Flying cross-country with your bike
#1
480
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 41
Bikes: Apollo Sport Ten, Scattante SSR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Flying cross-country with your bike
I'll be flying cross-country at the end of this month via Southwest Airlines, and I was thinking of packing my 54 cm fixed gear up and bringing it along. I'll get a bike box and I have a basic idea of how to pack it (remove the front wheel, pedals, stem, handlebars, seatpost and seat), but I was wondering if anyone here at any experience bringing their bike on a plane as checked baggage. Thanks.
Southwest allows for two checked bags at no extra cost as long as they are under 50 lbs (my bike with all the packing materials won't weigh more than 25-28 lbs), so weight is not an issue.
Southwest allows for two checked bags at no extra cost as long as they are under 50 lbs (my bike with all the packing materials won't weigh more than 25-28 lbs), so weight is not an issue.
#2
Your cog is slipping.
I once partially broke down a bmx bike, wrapped certain parts of it in bubble wrap and put it in a huge military duffel bag and had no trouble checking it. It got lost temporarily in Chicago but once it and I were in the same place, everything was fine. A properly-packed box with a lot of packing material surrounding the frame/parts would most likely be a better way to go. Have you ever seen the way they toss stuff around as they're loading the plane?
#3
mediocre member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: nuevo mexico
Posts: 208
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
unless you happen to be really lucky (which doesn't happen much with the airlines), you're gonna get stuck with a $50 oversized charge each way for bringing a bike box.
if you're still set on bringing it, pack it really well and line the two biggest sides with extra layers of cardboard. I've seen cardboard bike boxes show up severely pierced through the side (as if other luggage or boxes went right into the side of the box).
if you're still set on bringing it, pack it really well and line the two biggest sides with extra layers of cardboard. I've seen cardboard bike boxes show up severely pierced through the side (as if other luggage or boxes went right into the side of the box).
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 7,239
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Yes, in addition to the 50 lb limit, there is a size limit of 62" for length + height + width. Won't meet that with a bike that has regular (26 or 27") wheels and a solid one-piece frame. So expect the $50 oversize charge to apply.
When you pack it, place an old hub or some kind of spacer in the fork dropouts to protect against the fork getting bent. Do the same with the rear dropouts if you remove the back wheel.
When you pack it, place an old hub or some kind of spacer in the fork dropouts to protect against the fork getting bent. Do the same with the rear dropouts if you remove the back wheel.
#5
Your cog is slipping.
If it's going to cost that much to fly with it and you're going to pack it in a box anyway, it would be cheaper (and safer) to ship it via UPS to the place you're going and then ship it back home when you return. You can snag a bike box from your LBS and ship a complete bike for under 40 bucks if you pack it yourself.
#6
Ride for Life
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
yeah it's a b!tch and there's not much of a chance of getting past the $50 each way without a folding bike due to the 62" rule.
tips:
-don't forget to pack any tools you will need to reassemble your bike when you get there. i just packaged them in a small box in the bike box
-use something to brace the fork/track ends (as mentioned above)
-reinforce anywhere that can poke out; track ends, fork ends, bb axles (if you take the cranks off) chainrings, etc.
-wrap everything inside. wrap the frame, wrap the fork, wrap all the parts sitting inside. you're bike's gonna get tossed around a bit, and possibly have everyone else's luggage fall/thrown on top of it
this is what i'm going to shoot for when i fly to minneapolis in a few months, it will hopefully get me around the $50. everything not bike related crammed into something that can be a carry-on. 2 boxes. one has the frame, fork removed, cranks removed, headset/stem removed, seat/seatpost removed, all packaged and in the box. the other has the wheels and tools (in their own box). i'm hoping both of those will make it under the size limit *crosses fingers*
tips:
-don't forget to pack any tools you will need to reassemble your bike when you get there. i just packaged them in a small box in the bike box
-use something to brace the fork/track ends (as mentioned above)
-reinforce anywhere that can poke out; track ends, fork ends, bb axles (if you take the cranks off) chainrings, etc.
-wrap everything inside. wrap the frame, wrap the fork, wrap all the parts sitting inside. you're bike's gonna get tossed around a bit, and possibly have everyone else's luggage fall/thrown on top of it
this is what i'm going to shoot for when i fly to minneapolis in a few months, it will hopefully get me around the $50. everything not bike related crammed into something that can be a carry-on. 2 boxes. one has the frame, fork removed, cranks removed, headset/stem removed, seat/seatpost removed, all packaged and in the box. the other has the wheels and tools (in their own box). i'm hoping both of those will make it under the size limit *crosses fingers*
#7
Ride for Life
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
If it's going to cost that much to fly with it and you're going to pack it in a box anyway, it would be cheaper (and safer) to ship it via UPS to the place you're going and then ship it back home when you return. You can snag a bike box from your LBS and ship a complete bike for under 40 bucks if you pack it yourself.
#8
Your cog is slipping.
I just shipped a complete bike...partially broken down and packed in a bike box...to a friend of mine in Minneapolis and it cost $39.00 via UPS.
Last edited by Scrodzilla; 06-08-09 at 08:57 PM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: RI
Posts: 415
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#11
:)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: duluth
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If your bike is worth more than a couple hundred bucks, get a hard case... or bring a beater, you never know with airline baggage handlers.
#12
Senior Member
I fly internationally/locally with my bike all the time, and I always get dinged with an oversize bag fee. If I tell them there is a bicycle in the case, then there is even more of a fee. When they ask what's in the box, I say "camera equipment", and that's good enough. No extra "bicycle" charge. Just make sure you get a carrying bag/case which doesn't have an image of a bicycle imprinted/embossed on it.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Indiana
Posts: 77
Bikes: Schwinn Circut, KHS TEAM
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
x2 on the hard case. There is no way I was gonna let baggage handlers throw around my bike in a cardboard box. It was a Cannondale F3000sl though so it was worth the extra cash to keep it safe
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: RI
Posts: 415
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Size shouldn't matter, as long as it was in a standard cycle box. Ask next time if you're within a few inches of being one class lower in the OS category. A complete bike should ship across most of the US for $40.
#17
Spin Meister
For me to ship my bike on way, from New York to Los Angeles last March, via Fed Ex Ground:
$68
I trust Fed Ex - I don't trust the airlines. Or as I like to say, there are two kinds of luggage, carry-on and lost. I was more than happy to pay the extra $18. The bike was delivered, in perfect condition, to my door.
Shipping by Fed Ex Ground takes about three days to ship a bike that way across country.
$68
I trust Fed Ex - I don't trust the airlines. Or as I like to say, there are two kinds of luggage, carry-on and lost. I was more than happy to pay the extra $18. The bike was delivered, in perfect condition, to my door.
Shipping by Fed Ex Ground takes about three days to ship a bike that way across country.
__________________
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: too many
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
has anyone done bikes on a plane recently? within the last year they've hiked up all the charges substantially (around the same time they started charging for more than 1 checked bag). iirc it's a hundo each way for something the size of a bike box. it's not standard oversize.
#19
BFSSFG old timer
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fredrock
Posts: 1,912
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
has anyone done bikes on a plane recently? within the last year they've hiked up all the charges substantially (around the same time they started charging for more than 1 checked bag). iirc it's a hundo each way for something the size of a bike box. it's not standard oversize.
The other advantage over shipping is you can insure your bike for full value, something you can't do on the plane. That said, with the increase in shipping rates the last few years, if I'm flying with Southwest or Virgin I'll pay $50 and take the bike with me. Saves some hassles over shipping.
I've done both options (taking on the plane and shipping) many times and luckily have not had a problem with either method. I been using a Crateworks XLC box since 2000 and make sure to pack it good.
#21
Your cog is slipping.
#22
480
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 41
Bikes: Apollo Sport Ten, Scattante SSR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the great feedback guys. I still haven't decided whether or not I wanna dish out the cash to do this as I'll only be gone for 10 days or so. It might not be worth it... but, then again, I can barely be away from my bike for more than a few days. Decisions, decisions...