Shipping my bike

I am in the middle of a trip using a bike box. Its worked OK so far but it flew on the plane with me, I'm sure I would not use a bike box to ship independently. I spend the extra money and get a hard shell case.

I used a bike box and UPS'd from California to Florida and back with no problems.   Wrap all your tubes with some bubble wrap to avoid  scratches and dings.  I'll probably splurge for a hard case someday but the box worked well for me.  UPS also had some amount of insurance that comes standard.  I didn't buy any extra insurance. 

Have you considered having it shipped by truck without any dis assembly? 

If you ship it UPS and either you OR the bike shop pack it, UPS will not pay for damage. Even if you buy insurance. UPS has to pack it.
I shipped my bike back from my first triathlon. When it got home, the frame was crushed and it was scratched. I had a bike shop pack it, drop it off at a UPS store and ship UPS. I thought that was the safest way...... Nope.
Use a hard case.

I shipped with a bike box last week to 1/2 vineman.

Details:
Shipped Monday from Atlanta at a FedexKinkos Location - $38 (31 lbs). It arrived on Friday in Sonoma, CA in tact.
The box was marginally thrashed. There was a big gouge in one of the sides of the box but the bike was fine. I had bubble wrapped it with 3 rolls.
I had to get another box from an LBS while in Sonoma to repack and ship.
Shipping back from Sonoma to Atlanta was more expensive - ~$80 for some reason.
There was a Delta pilot in front of me in line at that Kinkos and he said they even charge him $100 each way to ship and they only insure to like $1500. Fedex will insure as much as you want.
Assuming my bike gets back in tact today, it worked out great, but I'd sleep better before the race if I had a hard case.

JG

I'm using them for IMFL. I know this won't help you with Moo but I'll let you know for future reference.

I also have a hard case and be careful how you pack. I dented my downtube on my brand new $$$ bike the 1st time I packed it.

As an update, my bike is back from the race, and I put it back together today. Everything is in tact and working fine, so this time, Fedex and a cardboard box worked great!

JG