Anyone ever travel with a bicycle?

[chuychanga]

I'm planning a weeklong cycling trip in Glacier National Park. I've never flown with my bike, but I know it is quite a hassle for most people. I know most airlines make you partially disassemble it, put in it in a bag or box, and pay a fee of around $50-$80.

But if I'm jumpseating, do you think I'd still have to pay the fee and check it? Do you think I could just bring the bike through security, walk it down the jetway and out onto the ramp and take it to the baggage door myself, assuming I'm flying on my own airline?

 

[Wanderer]

I think you would have trouble getting the bike through TSA.

 

[Chris9702l]

It won't work. I use a NWA discount to ship it on Fedex. Comes out to around $30 one way from coast to coast (MHT to SEA). I've done it a dozen times. I got the "Ironcase" to transport the frame and just keep a spare wheelset at my brothers in Seattle.

Have fun ridin'
Chris

 

[Wanderer]

Great idea...ever have any damage done to it?