axolotl

Someone (not me) started a Facebook group titled "Bicyclist Boycotting Delta Airlines" after Delta instituted a policy charging US$200 for a bicycle, EVEN a folding bicycle that fits in a regular suitcase. He posts the e-mail he received from Delta which clearly states that even folding bikes are subject to the $200 fee. The creator of the group owns a Dahon. I urge anyone who is a Facebook member and who is fed up with airline bicycle fees to join the group.

brakemeister

I am against of lying .. but I pack it in a regular suitcase and say absolutely nothing.

If somebody actually askes I say its a wheelchair which I need sometimes ....
Golf stuff sailboards and what else not flys free ( or at least used to )
I have no shame to bend the rules in that respect
thor

prathmann

I rather doubt this applying to a bike that fits in a regular suitcase since I've flown quite a bit with my Bike Friday on a variety of airlines, incl. Delta, and *no one* has ever asked me what was inside the suitcase. They've sometimes asked if I packed it myself and always had it in my possession, but never about the actual contents. Of course this is with a completely normal looking Samsonite case. I suspect there might be more scrutiny from some overeager airline attendant if the suitcase was emlazoned with a big 'Dahon' or 'Bike Friday' emblem. Not that it should really make any difference if it fits within the weight and size rules, but a case without such an indication seems like the best way to avoid having to argue about the legitimacy of excess charges.

Of course the TSA guys will see what's inside and sometimes even open the case to inspect it further, but that's after the suitcase is already checked in and is separate from the airline operation

jur

Well it IS a single inline wheelchair...

Pscyclepath

I flew from Little Rock via Memphis to Washington DC and back three weeks ago for the National Bike Summit, on Delta, with my Bike Friday Tikit in its canvas travel bag. I got charged $30 each way for the extra piece of luggage, but that was it...

Zark

$200 for a folding bike is dumb. I've read about the other posters above who have gotten away with not paying that, but since its an official policy you never can know when it might suddenly be enforced. I live in NYC and the airport personnel here can be much, much more strict and don't really give anyone any breaks. I'd hate to be at the airport with a folding bike in a suitcase that was x-rayed and then suddenly be faced with a $200 charge. What's really stupid is that if you shipped that bike for far less, it could very well end up on that same flight as cargo anyway.

I was actually thinking about getting a folding bike soon--but since I take Delta and hearing about this I'm not so sure.

Baboo

I generally try to avoid Delta, but don't fly much anyway. The last time I flew Delta a few months ago the check in person measured my wife's luggage with a tape measure, ( is was withing regulations) , funny thing was I was using the bike friday nwt suitcase as my luggage (no bike inside), it's a little oversized they didn't measure it.
As other posters have said the xrays are done after baggage check in by TSA and have nothing to do with the airlines. From my experience with airlines and luggage they don't ask what's inside and I don't volunteer any information.
Delta seems to be at the pinnacle of gouging on baggage charges, at least they are the best as something.
I'm retired now and take some other form of transportation whenever possible, I just hate to give these theives in the airline industry any of my money.

Allen

Geekybiker

Its not a wheelchair. It's a 'mobility assistance device'. Which of course a bicycle absolutely is. The drone at the counter will probably just assume its a weird walker sort of thing and let it go. At least then you can never be accused of fraud.

crackerdog

or say it bicycle parts.

prathmann

Delta, and other airlines, don't x-ray anything (that's the TSA's job and they're completely separate), nor do they ever ask you to inventory the contents of your normal-looking luggage. So get a folder that fits in a regular suitcase and don't worry about it.

No, just say "I'd like to check this bag."