Flying with my Brompton: gate-checking experience
07-25-11 | 08:50 PM
#51
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From: Northern New England
Bikes: recumbent, mtn bike, road bike
Hi! I have a racing green Brompton 2010 and I'm overjoyed with it. I just had my first experience flying with it and thought this would be a good place to share.
I chose Southwest, for their clear policies on gate checking and generally relaxed approach to air travel. Flew SFO to Chicago Midway airport and had no problems. On the contrary, I have never had people be more friendly to me when flying in the United States.
First thing that made me nervous was security, which is basically never fun. This time around the TSA were all smiles: they are as susceptible to the Brompton charm as anyone. The Brommie almost wouldn't fit through the baggage X-ray, but by turning the seat completely sideways it fits eerily well, as though designed specifically to fit through that particular window.
When I got to the Southwest gate it was the same story: they loved the bike and had no problem checking it. Note that I left the seat (a Brooks) on the bike, the only special packing was a strap to keep the whole thing together (a la Todd Fahrner). When I arrived in Midway, there was my tiny little bike in the "oversized" section, next to the guitars and strollers. It came off the line before the rest of the luggage, and since I checked nothing, I was ready to go!
This next part will make sense if you know Midway. There's a lengthy walk from the terminal to the Orange Line El station, and it was the middle of the night. I silently and nonchalantly biked this entire section, reducing a seven minute baggage dragging slog to about 45 seconds of surprising and amusing the late night security.
I'm hooked, and won't be flying without my bike again. One thing I might do differently is put a simple cover on the saddle, but then again, when has a scratch or two done anything but added character and beauty to a Brooks? Not that the saddle was any more scratched when it came out than when I put it in...
Anyway, I have now transported the Brompton by bus, cab, train, subway and airplane. It's like some magic spackle that fills in all the gaps left by public transportation. So now I'm off to find a boat to take me somewhere!
I chose Southwest, for their clear policies on gate checking and generally relaxed approach to air travel. Flew SFO to Chicago Midway airport and had no problems. On the contrary, I have never had people be more friendly to me when flying in the United States.
First thing that made me nervous was security, which is basically never fun. This time around the TSA were all smiles: they are as susceptible to the Brompton charm as anyone. The Brommie almost wouldn't fit through the baggage X-ray, but by turning the seat completely sideways it fits eerily well, as though designed specifically to fit through that particular window.
When I got to the Southwest gate it was the same story: they loved the bike and had no problem checking it. Note that I left the seat (a Brooks) on the bike, the only special packing was a strap to keep the whole thing together (a la Todd Fahrner). When I arrived in Midway, there was my tiny little bike in the "oversized" section, next to the guitars and strollers. It came off the line before the rest of the luggage, and since I checked nothing, I was ready to go!
This next part will make sense if you know Midway. There's a lengthy walk from the terminal to the Orange Line El station, and it was the middle of the night. I silently and nonchalantly biked this entire section, reducing a seven minute baggage dragging slog to about 45 seconds of surprising and amusing the late night security.
I'm hooked, and won't be flying without my bike again. One thing I might do differently is put a simple cover on the saddle, but then again, when has a scratch or two done anything but added character and beauty to a Brooks? Not that the saddle was any more scratched when it came out than when I put it in...
Anyway, I have now transported the Brompton by bus, cab, train, subway and airplane. It's like some magic spackle that fills in all the gaps left by public transportation. So now I'm off to find a boat to take me somewhere!
Excuse me if this is something everyone knows........but your Brompton............does it have 16 in wheels? Is that why it makes it through the TSA xray machine? For cost issues and my love of ss bikes I am considering a Dahon Speed uno...it has 20 inch wheels......do you suppose this would make it through the xray machine? Just wondering..........
Thanks for a great thread
07-27-11 | 03:20 AM
#52
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Obviously atman is not following this thread at the moment, but I'll throw in the question anyway, to be dealt with later and/or in case someone else has an experience: What about getting the lock through as a carry-on? I'd like to carry both a U-lock and a cable lock with the bike. Could these put the whole undertaking into risk? My personal experience is coming up in less than 2 weeks. I had already a simple Topeak tool with hex bits taken away from me, but that was outside of the US.
07-27-11 | 04:05 AM
#53
My legs hurt
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Farther behind you than I'd like to be
Bikes: Vaya, Brompton, '73 Schwinn Super Sport, Cresswell Fold-it, '81 Trek 610
Obviously atman is not following this thread at the moment, but I'll throw in the question anyway, to be dealt with later and/or in case someone else has an experience: What about getting the lock through as a carry-on? I'd like to carry both a U-lock and a cable lock with the bike. Could these put the whole undertaking into risk? My personal experience is coming up in less than 2 weeks. I had already a simple Topeak tool with hex bits taken away from me, but that was outside of the US.
If you are checking a bag, just pop the lock in there.
07-27-11 | 09:57 AM
#55
My legs hurt
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Farther behind you than I'd like to be
Bikes: Vaya, Brompton, '73 Schwinn Super Sport, Cresswell Fold-it, '81 Trek 610
08-08-11 | 01:45 PM
#56
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
OK, we have done our first round with a Brompton as a carry-on. Security was no issue at all. They spent more time examining the Brompton bag and my backpack than the bike. A cable coil lock on the bike was not a problem. We have not tried a U-lock yet.
The airline, Delta, however, was a problem. At the entrance to the first plane, we did not cover the bike and the agent was upset that we did not declare the bike at the check-in counter and pay the bike fee. Since the plane was about semi-boarded, he warned us that we have to do it next time and let us in. For the second leg, we put the Brompton cover on and claimed that it was a type of foldable stroller. The agent was suspicious regarding what was under the cover and exploring the possibilities of sending it off with checked luggage and putting the bike to an overhead bin. (The plane turned out to be large and it might have accommodated the bike there, but we did not want to try.) In the end, though, the agent was pressed with time and gave us the gate tag. My overall advice is to time the entrance to the plane right, not too early and not too late, so that the agent cannot spend much time on you.
The airline, Delta, however, was a problem. At the entrance to the first plane, we did not cover the bike and the agent was upset that we did not declare the bike at the check-in counter and pay the bike fee. Since the plane was about semi-boarded, he warned us that we have to do it next time and let us in. For the second leg, we put the Brompton cover on and claimed that it was a type of foldable stroller. The agent was suspicious regarding what was under the cover and exploring the possibilities of sending it off with checked luggage and putting the bike to an overhead bin. (The plane turned out to be large and it might have accommodated the bike there, but we did not want to try.) In the end, though, the agent was pressed with time and gave us the gate tag. My overall advice is to time the entrance to the plane right, not too early and not too late, so that the agent cannot spend much time on you.
08-08-11 | 02:08 PM
#57
New usename ThorUSA
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Southern Illinois USA
I am just waiting for the first report of somebody loosing his brommy because they want to save X dlr....
this from somebody who lost very small multitools, sample bicycle spokes, and whatnotelse through security....
I would get a regular suitcase and strip the bike and take it with me... in regular checked bagagge...
can somebody find out what the airline policies are in replacing a bicycle which was NOT declared ?
dont want to sound negative .... but timing the entrance to the gate ... sounds like a heart attack going to happen
thanks thor
this from somebody who lost very small multitools, sample bicycle spokes, and whatnotelse through security....
I would get a regular suitcase and strip the bike and take it with me... in regular checked bagagge...
can somebody find out what the airline policies are in replacing a bicycle which was NOT declared ?
dont want to sound negative .... but timing the entrance to the gate ... sounds like a heart attack going to happen
thanks thor
08-08-11 | 10:08 PM
#58
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From: Albany, WA
I have to agree... I have the impression that especially here in Aus, personnel tend to be suspicious in the extreme and will not make allowances etc. etc. So I am very apprehensive of trying this out. I think I will go the way of using a soft bag, together with using well-chosen padding.
08-09-11 | 03:07 AM
#59
My legs hurt
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Farther behind you than I'd like to be
Bikes: Vaya, Brompton, '73 Schwinn Super Sport, Cresswell Fold-it, '81 Trek 610
08-14-11 | 08:13 PM
#61
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From: Albany, WA
I flew to Perth with my Brommie in a suitcase this weekend, so I just checked that as luggage. On the way back, in front of me at the X-ray scanner there was a chap with a kite in a packet and for goodness sake, the security gorillas weren't sure that was OK! I have no hope of gate-checking my Brommie with that attitude. 
08-18-11 | 04:43 PM
#62
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
All right, next trip with an M6R completed. Summing up the experience so far, the security appears to be no problem, to be contrasted with gate agents. Again, optimal for plane entry has been the moment of stampede onto the gate. On the first leg, the agent grabbed the side of the Brompton hidden under the cover. We switched to a tale that it was a foldable walker. After all, you can walk with it 
. Seemed to work a tad better than a stroller claim. (A handicap sticker could help and the Brompton logo right at the center of the bag is of no help.) We further found that we could fit the Brompton into an overhead bin of a Boeing 757. The fit was tight and worked with wheels directed into the bin, away from you, i.e. the same way you put the Brompton onto the conveyor belt.
Otherwise, it looked that it might be good to equip the Brompton with some luggage handle attached to the frame and sticking out from the inside of the cover. One more observation is that the black color of the Brompton's frame might be optimal for the operation, as minimizing the attention, when the cover needs to be open from top, in order to grab the frame or to attach the Brompton bag.
I am sorry about the AU situation. In my experience, the check-in and gate agents are much more flexible when flying out of the US than when flying in, so I would be hesitant trying out the carry-on option within an international travel. The travel with a NWT in a hardshell suitcase is now for us routine and I've also done international with a Dahon in a soft bag.
. Seemed to work a tad better than a stroller claim. (A handicap sticker could help and the Brompton logo right at the center of the bag is of no help.) We further found that we could fit the Brompton into an overhead bin of a Boeing 757. The fit was tight and worked with wheels directed into the bin, away from you, i.e. the same way you put the Brompton onto the conveyor belt. Otherwise, it looked that it might be good to equip the Brompton with some luggage handle attached to the frame and sticking out from the inside of the cover. One more observation is that the black color of the Brompton's frame might be optimal for the operation, as minimizing the attention, when the cover needs to be open from top, in order to grab the frame or to attach the Brompton bag.
I am sorry about the AU situation. In my experience, the check-in and gate agents are much more flexible when flying out of the US than when flying in, so I would be hesitant trying out the carry-on option within an international travel. The travel with a NWT in a hardshell suitcase is now for us routine and I've also done international with a Dahon in a soft bag.
08-19-11 | 01:21 AM
#63
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Obviously atman is not following this thread at the moment, but I'll throw in the question anyway, to be dealt with later and/or in case someone else has an experience: What about getting the lock through as a carry-on? I'd like to carry both a U-lock and a cable lock with the bike. Could these put the whole undertaking into risk? My personal experience is coming up in less than 2 weeks. I had already a simple Topeak tool with hex bits taken away from me, but that was outside of the US.
I never carry a lock with my foldie; I tend to treat it like my laptop in terms of security, which is to say, it's either on me or left somewhere secure. I have no idea if a U lock would be ok to fly with, honestly.
08-19-11 | 01:25 AM
#64
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atman, sorry for getting back to this, but I am looking ahead to taking the carry-on plunge. Measuring the outline of my Brompton, I am getting the same width of 23 inches whether I turn the saddle by 90 deg, and consider the Brompton moving forward with its wheels down the conveyor belt, or whether I consider the Brompton moving forward with the saddle or with the joints, i.e. 90 deg turned orientation to the first. After the saddle is turned, the bike outline becomes square-like, 23" x 23". However, if I were to put the bike forward with the joints, I would actually not need to turn the saddle away from its natural orientation, keeping the outline at something like 24" x 23". Is there any particular reason you used the wheels forward, or have you just not tried the other, 90 deg turned, orientation?
08-19-11 | 01:33 AM
#65
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All right, next trip with an M6R completed. Summing up the experience so far, the security appears to be no problem, to be contrasted with gate agents. Again, optimal for plane entry has been the moment of stampede onto the gate. On the first leg, the agent grabbed the side of the Brompton hidden under the cover. We switched to a tale that it was a foldable walker. After all, you can walk with it . Seemed to work a tad better than a stroller claim. (A handicap sticker could help and the Brompton logo right at the center of the bag is of no help.) We further found that we could fit the Brompton into an overhead bin of a Boeing 757. The fit was tight and worked with wheels directed into the bin, away from you, i.e. the same way you put the Brompton onto the conveyor belt.
. Seemed to work a tad better than a stroller claim. (A handicap sticker could help and the Brompton logo right at the center of the bag is of no help.) We further found that we could fit the Brompton into an overhead bin of a Boeing 757. The fit was tight and worked with wheels directed into the bin, away from you, i.e. the same way you put the Brompton onto the conveyor belt. If asked what that 'thing' is, I tell the agents that it's special sports equipment. This is true, which is nice (no one likes being fooled), and it's a category that they know is OK to gate check (no one likes explaining to their boss why they made an exception to the rules).
08-19-11 | 10:09 AM
#66
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Brompton yahoo forum shows a picture from someone ..
they made a brace to go between the 2 ears that the wheels bolt thru,
on the back of the rack,
so the rack won't bend there.. given it's a cast part..
that seems an especially good idea.
Like the block you put in the fork, when the bike will be shipped
with the wheel out , for similar purpose.
they made a brace to go between the 2 ears that the wheels bolt thru,
on the back of the rack,
so the rack won't bend there.. given it's a cast part..
that seems an especially good idea.
Like the block you put in the fork, when the bike will be shipped
with the wheel out , for similar purpose.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-19-11 at 10:13 AM.
08-19-11 | 11:24 AM
#67
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From: London
Bikes: 2011 Jetstream P11 Alfine; 3sp Presto-Lite; Occasional Access to 6sp Brompton
Not sure I understand exactly what you're saying in your post, but speaking from the experience of flying in europe weekly over the last three /four years, neither passengers, air crew, ground crew, or airline staff like last minute surprises. Try rushing the gate with a folder over here and you will be bounced off the flight, or if there is time, sent back to check in to do what you should have done in the first place. Even if you got it on the plane the crew may remove it from the cabin and have it slung in the hold. All too much of a risk if you ask me.
08-19-11 | 01:53 PM
#68
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
I've never had problems, so far, when it comes time to gate check. Do you walk up in advance and say "I'd like a gate check tag for this, please?" or do you try and deal with it during actual boarding? Gate agents appreciate it when anything unusual is dealt with in advance.
If asked what that 'thing' is, I tell the agents that it's special sports equipment. This is true, which is nice (no one likes being fooled), and it's a category that they know is OK to gate check (no one likes explaining to their boss why they made an exception to the rules).
08-19-11 | 02:54 PM
#69
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As it happens, I have flown Delta out of Detroit Metro, however, it was a connecting flight and a small regional airplane. That said, there were no difficulties. It's pretty clear that there aren't actual rules that are folding-bike specific for most airlines; so far, I have had agents question whether the bike would be OK but they've always let me on in the end.
08-19-11 | 05:08 PM
#70
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
When we brought our Brompton to the boarding gate for our first flight, without concealing that it was a bike, the agent was upset that we did not bring the bike to the check-in gate and did not pay the bike fee. In the end, he let us onto the flight though without further action. That is the only piece of own experience I have on that.
Needless to say that the bike fee (of $150 according to the Delta site rather than $200 which the agent claimed) would have been a major hit. The Delta site further talks about the bike as a checked item. The bike's rectangular dimensions of 23x23x12" (I hope I don't make a mistake in the latter) exceed the nominal Delta limits on a carry-on. I am saying nominal, because 23x14x9 appears violated by a big portion of carry-ons that get on board. I am not sure one could put down a blanket statement on what an agent were likely to do. In our two further experiences, the agents were satisfied when the items appeared to belong to a class accepted as carry-on without constraints other than getting through security.
As to flying from Europe, I've been roughened enough many times even when having all the regulations on my side, so no I am not likely to seek extra opportunities.
Needless to say that the bike fee (of $150 according to the Delta site rather than $200 which the agent claimed) would have been a major hit. The Delta site further talks about the bike as a checked item. The bike's rectangular dimensions of 23x23x12" (I hope I don't make a mistake in the latter) exceed the nominal Delta limits on a carry-on. I am saying nominal, because 23x14x9 appears violated by a big portion of carry-ons that get on board. I am not sure one could put down a blanket statement on what an agent were likely to do. In our two further experiences, the agents were satisfied when the items appeared to belong to a class accepted as carry-on without constraints other than getting through security.
As to flying from Europe, I've been roughened enough many times even when having all the regulations on my side, so no I am not likely to seek extra opportunities.
08-19-11 | 11:25 PM
#71
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From: London
Bikes: 2011 Jetstream P11 Alfine; 3sp Presto-Lite; Occasional Access to 6sp Brompton
08-22-11 | 06:45 AM
#72
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KHS folder + AA (American Airlines) = FAIL
When we brought our Brompton to the boarding gate for our first flight, without concealing that it was a bike, the agent was upset that we did not bring the bike to the check-in gate and did not pay the bike fee. In the end, he let us onto the flight though without further action. That is the only piece of own experience I have on that.
Needless to say that the bike fee (of $150 according to the Delta site rather than $200 which the agent claimed) would have been a major hit. The Delta site further talks about the bike as a checked item. The bike's rectangular dimensions of 23x23x12" (I hope I don't make a mistake in the latter) exceed the nominal Delta limits on a carry-on. I am saying nominal, because 23x14x9 appears violated by a big portion of carry-ons that get on board. I am not sure one could put down a blanket statement on what an agent were likely to do. In our two further experiences, the agents were satisfied when the items appeared to belong to a class accepted as carry-on without constraints other than getting through security.
As to flying from Europe, I've been roughened enough many times even when having all the regulations on my side, so no I am not likely to seek extra opportunities.
Needless to say that the bike fee (of $150 according to the Delta site rather than $200 which the agent claimed) would have been a major hit. The Delta site further talks about the bike as a checked item. The bike's rectangular dimensions of 23x23x12" (I hope I don't make a mistake in the latter) exceed the nominal Delta limits on a carry-on. I am saying nominal, because 23x14x9 appears violated by a big portion of carry-ons that get on board. I am not sure one could put down a blanket statement on what an agent were likely to do. In our two further experiences, the agents were satisfied when the items appeared to belong to a class accepted as carry-on without constraints other than getting through security.
As to flying from Europe, I've been roughened enough many times even when having all the regulations on my side, so no I am not likely to seek extra opportunities.
I had to scramble to find boxes at the luggage store, buy tape, & box it up. It was oversize even for check-in (> 62" L+w+H). At check-in, I honestly answered it was a folding bike. They tried to invoke $150 charge!! It went back & forth, finally they cut me a break & only charged me $25 check-in fee (whew!!). I'm now flying back to LAX (AA regional carrier -> AA), with bike packed in smaller box (62" l+w+h).
Experiment failed. I ended up buying a cheap used dept store "mountain bike" for $10, for transportation at my destination. WIll be using this, as opposed to future attempts at using folder+travel.
08-22-11 | 11:03 PM
#73
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
I decided to do an experiment with a recently acquired KHS folder ("Hollywood"). 32" x 23" x 15".
I couldn't get past the "guards" (working for AA) at the escalator, to get to x-ray machines. NO WAY.
I had to scramble to find boxes at the luggage store, buy tape, & box it up.
Experiment failed. I ended up buying a cheap used dept store "mountain bike" for $10, for transportation at my destination. WIll be using this, as opposed to future attempts at using folder+travel.
I couldn't get past the "guards" (working for AA) at the escalator, to get to x-ray machines. NO WAY.
I had to scramble to find boxes at the luggage store, buy tape, & box it up.
Experiment failed. I ended up buying a cheap used dept store "mountain bike" for $10, for transportation at my destination. WIll be using this, as opposed to future attempts at using folder+travel.
05-12-12 | 05:00 PM
#74
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From: San Francisco, California
Bikes: Brompton H6, Schwinn Mirada, Cruzbike Sofrider. Used to own: ICE B1, 2 F-frame Moultons, Koga Myata Elevation 5000 mtb, Challenge Hurricane, Riese & Mueller Birdy Silver, Actionbent Tidalwave 3
Has anyone flown with a Brompton H-type yet? Will it fit through the x-ray machines?
If nobody has tried this yet, can those of you who have flown with regular Bromptons chime in with how much clearance there is when it goes through the x-ray machine?
My H-type just arrived, and it seems to be about 1" longer and taller than my wife's M-type. About 24"x24"x11", compared to 23"x23"x11".
We're flying off to Japan in about 1.5 weeks, and the plan is to gate check out bikes. I'm looking forward to the trip, but a little anxious about the flights!
If nobody has tried this yet, can those of you who have flown with regular Bromptons chime in with how much clearance there is when it goes through the x-ray machine?
My H-type just arrived, and it seems to be about 1" longer and taller than my wife's M-type. About 24"x24"x11", compared to 23"x23"x11".
We're flying off to Japan in about 1.5 weeks, and the plan is to gate check out bikes. I'm looking forward to the trip, but a little anxious about the flights!
05-12-12 | 07:06 PM
#75
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From: Iowa, USA
Bikes: Surly LHT (weekend ride & touring), GT Outpost (commuting), Brompton M6R (Weekend tours that involve flying), Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo (family weekend ride & touring)
That reminds me of my first greyhound bus ride. I didn't know how they act with folding bike. So I covered the folded Brompton but left the zipper a little open to carry it on the saddle. In the ticket like a guy couple spots behind me loudly asked me "WHAT BIKE IS THIS?". I answered as quiet and discretely "a folding bike" just to get another "WHAT BIKE?". I answered "a brompton". At that time the cat was out of the bag but luckily the counter person never questioned me about it.
Last edited by cbike; 05-14-12 at 08:53 AM.