wew@mgweed.UUCP (Ed Weiss) (06/27/85)
Becky in Memphis... About your question about shipping your bike as luggage on a plane... Two of us returned our bikes with us packaged in bike boxes just as you plan to do. We took a lot of the materials (corrugated pads, plastic wrapping and foam blocks) the new bikes are packed in for bracing, blocking and cushioning our bikes. We packed some of clothing in the box with the bike for more cushioning - and besides we didn't have that extra to carry-on. We didn't have the courage to pack the front wheels in along side the bike frame so we did carry them on. They fit nicely in the suitbag storage compartment in the front of the plane. The boxes had hand-hold cut-outs which made carrying them very easy. We flew Midway airlines from West Palm Beach to Chicago. They told us there would be a $15 charge for the special handling, but when we checked in, the fellow at the luggage counter was so concerned that the boxes were marked well with destination and caution stickers that he apparently neglected to charge us. It didn't occur to us that he had forgotten to charge us until we were relating our experiences to some friends later that night in Chicago! The two boxes were resting against the wall by the time we arrived at the luggage claim area in Chicago - looking no worse for the trip. Unpacking the next day, the bikes were found to be totally free of harm! I think it is important that the various parts of the bike be isolated from each other in the box and bike parts like the forks and chain wheel which are totally lost if bent, be protected in such a way that should the box be hit sharply in the area of those components, there is room for give thus avoiding contact with the bike component. We used duct tape to seal the boxes, many 10 -12" lengths along top and bottom flaps as well as two total wraps from top around bottom and back to top!! Good luck... Ed Weiss