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Big old jet airliner....
I'm heading overseas in a couple weeks on Continental. Up to two years
ago, bikes were free for intercontinental fligths as long as they were under 50lbs and of certain dimensions (counting as a second piece of luggage). Last year, the rules became much more vague, and I got popped on my return flight for $80. This year, Continental seems to have returned to posting the rules on their website: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx "If the bike(s) is packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 linear inches (157cm), a $95 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply." Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Thanks. Scott |
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#2
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Big old jet airliner....
On 25 Apr 2007 09:46:12 -0700, Scott Gordo
wrote: I'm heading overseas in a couple weeks on Continental. Up to two years ago, bikes were free for intercontinental fligths as long as they were under 50lbs and of certain dimensions (counting as a second piece of luggage). Last year, the rules became much more vague, and I got popped on my return flight for $80. This year, Continental seems to have returned to posting the rules on their website: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx "If the bike(s) is packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 linear inches (157cm), a $95 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply." Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Thanks. Scott Dear Scott, Here's the latest bicycle shipping information that I can find: MANY RAILROADS YIELD. The past summer was quite notable for a vast extension of the territory within which bicycles are carried free as baggage. Theretofore all of the principal lines south-of the Potomac had charged for the machines of their passengers as excess baggage, and the measure before the Georgia legislature, calling for their free transportation, had failed of passage. The first important Southern system to yield was the Seaboard Air Line, which directed that bicycles should be checked without charge when no other baggage was presented, but cautioned its employees to handle them with 'carefulness and precaution' as befitting a mechanism of delicate and fragile construction. This action was soon followed by similar action on the part of other Southern roads, particularly the connections of the Seaboard Air Line; and it is probable that the custom adopted by them will become general in the Atlantic Coast States before the end of the present year. By far the most important point in the classification of bicycles as baggage, however, was granted late in May, when the Passenger Committee of the Trunk Line Association decided to check the machines presented by beginning and end of the Journey were in difpassengers without extra charge whenever the beginning and the end of the Journey were in different States." "Outing Magazine" October 1897 http://www.aafla.org/SportsLibrary/O...outXXXI01z.pdf Obviously, things had improved from the dark days of 1883, when the following rates were in effect: "The following are the rates for transporting bicycles in England, as luggage, at the owner’s risk : s. d. Under 50 miles, 1 0. Over 50 " under 75, 1 6. " 75 " " 100, 2 0. " 100 " " 150, 2 6. "Outing Magazine" 1883 http://www.aafla.org/SportsLibrary/O...5/outII05q.pdf Note the 150-mile limit. Cheers, Carl Fogel |
#3
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Big old jet airliner....
I thought that if you belonged to IMBA that they would waive or reduce the
fee on airlines. If you were to have to fly with your bike often you might consider the fee as money well spent. Also, I was able to charm a ticket agent once and got the fee waived, but I'm a really handsome fellow and he......I mean she was really nice! wrote in message ... On 25 Apr 2007 09:46:12 -0700, Scott Gordo wrote: I'm heading overseas in a couple weeks on Continental. Up to two years ago, bikes were free for intercontinental fligths as long as they were under 50lbs and of certain dimensions (counting as a second piece of luggage). Last year, the rules became much more vague, and I got popped on my return flight for $80. This year, Continental seems to have returned to posting the rules on their website: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx "If the bike(s) is packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 linear inches (157cm), a $95 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply." Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Thanks. Scott Dear Scott, Here's the latest bicycle shipping information that I can find: MANY RAILROADS YIELD. The past summer was quite notable for a vast extension of the territory within which bicycles are carried free as baggage. Theretofore all of the principal lines south-of the Potomac had charged for the machines of their passengers as excess baggage, and the measure before the Georgia legislature, calling for their free transportation, had failed of passage. The first important Southern system to yield was the Seaboard Air Line, which directed that bicycles should be checked without charge when no other baggage was presented, but cautioned its employees to handle them with 'carefulness and precaution' as befitting a mechanism of delicate and fragile construction. This action was soon followed by similar action on the part of other Southern roads, particularly the connections of the Seaboard Air Line; and it is probable that the custom adopted by them will become general in the Atlantic Coast States before the end of the present year. By far the most important point in the classification of bicycles as baggage, however, was granted late in May, when the Passenger Committee of the Trunk Line Association decided to check the machines presented by beginning and end of the Journey were in difpassengers without extra charge whenever the beginning and the end of the Journey were in different States." "Outing Magazine" October 1897 http://www.aafla.org/SportsLibrary/O...outXXXI01z.pdf Obviously, things had improved from the dark days of 1883, when the following rates were in effect: "The following are the rates for transporting bicycles in England, as luggage, at the owner's risk : s. d. Under 50 miles, 1 0. Over 50 " under 75, 1 6. " 75 " " 100, 2 0. " 100 " " 150, 2 6. "Outing Magazine" 1883 http://www.aafla.org/SportsLibrary/O...5/outII05q.pdf Note the 150-mile limit. Cheers, Carl Fogel |
#4
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Big old jet airliner....
try this link, I don't know how current it is
http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm "Scott Gordo" wrote in message oups.com... I'm heading overseas in a couple weeks on Continental. Up to two years ago, bikes were free for intercontinental fligths as long as they were under 50lbs and of certain dimensions (counting as a second piece of luggage). Last year, the rules became much more vague, and I got popped on my return flight for $80. This year, Continental seems to have returned to posting the rules on their website: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx "If the bike(s) is packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 linear inches (157cm), a $95 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply." Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Thanks. Scott |
#5
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Big old jet airliner....
I'm heading overseas in a couple weeks on Continental. Up to two years
ago, bikes were free for intercontinental fligths as long as they were under 50lbs and of certain dimensions (counting as a second piece of luggage). Last year, the rules became much more vague, and I got popped on my return flight for $80. This year, Continental seems to have returned to posting the rules on their website: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx "If the bike(s) is packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 linear inches (157cm), a $95 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply." Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Assume the worst, and hope for the best. Try to *not* let $190 (if they get you both ways) ruin your trip. In general, airlines are in a revenue-enhancement mode. It's amazing bikes have gotten a free ride for as long as they have on international routes (on most, but not all, carriers). Keep in mind that the ticketing agent is a minor god. Whatever he or she decides to do is the law. Doesn't matter what the rules say. Nor, in this day & age, are you likely to see someone reverse a charge on appeal. --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReactionBicycles.com |
#6
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Big old jet airliner....
On Apr 25, 5:46 pm, Scott Gordo wrote:
I'm heading overseas in a couple weeks on Continental. snip This year, Continental seems to have returned to posting the rules on their website:http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx snip Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Thanks. Scott Print it out from the website, keep the printout in your pocket as a backup, just in case the agent is having a bad day, Regards, bookieb. |
#7
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Big old jet airliner....
On Apr 25, 12:46 pm, Scott Gordo wrote:
Sounds like I can clear that without much issue. Has anyone flown Continental recently and been charged unwarrantedly? Last year, it seemed that whether I'd be charged was based on the whims of the agent. Dunno about bikes, but I have noticed that airlines have gotten a lot less accommodating with luggage than they once were. Airlines have lowered the per-bag weight limit from 70 pounds to 50 pounds, for example. I got burned on that trying to fly Delta to Paris last summer with a suitcase full of books. The agent on the way out gave me a hard time, and told me she would waive the fee if I took my shoes out of the bag. I think it was mostly an effort at personal humiliation, since the weight difference would have been negligible. I told her to stuff it and just charge me the fee. I had no problem (and no fee) checking the same bag on the return trip at de Gaulle. Good luck taking Continental transatlantic. Last time I did that, the service completely sucked. One airline I can recommend based on recent experience is EgyptAir -- really excellent service. The only downside is no booze. (But if you're going where I think you're going, I doubt that would be an option anyway ;-). CC |
#8
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Big old jet airliner....
On Apr 25, 11:46 am, Scott Gordo wrote:
deleted "If the bike(s) is packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 linear inches (157cm), a $95 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply." deleted The dimensions of an S&S coupled bicycle (26+26+10) meet this size limit and do not incur this charge. |
#9
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Big old jet airliner....
Keep in mind that the ticketing agent is a minor god. Whatever he or she
decides to do is the law. Doesn't matter what the rules say. Nor, in this day & age, are you likely to see someone reverse a charge on appeal. Yeah, it ain't like the old days when companies actually cared what you thought about them. Now it's all about volume and the squeaky wheel can go to Hell for all they care. Yet we need to put this in perspective; air traffic is dramatically cheaper, adjusted for inflation, than it was back in the day. Even with outrageous cost of fuel, ticket prices haven't gone up much. Airlines everywhere are operating in the red. And when airlines have tried to offer better services in exchange for even slightly-higher ticket prices, the traveling public goes to the cheaper fares. It's a crazy business. --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReactionBicycles.com |
#10
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Big old jet airliner....
still me wrote:
On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:47:53 GMT, "Mike Jacoubowsky" wrote: Yet we need to put this in perspective; air traffic is dramatically cheaper, adjusted for inflation, than it was back in the day. Even with outrageous cost of fuel, ticket prices haven't gone up much. Airlines everywhere are operating in the red. And when airlines have tried to offer better services in exchange for even slightly-higher ticket prices, the traveling public goes to the cheaper fares. It's a crazy business. --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReactionBicycles.com I agree - but that doesn't mean that they can't "do what's right" for customers. If a charge is unjustified, or service sub standard, they should at least do something to make the customer feel that they care. As Mike said, most of the traveling public seems to favor cheaper fares over better services, which suggests that "doing what's right" means keeping costs down. A 70 lb baggage allowance was no big deal when planes flew less than completely full, especially when most people didn't bring the full 70 lbs. As soon as the airlines started filling airplanes more efficiently, a 70 lb allowance increased the odds that the airline would not be able to fit every customer's baggage on a given flight. Reducing the allowance to 50 lbs means everybody's baggage fits on the plane they are traveling on, planes get unloaded and reloaded faster at every stop, fuel costs go down, and baggage handlers don't get injured as frequently. The truth is that only a tiny handful of us fly with our bicycles, and most people probably don't use the full 50 lb baggage allowance, so it really doesn't make sense for airlines to write their baggage policies for the sole benefit of a tiny handful of customers. One can always ship a bicycle to one's destination by UPS or FedEx for domestic journeys, and anyone who can afford to take a cycling vacation overseas can probably afford the service charge to take a bicycle on the plane. And FWIW, British Airways will still let you take a bicycle along with one checked bag free of charge between the US and Europe. mark |
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