Airplane travel with bicycles - Page 2 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

01-11-2005, 06:28 PM

Greg Anderson wrote:

> Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the
> US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm
> getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike
> store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what
> to take off, and how to pad the bikes.
>
> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

Don't imagine that "FRAGILE!" or "THIS END UP!" will mean anything to
baggage handlers. We got to watch as our fragile, this end (i.e.
toptube) up bikes were stacked on their sides on the roof of a luggage
truck, then pushed nonchalantly down to the ground. Quite a test of a
packing job.

We've flown overseas only twice. The boxed bikes were treated as I just
described. The other time (long ago) British Airways didn't require
boxing. Our bikes traveled assembled, except for turned handlebars and
removed pedals. They were treated wonderfully.

I'd say, if that option is available, take it.

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

01-11-2005, 06:28 PM

Greg Anderson wrote:

> Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the
> US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm
> getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike
> store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what
> to take off, and how to pad the bikes.
>
> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

Don't imagine that "FRAGILE!" or "THIS END UP!" will mean anything to
baggage handlers. We got to watch as our fragile, this end (i.e.
toptube) up bikes were stacked on their sides on the roof of a luggage
truck, then pushed nonchalantly down to the ground. Quite a test of a
packing job.

We've flown overseas only twice. The boxed bikes were treated as I just
described. The other time (long ago) British Airways didn't require
boxing. Our bikes traveled assembled, except for turned handlebars and
removed pedals. They were treated wonderfully.

I'd say, if that option is available, take it.

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

01-11-2005, 06:28 PM

Greg Anderson wrote:

> Greetings. My wife and I are going to be traveling overseas (from the
> US to Bonaire), and our bikes are going with us on this trip. I'm
> getting a couple of bike boxes from a cousin who works at a sport/bike
> store, and I've gotten advice from family and a few web pages about what
> to take off, and how to pad the bikes.
>
> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

Don't imagine that "FRAGILE!" or "THIS END UP!" will mean anything to
baggage handlers. We got to watch as our fragile, this end (i.e.
toptube) up bikes were stacked on their sides on the roof of a luggage
truck, then pushed nonchalantly down to the ground. Quite a test of a
packing job.

We've flown overseas only twice. The boxed bikes were treated as I just
described. The other time (long ago) British Airways didn't require
boxing. Our bikes traveled assembled, except for turned handlebars and
removed pedals. They were treated wonderfully.

I'd say, if that option is available, take it.

--
--------------------+
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com,
replace with cc.ysu dot edu]

01-11-2005, 06:45 PM

> I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
> experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
> powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
> security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
> powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
> that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
> ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
> it was sports drink.

Best to bring a sealed can of Cytomax (or whatever) and you're less likely
to have trouble. But here's the weird thing. One year, I brought my Cytomax
in 10 or 12 baggies, each one with enough for one bottle. Little baggies
with white powder. What in the world was I thinking??? Didn't even raise an
eyebrow with security. Weird.

If you haven't been to CDG before, both your buddy and I can attest to the
fact that it's a very strange place. Arrival isn't too much of an issue, but
departure? That's the only airport that I make it a point to be there 2-3
hours before my flight out. The weird maze of tubes (where you go down to go
up), the convoluted lines that snake all over the place; it's as if it were
intentionally designed to be an inefficient as possible. I actually look
forward to it now, having been through there 6 or 7 times and knowing the
ropes. Gives me a chance to help others who can't figure out what's going
on. I have yet to take the RER there yet (difficult with a bike).

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

01-11-2005, 06:45 PM

> I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
> experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
> powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
> security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
> powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
> that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
> ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
> it was sports drink.

Best to bring a sealed can of Cytomax (or whatever) and you're less likely
to have trouble. But here's the weird thing. One year, I brought my Cytomax
in 10 or 12 baggies, each one with enough for one bottle. Little baggies
with white powder. What in the world was I thinking??? Didn't even raise an
eyebrow with security. Weird.

If you haven't been to CDG before, both your buddy and I can attest to the
fact that it's a very strange place. Arrival isn't too much of an issue, but
departure? That's the only airport that I make it a point to be there 2-3
hours before my flight out. The weird maze of tubes (where you go down to go
up), the convoluted lines that snake all over the place; it's as if it were
intentionally designed to be an inefficient as possible. I actually look
forward to it now, having been through there 6 or 7 times and knowing the
ropes. Gives me a chance to help others who can't figure out what's going
on. I have yet to take the RER there yet (difficult with a bike).

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

01-11-2005, 06:45 PM

> I won't comment on the bike packing practice you recommend because my
> experiences are different but I had a buddy who brought his own drink
> powder in a large water bottle taped in his cage. Needless to say CDG
> security picked his bike to unpack and took a fit when they saw the
> powder in the bottle. Neither his offer to taste it nor all claims
> that it was what it was avoided a 40 minute farce, and he finally
> ended up tossing it down the toilet even though security really knew
> it was sports drink.

Best to bring a sealed can of Cytomax (or whatever) and you're less likely
to have trouble. But here's the weird thing. One year, I brought my Cytomax
in 10 or 12 baggies, each one with enough for one bottle. Little baggies
with white powder. What in the world was I thinking??? Didn't even raise an
eyebrow with security. Weird.

If you haven't been to CDG before, both your buddy and I can attest to the
fact that it's a very strange place. Arrival isn't too much of an issue, but
departure? That's the only airport that I make it a point to be there 2-3
hours before my flight out. The weird maze of tubes (where you go down to go
up), the convoluted lines that snake all over the place; it's as if it were
intentionally designed to be an inefficient as possible. I actually look
forward to it now, having been through there 6 or 7 times and knowing the
ropes. Gives me a chance to help others who can't figure out what's going
on. I have yet to take the RER there yet (difficult with a bike).

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

01-11-2005, 10:20 PM

Greg Anderson wrote:

<snip>

> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

You may want to remove your rear derailleur, wrap it in a piece of
newspaper, and use some tape to tie it to your frame. In my experience,
this is the only part of the bicycle that protrudes enough to be damaged.

I will usually pack my clothes in plastic bags, and use them as padding
in various places in the box. Empty water bottles also are useful (both
bicycle water bottles, and just empty thin plastic water bottles.

When you tape the box, go all the way around the box with the tape,
don't just use small strips to tape the box shut.

If you put stuff into the box, make sure that nothing can get loose and
come out the hand-holds in the box.

If you are removing the wheels for the bike to fit into tbe box, be
especially careful to pack your QR skewers (often it is better not to
have the skewers in the hub as they tend to poke through the side of the
box). Antecdote time---I was on a trip to Russia, and one guy had had
his tandem "professionally boxed" by a bike shop. Only they hadn't
included the QR skewers. There is no place in Russia to buy QR skewers.
By the grace of g-d, before leaving on this trip, I threw a bunch of
miscellaneous used parts into a duffle bag, and had included two
skewers. They were way too long, but he found some rusty thick nuts on a
chain link fence behind the hotel, and removed them to use as spacers,
and went 800km like this. This is what is referred to as fixing your
bike with roadside trash.

If the wheels are removed, then you'll want to put blocks of wood
between the dropouts.

01-11-2005, 10:20 PM

Greg Anderson wrote:

<snip>

> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

You may want to remove your rear derailleur, wrap it in a piece of
newspaper, and use some tape to tie it to your frame. In my experience,
this is the only part of the bicycle that protrudes enough to be damaged.

I will usually pack my clothes in plastic bags, and use them as padding
in various places in the box. Empty water bottles also are useful (both
bicycle water bottles, and just empty thin plastic water bottles.

When you tape the box, go all the way around the box with the tape,
don't just use small strips to tape the box shut.

If you put stuff into the box, make sure that nothing can get loose and
come out the hand-holds in the box.

If you are removing the wheels for the bike to fit into tbe box, be
especially careful to pack your QR skewers (often it is better not to
have the skewers in the hub as they tend to poke through the side of the
box). Antecdote time---I was on a trip to Russia, and one guy had had
his tandem "professionally boxed" by a bike shop. Only they hadn't
included the QR skewers. There is no place in Russia to buy QR skewers.
By the grace of g-d, before leaving on this trip, I threw a bunch of
miscellaneous used parts into a duffle bag, and had included two
skewers. They were way too long, but he found some rusty thick nuts on a
chain link fence behind the hotel, and removed them to use as spacers,
and went 800km like this. This is what is referred to as fixing your
bike with roadside trash.

If the wheels are removed, then you'll want to put blocks of wood
between the dropouts.

01-11-2005, 10:20 PM

Greg Anderson wrote:

<snip>

> I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experiences to share
> of things that might not be obvious that help ensure that a bike gets to
> its destination in one piece. Stuff like, um, "don't pack your tools
> with the bike," or "definitely pack your tools with the bike."

> Basically, I think I've got the "book smarts" to pack things up well,
> but if anyone's had any gotcha's from a previous experience, I'd be
> interested in being enlightened.

You may want to remove your rear derailleur, wrap it in a piece of
newspaper, and use some tape to tie it to your frame. In my experience,
this is the only part of the bicycle that protrudes enough to be damaged.

I will usually pack my clothes in plastic bags, and use them as padding
in various places in the box. Empty water bottles also are useful (both
bicycle water bottles, and just empty thin plastic water bottles.

When you tape the box, go all the way around the box with the tape,
don't just use small strips to tape the box shut.

If you put stuff into the box, make sure that nothing can get loose and
come out the hand-holds in the box.

If you are removing the wheels for the bike to fit into tbe box, be
especially careful to pack your QR skewers (often it is better not to
have the skewers in the hub as they tend to poke through the side of the
box). Antecdote time---I was on a trip to Russia, and one guy had had
his tandem "professionally boxed" by a bike shop. Only they hadn't
included the QR skewers. There is no place in Russia to buy QR skewers.
By the grace of g-d, before leaving on this trip, I threw a bunch of
miscellaneous used parts into a duffle bag, and had included two
skewers. They were way too long, but he found some rusty thick nuts on a
chain link fence behind the hotel, and removed them to use as spacers,
and went 800km like this. This is what is referred to as fixing your
bike with roadside trash.

If the wheels are removed, then you'll want to put blocks of wood
between the dropouts.

01-11-2005, 11:24 PM

> Don't imagine that "FRAGILE!" or "THIS END UP!" will mean anything to
> baggage handlers. We got to watch as our fragile, this end (i.e. toptube)
> up bikes were stacked on their sides on the roof of a luggage truck, then
> pushed nonchalantly down to the ground. Quite a test of a packing job.

My favorite place to watch baggage handling is Minneapolis. Amazing the way
stuff gets thrown off the planes, or falls 10' (or more) off conveyer belts,
or falls off the luggage trams. All right in plain view of the terminal
windows. Totally bizarre. Almost as bizarre as noticing the ground crew
there speaks Fargo-style Minnesotan, big-time. Not the people inside the
terminal, just the ground crew people.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]