite pedal wrench. I've lost three. Maybe it looks like a Kalashnikov to the untutored, klepto security inspectors ;-)