HUGE ISSUE! Airlines reduce Economy Baggage to 44lbs TOTAL
10-03-06, 04:40 PM
#26
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So much of a cyclist's experiences with airlines depends on the individual airline agent who does the check-in procedure. I don't know how long Thai Airways has had the 20 kg rule, but less than 3 years ago, I flew Thai Airways round-trip on a domestic flight between Bangkok & Chiang Mai with a Bike Friday in its suitcase and a duffle bag containing rear panniers, a helmet, and a handlebar bag. Since my BF suitcase weighs a bit, I suspect my total I was over 20 kg. I had no extra charges and no problems checking in either time. Thai was a very nice airline to deal with on the ground and in the air. You may very well not be charged anything, especially if you're not much above the supposed limit. It's not worth the paperwork for them.
I will also echo the comments above about Bike Fridays being rugged. I've toured on mine on some pretty awful third world "paved" roads, decent unpaved trails, and serious mountain passes. No problems. I would tour on it just about anywhere.
I will also echo the comments above about Bike Fridays being rugged. I've toured on mine on some pretty awful third world "paved" roads, decent unpaved trails, and serious mountain passes. No problems. I would tour on it just about anywhere.
10-03-06, 05:23 PM
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First of all I should apologize for a Chicken Little like thread headline, but actually it was/is a huge issue for me. I only needed some like minded folk who could offer a bit of advice or experiences, like many of you have, thanks! The admonishings for being ill prepared are partly due as well, though some should have their morning coffee before posting maybe.
As for the weight of my bike, why would I lie? Its not ultra heavy, but it is a mountain bike. In the box I put my empty camelbak, helmet, bike shoes, and a thin coil lock. It was 22kgs. The rest of my gear Ive shifted into carryon a bit, but as for the extra charges, a small price to pay for a great experience.
I should add, Im far from an investment banker (theyre more prepared). I quit my job to do this trip. I put in time researching companies, areas, reading message boards about travelling, arranged visas for 4 countries, flights in and around them... what I did make a huge mistake on was reading once that Korean Air would allow 32kg. I should have followed up closer on it, and shouldnt have taken 'bike friendly' as a guarantee. Either way, I'll see how it goes. I'll smile and see what happens (by 'fighting' I meant as much, throwing a hissy fit rarely gets you what you want).
Take it easy everyone.
As for the weight of my bike, why would I lie? Its not ultra heavy, but it is a mountain bike. In the box I put my empty camelbak, helmet, bike shoes, and a thin coil lock. It was 22kgs. The rest of my gear Ive shifted into carryon a bit, but as for the extra charges, a small price to pay for a great experience.
I should add, Im far from an investment banker (theyre more prepared). I quit my job to do this trip. I put in time researching companies, areas, reading message boards about travelling, arranged visas for 4 countries, flights in and around them... what I did make a huge mistake on was reading once that Korean Air would allow 32kg. I should have followed up closer on it, and shouldnt have taken 'bike friendly' as a guarantee. Either way, I'll see how it goes. I'll smile and see what happens (by 'fighting' I meant as much, throwing a hissy fit rarely gets you what you want).
Take it easy everyone.
10-03-06, 05:57 PM
#28
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In case you are still online...this is not what you need at the last minute!!!!
I just got back from a trip...I took my two rear panniers on-board with me, because it was an essential for the trip, as well as other essentials: my helmet, and minimal riding clothes for the trip, and for the plane ride I wore off-bike clothes that I would need. I packed everything into one pannier, used a shoulder strap to connect the two panniers and carry them as "one". This way, I was able to use my handlebar bag as my "personal bag", which held my camera, some healthy snacks for the trip, etc., yet still have the one-carry-on + one-personal-bag rule met. My helmet was attached to the outside of the pannier, not inside, so that I could put more into the one pannier, and everyone was cool with it. Rightfully so; you should have seen the volume/weight of other people's carry-ons!!
And, be polite, say "good morning" or "good day" and smile when you check-in. Only our culture seems to accept addressing strangers w/o first saying "good day" or some other greeting.
The extras went into a check-in bag, which included the tools and shampoos (and other liquids not allowed on-board). The bike was all by itself. I was probably the lightest traveler on the plane!!!!
Good luck, and, happy trails!!!!
I just got back from a trip...I took my two rear panniers on-board with me, because it was an essential for the trip, as well as other essentials: my helmet, and minimal riding clothes for the trip, and for the plane ride I wore off-bike clothes that I would need. I packed everything into one pannier, used a shoulder strap to connect the two panniers and carry them as "one". This way, I was able to use my handlebar bag as my "personal bag", which held my camera, some healthy snacks for the trip, etc., yet still have the one-carry-on + one-personal-bag rule met. My helmet was attached to the outside of the pannier, not inside, so that I could put more into the one pannier, and everyone was cool with it. Rightfully so; you should have seen the volume/weight of other people's carry-ons!!
And, be polite, say "good morning" or "good day" and smile when you check-in. Only our culture seems to accept addressing strangers w/o first saying "good day" or some other greeting.
The extras went into a check-in bag, which included the tools and shampoos (and other liquids not allowed on-board). The bike was all by itself. I was probably the lightest traveler on the plane!!!!
Good luck, and, happy trails!!!!
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10-03-06, 06:18 PM
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Thanks Flower..
Im not sure of the 'liquids' on board rule yet in Japan (i DID search!). Let ya know how things go... I dont have panniers by the way, just a bike box (220cm dimensions) and a big duffel bag with handlebar bag/downjacket, goretex..
Im not sure of the 'liquids' on board rule yet in Japan (i DID search!). Let ya know how things go... I dont have panniers by the way, just a bike box (220cm dimensions) and a big duffel bag with handlebar bag/downjacket, goretex..
10-03-06, 06:30 PM
#30
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I see very very few Bike Fridays anywhere on long tours, although I know they do long tours quite successfully on paved roads and "a few" unpaved ones. I have no doubt their owners love them to bits, having spent all that money on custom fit. I probably would, too. Perhaps you can point me to some journals from people who have ridden the Himalayas with them.
But I also see a LOT of 700C touring bikes and I see a LOT of mountain bikes, whose owners also love them and see no reason why they should exchange them for the sake folding convenience on two airline flights. They are bikes that are (should be) ready to go off the bike shop floor, and can survive a LOT of paved roads. And for the MTB/trekking style, spare tubes and tyres are less of an issue than for BFs in such remote regions.
Look carefully at the OP, and you will see he stated that Korean Airlines changed its policy on 1 October, as a surprise to our Japanese friend. He followed that up by saying his prior research indicated "bike friendly" and a weight limit of 32kg. It didn't matter what research was done beforehand, or when he bought his ticket; that change came suddenly and obviously without notice. Airlines are renowned for doing this sort of thing.
And for some people, the desire to tour means they put as much resource into travel as they can, and often they are very marginal in the ready cash they may have to fork over for unexpected contingencies such as excess luggage.
Good luck to you, HokkaidoRider.
But I also see a LOT of 700C touring bikes and I see a LOT of mountain bikes, whose owners also love them and see no reason why they should exchange them for the sake folding convenience on two airline flights. They are bikes that are (should be) ready to go off the bike shop floor, and can survive a LOT of paved roads. And for the MTB/trekking style, spare tubes and tyres are less of an issue than for BFs in such remote regions.
Look carefully at the OP, and you will see he stated that Korean Airlines changed its policy on 1 October, as a surprise to our Japanese friend. He followed that up by saying his prior research indicated "bike friendly" and a weight limit of 32kg. It didn't matter what research was done beforehand, or when he bought his ticket; that change came suddenly and obviously without notice. Airlines are renowned for doing this sort of thing.
And for some people, the desire to tour means they put as much resource into travel as they can, and often they are very marginal in the ready cash they may have to fork over for unexpected contingencies such as excess luggage.
Good luck to you, HokkaidoRider.
10-03-06, 09:21 PM
#31
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally Posted by thomson
If the weight limit is for safety or fuel usage reasons, perhaps they should charge by the kilogram for passenger+baggage. Currently a 140 kg passenger with 20 kg of baggage pays less than a 70 kg passenger with 30 kg baggage. Or is this not politically correct?
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10-04-06, 12:17 AM
#32
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If you are really big you can't fit into the cattle class seats and have to pay for business class 
10-04-06, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by znomit
If you are really big you can't fit into the cattle class seats and have to pay for business class
hasn't happened to me [i tend to take up all my seat anyway], but know a few others that it has happened to ...
10-04-06, 03:36 AM
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Hey from Korea, killing time on a transfer. To the guy who told me "so itll cost you 50-100 bucks, big deal, youll live", I know you said it partly in jest, but what I would do to be only paying that.
I was ultra friendly, all smiles, at the check in counter they told me it is 3200yen per kg OVER the 20kg. yesterday when I phoned it was only 1200yen. 3200yen is say $30us, PER kg!?!?! Anyways, she types into her calculator and says its going to cost about 60,000yen (600us$). I kindly pointed out about Koreans policy change, as well as the fact that I bought the ticket when it was 32kg for both. By the way, Im not Japanese, but I can speak enough of it to get by, and that may have saved me on this occasion. She said that she'd accept it as 32kg being the limit, and since my total bike/bags was at 38kg, I can just pay for the 6kg overweight. It still cost me about $200, but a far cry from 600. Ill look into shipping it back if its cheaper, because thats just ludicrous.
From bangkok I fly to nepal where there will be another charge of about 150, and next month back to bangkok itll also cost 150.. that I can live with, but if I get stoved with a 600.... ouch.
I was ultra friendly, all smiles, at the check in counter they told me it is 3200yen per kg OVER the 20kg. yesterday when I phoned it was only 1200yen. 3200yen is say $30us, PER kg!?!?! Anyways, she types into her calculator and says its going to cost about 60,000yen (600us$). I kindly pointed out about Koreans policy change, as well as the fact that I bought the ticket when it was 32kg for both. By the way, Im not Japanese, but I can speak enough of it to get by, and that may have saved me on this occasion. She said that she'd accept it as 32kg being the limit, and since my total bike/bags was at 38kg, I can just pay for the 6kg overweight. It still cost me about $200, but a far cry from 600. Ill look into shipping it back if its cheaper, because thats just ludicrous.
From bangkok I fly to nepal where there will be another charge of about 150, and next month back to bangkok itll also cost 150.. that I can live with, but if I get stoved with a 600.... ouch.
10-04-06, 04:09 AM
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Originally Posted by HokkaidoRider
she types into her calculator and says its going to cost about 60,000yen (600us$). I kindly pointed out about Koreans policy change, as well as the fact that I bought the ticket when it was 32kg for both. By the way, Im not Japanese, but I can speak enough of it to get by, and that may have saved me on this occasion. She said that she'd accept it as 32kg being the limit, and since my total bike/bags was at 38kg, I can just pay for the 6kg overweight. It still cost me about $200, but a far cry from 600.
10-05-06, 07:11 AM
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Update 2: Thai Airways didnt blink an eye. It went right on. no charge
As for Bangkoks new airport, if you're in the international transfers part, just go to the 4th floor for food, 3rd floor for some couches and sleep time. This is if youve checked in..
As for Bangkoks new airport, if you're in the international transfers part, just go to the 4th floor for food, 3rd floor for some couches and sleep time. This is if youve checked in..
10-05-06, 10:07 AM
#37
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Originally Posted by HokkaidoRider
Hey from Korea, killing time on a transfer. To the guy who told me "so itll cost you 50-100 bucks, big deal, youll live", I know you said it partly in jest, but what I would do to be only paying that.
I was ultra friendly, all smiles, at the check in counter they told me it is 3200yen per kg OVER the 20kg. yesterday when I phoned it was only 1200yen. 3200yen is say $30us, PER kg!?!?! Anyways, she types into her calculator and says its going to cost about 60,000yen (600us$). I kindly pointed out about Koreans policy change, as well as the fact that I bought the ticket when it was 32kg for both. By the way, Im not Japanese, but I can speak enough of it to get by, and that may have saved me on this occasion. She said that she'd accept it as 32kg being the limit, and since my total bike/bags was at 38kg, I can just pay for the 6kg overweight. It still cost me about $200, but a far cry from 600. Ill look into shipping it back if its cheaper, because thats just ludicrous.
From bangkok I fly to nepal where there will be another charge of about 150, and next month back to bangkok itll also cost 150.. that I can live with, but if I get stoved with a 600.... ouch.
I was ultra friendly, all smiles, at the check in counter they told me it is 3200yen per kg OVER the 20kg. yesterday when I phoned it was only 1200yen. 3200yen is say $30us, PER kg!?!?! Anyways, she types into her calculator and says its going to cost about 60,000yen (600us$). I kindly pointed out about Koreans policy change, as well as the fact that I bought the ticket when it was 32kg for both. By the way, Im not Japanese, but I can speak enough of it to get by, and that may have saved me on this occasion. She said that she'd accept it as 32kg being the limit, and since my total bike/bags was at 38kg, I can just pay for the 6kg overweight. It still cost me about $200, but a far cry from 600. Ill look into shipping it back if its cheaper, because thats just ludicrous.
From bangkok I fly to nepal where there will be another charge of about 150, and next month back to bangkok itll also cost 150.. that I can live with, but if I get stoved with a 600.... ouch.
Good to see you pick up something on the roundabouts with Thai.
10-06-06, 12:36 PM
#38
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Air Canada offers a fixed price for a bicycle. 50$CAN. which is fine with me. VIA RAIL offers boxes for the bikes... 25 $CAN. total 75 dollars...
I am flying Montreal-Chicago-Tokyo-Bangkok on three different airlines ( Air Canada - United - ANA) I will let you know how it went...
I`m going on my first long touring trip... somewhere in Asia... for 5 weeks. I haven`t made a decision yet on my itinary yet... Want to do everything but I can`t... Vietname Laos, Cambodia, thailand... I don`t know !!!!
I am flying Montreal-Chicago-Tokyo-Bangkok on three different airlines ( Air Canada - United - ANA) I will let you know how it went...
I`m going on my first long touring trip... somewhere in Asia... for 5 weeks. I haven`t made a decision yet on my itinary yet... Want to do everything but I can`t... Vietname Laos, Cambodia, thailand... I don`t know !!!!
11-21-06, 06:40 AM
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Jimmy Cactus how did the flights go on the three airlines? Charges?
A final update on my first overseas bike tour..
Korean Airlines $200 surcharge (Demanded $600 at start)
Thai Airways No Charge
China Air $30US
Thai Airways - Again, No Charge (unboxed, handlebars turned, tires down/secured, seat down)
Korean Airlines - $135 surcharge (Demanded $400 at start)
It comes down to alot of things I believe, and alot of it IS luck. I tried the smile and friendly approach the first time, and had it knocked down. I also used the 'well you just changed your policy, and I was under the impression the limit was ...'. As well as someone on here suggested to me, I used "well I had hoped to use your airline alot as I make trips quite often". The last flight ($135), after he wouldnt budge much, I launched into a tirade of how poorly Ive been treated by KOrean Air, and spoke with a manager on the many issues I had, and how I actually only had $15 in my pocket (end of the trip, who ever has money THEN?). THey ended up discounting as well. Still though, from this experience I think Ill buy a bike overseas or rent one (which some of the riders I saw did). I know its not 'my' bike, but it saves flying/hassles/surcharges.
A final update on my first overseas bike tour..
Korean Airlines $200 surcharge (Demanded $600 at start)
Thai Airways No Charge
China Air $30US
Thai Airways - Again, No Charge (unboxed, handlebars turned, tires down/secured, seat down)
Korean Airlines - $135 surcharge (Demanded $400 at start)
It comes down to alot of things I believe, and alot of it IS luck. I tried the smile and friendly approach the first time, and had it knocked down. I also used the 'well you just changed your policy, and I was under the impression the limit was ...'. As well as someone on here suggested to me, I used "well I had hoped to use your airline alot as I make trips quite often". The last flight ($135), after he wouldnt budge much, I launched into a tirade of how poorly Ive been treated by KOrean Air, and spoke with a manager on the many issues I had, and how I actually only had $15 in my pocket (end of the trip, who ever has money THEN?). THey ended up discounting as well. Still though, from this experience I think Ill buy a bike overseas or rent one (which some of the riders I saw did). I know its not 'my' bike, but it saves flying/hassles/surcharges.
11-23-06, 01:10 AM
#40
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It's not the carry-on bags, it's the fat people!
At least that's the case in the U.S... With 65% of the nation obese, the airlines had to reduce the weight limit on the luggage. Hello "Mr & Mrs Can't Stop Eating Snickers", bye-bye shipping bikes for free.
11-23-06, 01:32 AM
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Originally Posted by cyclezealot
I Have mixed feelings about this. Reason, yes- I am offended about surcharges on reasonable amounts of luggage. Bikes, should be included as regular weight, should other items not put you over the allowed limit. One of the reason, I often fly foreign airlines. On non US airlines, it is common to see bicycles counted as routine luggage. Seems foreign nationals value cycling more than Americans?
But, the other side, an engineer friend told me about 5 plane crashes have been caused by passengers stuffing so much stuff within their hand luggage. Google searches did confirm much of this. Is stuffing your bags of stuff worth risking a crash.
Not that I think this is the primary motivation in airlines reducing allowed weight. But, as passengers do we know sneaking excess weight on board might not be in your interests. Unless, you have suicidal tendenacies.
Of course, maybe some of the explanation as to these crashes, the obesity of too many Americans. Maybe passengers need be weighted in. Obese people need pay their fair share.
But, the other side, an engineer friend told me about 5 plane crashes have been caused by passengers stuffing so much stuff within their hand luggage. Google searches did confirm much of this. Is stuffing your bags of stuff worth risking a crash.
Not that I think this is the primary motivation in airlines reducing allowed weight. But, as passengers do we know sneaking excess weight on board might not be in your interests. Unless, you have suicidal tendenacies.
Of course, maybe some of the explanation as to these crashes, the obesity of too many Americans. Maybe passengers need be weighted in. Obese people need pay their fair share.
but yes, these are very low numbers in terms of free weight. looks like courier systems will be getting more work.
11-23-06, 02:31 PM
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Trust me... It's not a couple of pounds per person. I'm talking about 200-300 pound people here! In my recent flights, people did not even fit in the aisle, so they had to walk sideways, which means if you have an aisle seat, you are face to face with a big butt everytime they go to the bathroom.
It's no joke... The cascets, the restaurant chairs, the seatbelts are resized in this country, to accomodate the obese population. Ever-increasing health insurance rates and paying an arm and a leg for shipping our bikes are the prices that you and I have to pay for.
It's no joke... The cascets, the restaurant chairs, the seatbelts are resized in this country, to accomodate the obese population. Ever-increasing health insurance rates and paying an arm and a leg for shipping our bikes are the prices that you and I have to pay for.
11-23-06, 06:24 PM
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For Domestic (USA) travel I have been using FEDEX ground to take my bike, On a recent trip to Atlanta, The airline wanted $80 each way for the bike, I shipped it via fedex 3 days before my flight to a Kinko's near my hotel for $22.
If you open a online Fedex account ( need a credit card) you pay online and print your own shipping labels ( saving another 10% on shipping) Best of all you don't have to stand in line or deal with dumbasses.
If you open a online Fedex account ( need a credit card) you pay online and print your own shipping labels ( saving another 10% on shipping) Best of all you don't have to stand in line or deal with dumbasses.
11-23-06, 10:35 PM
#44
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Originally Posted by hoogie
not always ... sometimes they SQUEEZE into the seat beside you, and then ask if they can [or just do] lift the arm between you and them, and then they take up half your seat as well ...
hasn't happened to me [i tend to take up all my seat anyway], but know a few others that it has happened to ...
hasn't happened to me [i tend to take up all my seat anyway], but know a few others that it has happened to ...
I do not wish to ridicule overweight people, but I think if they are so big that they can't fit into the seat, they should be forced to get two tickets. And the whole idea of limit on passenger weight + bags weight certainly makes a whole lot of sense. But that's non-PC, so it wouldn't fly, figuratively and literally.
11-23-06, 11:44 PM
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If it helps, anyone going between the UK and Canada might consider Zoom as they don't count your bike as part of your luggage allowance, it is a piece of sporting equipment that is carried free of charge. Hurrah 
You could then cycle to a port and take a cheap ferry to the continent, stopping at some pubs en route of course
We also flew BA from Montreal to London with heavily loaded touring bikes (think round the world equipped, steel frames, racks, etc etc) and I know we were over by a few kgs but they didn't charge us at all. Very friendly, bikes were in the boxes from VIA Rail which are gigantic but very sturdy and arrived in perfect shape. They were also too big to be lost, ha ha. The security guys said they were the biggest bike boxes they had ever seen.
You could then cycle to a port and take a cheap ferry to the continent, stopping at some pubs en route of course We also flew BA from Montreal to London with heavily loaded touring bikes (think round the world equipped, steel frames, racks, etc etc) and I know we were over by a few kgs but they didn't charge us at all. Very friendly, bikes were in the boxes from VIA Rail which are gigantic but very sturdy and arrived in perfect shape. They were also too big to be lost, ha ha. The security guys said they were the biggest bike boxes they had ever seen.
11-25-06, 07:09 AM
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We flew China Airways from LAX to Bangkok in October. Our bags were stuffed full and we had two bikes. They did not even blink and did not charge us any extra. Whenever we fly home we will fly with them!
11-25-06, 11:34 AM
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"I do not wish to ridicule overweight people, but I think if they are so big that they can't fit into the seat, they should be forced to get two tickets. And the whole idea of limit on passenger weight + bags weight certainly makes a whole lot of sense. But that's non-PC, so it wouldn't fly, figuratively and literally."
The only problem with that scenario, at least for those who don't travel a lot is that the seats vary by airline and plane style. There isn't one approved of seat where a person can realize before they get seated that they are oversize. Sure chances are if the person is 600 pounds they aren't fitting, but given the range of human shapes there are a lot of people, not just fatsos who don't fit, or seriously underfit, the space they are aloted. What is needed are some reaslly large bench seats, and just ram people in, in accordance with the number that can be nudged into place, giant lap belt and adult diapers all around, and "thank you for flying..."
The only problem with that scenario, at least for those who don't travel a lot is that the seats vary by airline and plane style. There isn't one approved of seat where a person can realize before they get seated that they are oversize. Sure chances are if the person is 600 pounds they aren't fitting, but given the range of human shapes there are a lot of people, not just fatsos who don't fit, or seriously underfit, the space they are aloted. What is needed are some reaslly large bench seats, and just ram people in, in accordance with the number that can be nudged into place, giant lap belt and adult diapers all around, and "thank you for flying..."
11-26-06, 09:11 PM
#48
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China Airways
Just to show noones perfect...I took a short one hour flight (intl) with China Airways, and was charged extra $$$ for excess weight. It was going to be 100, but knocked down to 35 or so. Not alot of money I admit.
11-26-06, 09:54 PM
#49
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Last time I flew, I used https://www.sportsexpress.com/ to ship my bike to the hotel. Not the cheap way to go internationally though!
11-26-06, 10:56 PM
#50
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Originally Posted by Peterpan1
The only problem with that scenario, at least for those who don't travel a lot is that the seats vary by airline and plane style. There isn't one approved of seat where a person can realize before they get seated that they are oversize. Sure chances are if the person is 600 pounds they aren't fitting, but given the range of human shapes there are a lot of people, not just fatsos who don't fit, or seriously underfit, the space they are aloted.
What is needed are some reaslly large bench seats, and just ram people in, in accordance with the number that can be nudged into place, giant lap belt and adult diapers all around, and "thank you for flying..."