Airlines and Bicycle Travel

I have flown with my bike on three trips so far this year.  Don't pack a bunch of other stuff in your bike case.

If TSA is going to open and inspect the bike (Boston Logan does this) then make sure you are around to watch and make sure they put it together right.  Sometimes they just open and look but one terminal really screwed around and when I got to my destination my front derailleur did not work right, set screws had been played with....so when I went through that terminal again I watched carefully and had a show down with a TSA worker - the supervisor was great and let me pack the bike back up when they were done.

to protect the front derailleur  put your pedal up so it covers it.  Figured that out for the trip home the time they bent it....

Have not travelled southwest but heard they are ok

Have flown JetBlue, Air Canada and USAir.

Next week AirTran.... 

I have traveled with my bike many times.  I also have a hard shell case.  Your bike will be fine in there.  Mine has been to Australia, St. Croix, and several US cities. 

Regarding loss:  The airlines are responsible for a maximum amount PER POUND!!  Do not use that as your insurance.  Just get a rider on your home policy for about $35/yr and it will be covered.

Checking into the airport.  I ALWAYS follow my bike case through TSA.  9/10, if you're standing there and tell them it's a bike, they won't open it.  If they do, watch them do it.  After they close it up, lock it up.  Fairly simple.