I have a dilemma. I'm flying from NC back home to WA next month to ride the Seattle to Portland and I can't decide whether to take my S2 or my Trek 1.2.

I'll be borrowing a case from a friend and checking it, probably with delta. I would prefer to ride the S2, but there's a voice in my head telling me to play it safe and pack up the 1.2 instead.

Thoughts? Any experiences with airlines and bikes would be greatly appreciated!

Back in March I purchased the Thule Bike Case available at nashbar.com. Got a great deal on it since they were having a 21% off sale. I was a little leery of it, but once I recieved it I was pleasently surprised on how durable the plastic was.

This past Memorial Day weekend I packed up my 2003 Trek 5200 in the case and checked it with Southwest Airlines. They charged me $50 -- good deal! Like you I was concerned from the moment I checked it to the moment I recieved it on the other end.

It arrived all in one piece and no signs of damage or even TSA opening the case and inspecting it. I was really concerned about TSA inspecting, because I figured once they opened it they wouldn't know how to put everything back to how I packed it.

Another thing to think about is that you got to realize that these bike case weigh around 50 lbs when packed with a bike and it's kinda hard to throw around a 50 lbs package. I'd have to image that the baggage handlers just drop it on the conveyer belts and then just slide it into place on the plane.

Also, if you can try to book a non-stop flight to limit the times your bike case is being loaded and off loaded.

Last January I flew with my bike from Washington state to Puerto Rico to ride the Vuelta Puerto Rico. There are no direct flights, and because the Northeast was dealing with snow storms, I had to make 2 plane transfers and was freaked out the whole time that my bike would either get damaged or lost. In the end, I made it to my event on time and my bike was totally fine.

I took my full carbon Fuji Team Pro since my only other bike was a total POS. I used this case from Performance
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._1102801_-1___

I chose this particular case because I wanted a hard travel case that would still weigh under 50lbs with my bike and a few accessories inside. Some airlines limit the weight of bike boxes too. I flew Continental and had to pay $100 each way (not unreasonable when you realize some airlines charge up to $250!). It was opened by TSA but closed up again without any problem. Don't lock the case or they will be forced to break it open.

As long as you use a good case and pack it up well, it should be fine. Practice packing and unpacking it a few days before your flight so you can get everything to fit the way you want to without stressing out the day you leave.

neneboricua

Ship it UPS or Fedex Ground instead to a friend's place. It'll likely be cheaper plus far safer if you insure it.

I fly Southwest and bring a bike enough times a year that I consider it "regular". This year, 2x roundtrips so far, probably one more in the fall. Last year, 3x. Year before, 4x.

Southwest charges $50 as noted above. Also, since you already have to check, you can check another bag free. I usually check 2 bags and they let me slide (2 free checked, $50 for the bike bag). Carry on just electronics in that case.

I've video taped various handlers with my soft case bag as they load or unload the plane - they are very careful with it, drop it about as hard as I'd drop it. I've carried two pairs of wheels (carbon faired plus alum), carbon only wheels, carbon/alum/combination frames, loaded it with various stuff (clothing, floor pump, helmets, tools).

I've been using this bike bag for a while, probably 10 years now. It's been very good so far.

Tips on packing (frame spacers, rear der removal apply in general).

https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...soft-case.html

Thanks for all the great replies everyone! Consider my mind eased...