Bikes on United Airlines

drewfromrisca

Has anyone taken their bike with them on a United flight? My girlfriend and I booked our flights to visit our family in S.F. today and I'm taking mine with me as we are off to Tahoe and possibly Colorado and I can't pass up the opportunity for great rides. I called United and they said its free up to 32 kgs and I just turn up on the day no need to book it early. This all sounds well and good but I've heard some real horror stories of this situation where airlines have basically said sorry no room and people are stuck! I flew with Delta last time and they didnt charge me for the bike and it was put in the 'special luggage' hold. (if one exists!?)

Any United users out there with any experience!?!??!

johnah

Hi
I used them about 4 years ago and the were OK. I had 3 transfers in the US and they did all the transferring for me. From the time I left Heathrow until I arrived in Iowa they did all the luggage transfers for me.

nobrakes

I've had some wretched experiences on United international, as well as domestic flights from here (in the US).
I've since learned to deal with the situation, first being to pack light and use a sturdy cycle case, preferably hard-sided. An observation that the luggage handlers in Europe are far gentler and respectful of what's in your case than our domestic baggage apes.
When first arriving at airport with your packed bike, the folks here at TSA (Terminal Security Agency) will want to dig around inside your bike case, loosening straps, etc. in their search for bombs. Stay with your bike case as they X-ray it, explain what is inside to them, even the tools needed to assemble your bike. Do what you can to be helpful, as they aren't cyclists, and it all looks like guns and bombs to them.
I got several dings and scratches in a nice aluminum frame because I just left the case with them, and they opened and loosened up everything, then closed the case to be thrown around by the baggage apes. Tough lesson.
When you get to SF, I'd reccomend heading to Oakland and visiting MontanoVelo. A great shop, and my son works there. www.MontanoVelo.com

drewfromrisca

Cheers nobrakes thats great advice. Thanks for the shop tip. I have got $100 voucher to spend for my b'day in Pacific Cycles so I'll be purchasing some bike bling!!! Thanks for the experiences, I do have a hard case box which is pretty secure inside. When I flew with it last time I have to say Delta were fantastic, I didnt even get charged for it, I had a transfer in Minnesota too and the whole experience was better than expected. Fingers crossed it happens this time!

nobrakes

I haven't been overseas since last TDF, (caught the prologue and 1st 5 stages), but have always had our bikes travel international free. Domestic is about $100.00 each way, which is a complete ripoff. Used to be we could join a club and be given free bike travel, but the cost of the tickets was sky high, so no real savings there.

Happy b'day, spen your voucher on bike stuff and there are many cool things to buy at MontanoVelo, but they'd love to just shoot the breeze if you make it there. Have a great trip.