The following is most of a recent discussion from the dccouriers messenger list re: bikes on airlines

Mo: 05/07/05

almost all airlines except bikes free of charge... i guess only us airlines charge for bicycles... i can only give props to air france and sas, they really take care of your bike... forget about continental airlines (texas!??!!) they charge $80 each way... !

Joel Metz: 05/07/05

for whatever its worth, the last time i flew continental internationally, they told me they wouldve flown my bike free of charge (i had it in its usual suitcase, so i wasnt getting charged anyhow).

in my experience, what the airline says is its policy, and what they tell you over the phone, are malleable - its what the person at the counter says thats the bottom line - and even then, you can sometimes get around it if you complain loudly enough.

its hugely variable...

Lambchop: 05/08/04

Hey the japanese make these rad bike bags, I'll go into town and find who makes them, anyway, i flew from Oki to NY and then domestic to Bflo NOBODY CHARGED ME A DIME! bike bags rule!

Movingtarget: 05/08/05 - reply to Lambchop, above

Erik Zo tells me they are called 'Ostrich' and the one to get is the one with an internal clamp that keeps your rear derailleur from hitting the outside of the bag.

chenwengseng@gmail.com: 05/08/05

> in my experience, what the airline says is its policy, and what they
> tell you over the phone, are malleable - its what the person at the
> counter says thats the bottom line - and even then, you can sometimes
> get around it if you complain loudly enough.

Other times, if you complain loudly enough, the ticket agent makes you pay _and_ forges your name on the liability release form (isn't that why there's a charge for "special handling"?) as happened to me coming out of Vancouver a few years back. As with most people in power positions, ticket agents often become decreasingly likely to back down the louder you complain, especially if people are watching.

On the other hand, sometimes you get a sympathetic agent who will let your bike on for free if you plead poverty, don't tell them it's a bike (if they're asking whether or not it is, it probably means they don't know or are giving you an opportunity to say no), or just outright lie. I had two bikes in a cruiser box and told the guy it was camping equipment that I couldn't break down- who would ever carry anything that big while camping is beyond me, but I didn't get charged.

Alain: 05/09/05

So what about putting the frame and fork and cranks in a hockey bag and the wheels in a wheel box , it seems like that would cut down the obvious size problem . I checked with fedx and it would be 35 each way from dallas to seattle with a 4 to 5 day delivery.