Flying with a bike???

you just show up at the airport. Most airlines have a special lines for oversized luggage. You just go to that line and check in. They will charge you for it. So be prepared.

You can just book your ticket. No need to notify in advance, but you will most likely be charged when you check in. Anywhere from $75 to $125 each way depending on the airline.

You also need a bike case. If you're not going to be flying often, you might be able to rent one from a bike shop.

scott

Thanks, guys! And Yaqui, I had a German Shorthaired Pointer when I was growing up!! A great dog to run with!
Nancy

Rent a bike case from your local LBS. And when you arrive at the airport, and check in... it will be $50 each way for the bike.

HOWEVER.. if you can find a small enough case, and it comes in under 50# loaded... many airlines will let it on free. Good luck though. I usually just end up throwng a ton of extras in there, and the case weighs like 60-70lbs when I am done Usually a limit at 75#.

I shipped mine across the country via fedex and worked well. Just got an empty carboard bike box from the LBS and packed it away in there with a ton of newspaper. It was considerably cheaper than what I would have paid Delta.

JG

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Thanks for the ideas - I like the fedEx idea! I haven't used FedEx, but when I use UPS and write "Fragile" on the box, they usually kick the box harder than usual!!

I'm going to ask my bike shop if they have a case I can borrow - they are really nice, and probably can lend me one.

thanks!

The fact that airlines charge extra for bikes has always driven me nuts. When you travel on international flights you can take it with you with no special handling charge. So fly your bike around the world for free, but pay to fly it 500 miles? Makes no sense. I think it is controled by an international treaty/convention.

I believe international flights have larger baggage allowances, similar to first class domestic.

Check into whether it would be free with a first class ticket, on delta the first class gets an extra 25lbs, 75 vice 50 for coach.

Depending on the airline, I have gotten away with heavier baggage by tipping the Delta skycap before he put the big one on, nothing major, but I knew it was heavy, and I think he did to, but just put it on the conveyor vice the scale then conveyor.

I had my Kestrel shipped fom Georgia to California, cost a ton, I just had my old man handle it and I sent him a check, so maybe there was something he could have done to make it less, but it was not cheap by any means, though I forget whether it was FedEx or UPS.

Sorry, I thought we were boasting about how fast we can ride!

I also notice that the airlines are quick to try to charge you just assuming it is too big. I have a trico that meets the maximum size requirments and when challenged to measure the case with conviction that it is small enough they usually let the size go (at least for me they have every time). However, the weight is the killer. I go the other route and pack anything else heavy in another bag.

I lent the case to a friend that actually flies for an airline and when he helped "Steady" the bag on the scale for them he did it with a strong lifting finger and made the weight. Pretty funny.