Alaska Airlines bike bags in Spokane?
07-13-18, 08:18 PM
#1
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
Alaska Airlines bike bags in Spokane?
One of the few trips I am tossing around for next year is a loop east of Spokane on the Cour D'Alene and Route of the Hiawatha. Simple but now here is where it gets crazy.
I want to take the train back home. Possibly stopping in Whitefish or Glacier for a bit of riding. The train from Spokane has two problems. First it leaves pretty late at night / very early morning. Secondly it has already gone through the Cascades which is a major part of the trip.
I would like to fly to Seattle from Spokane to get the Empire Builder from there. The issue is what to do with my bike.
One plan is to either check it at the Spokane station to either arrive as baggage or freight in Whitefish with me.
Another plan would be to fly with the bike to Seattle. Has anyone flown with their bike on Alaska Air? Do you need to pack up the bike in a regular bike box or do you have the option to put it into one of those big plastic bags some airlines have. I really hate to pack it up just for that flight but if I can just slide a baf over it, that might be doable.
I want to take the train back home. Possibly stopping in Whitefish or Glacier for a bit of riding. The train from Spokane has two problems. First it leaves pretty late at night / very early morning. Secondly it has already gone through the Cascades which is a major part of the trip.
I would like to fly to Seattle from Spokane to get the Empire Builder from there. The issue is what to do with my bike.
One plan is to either check it at the Spokane station to either arrive as baggage or freight in Whitefish with me.
Another plan would be to fly with the bike to Seattle. Has anyone flown with their bike on Alaska Air? Do you need to pack up the bike in a regular bike box or do you have the option to put it into one of those big plastic bags some airlines have. I really hate to pack it up just for that flight but if I can just slide a baf over it, that might be doable.
07-14-18, 02:45 PM
#2
Full Member
Other option is to go on CL and see if anyone is driving that route. The airline will charge you an arm and a leg (cause, hey, this is the US and offering smthg for free or cheap just would be right), a ride won't charge more. Could also contact the local bike clubs and shops and see if they know.
07-14-18, 03:10 PM
#3
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
Other option is to go on CL and see if anyone is driving that route. The airline will charge you an arm and a leg (cause, hey, this is the US and offering smthg for free or cheap just would be right), a ride won't charge more. Could also contact the local bike clubs and shops and see if they know.
07-14-18, 09:40 PM
#5
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
07-14-18, 09:54 PM
#6
Senior Member
07-15-18, 03:30 AM
#7
Senior Member
Yep. In 2009 a connector from Eugene OR to Portland where I transferred to Delta for a flight on to Newport News VA. Alaska Air had the box at the Eugene ticket counter and their bike fee (then $50 + $10 box?, now reduced to $25 as DTG says) took it all the way to VA despite the higher fee that Delta would have charged had I boarded with them. Transfer policies may vary among the partner airlines.
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a2001...s-25-bike-fee/
When I flew nine years ago Alaska provided the BIG box like Amtrak's. Pedals off, bars turned, tape it shut... you're good to go.
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a2001...s-25-bike-fee/
When I flew nine years ago Alaska provided the BIG box like Amtrak's. Pedals off, bars turned, tape it shut... you're good to go.
