So, when the opportunity to go to St. Louis presented itself, I told myself that I wasn't going to rent a car; no matter what. So, I didn't.
I packed Brahma in the B&W case and checked it on Southwest Airlines. Remember - 2 free checked bags up to 50 LBS on Southwest. The bags have to conform to airline checked baggage standards, which I believe are: Length+Width+Height <= 62 inches. I had no trouble with the weigh restriction or the size restriction. I kept nothing else in the B&W case, except Brahma. I even took the saddle out; although, my saddle is on an extended seat post, which makes it unnecessary to remove the saddle from the seat post. I took it out because it was easier to pack the suitcase without the saddle in there; too cramped otherwise. I might change my mind on this in the future though. For this trip, I stuck the saddle in my T-bag and checked the T-bag.
I want to take this moment to thank Fernando of The Dirty Brompton. Fernando's post showed me a very fool-proof way to let the TSA know how to open the case, without accidentally breaking it. The directions written on the B&W case, pictured below, are Fernando's original thoughts.
Thanks Fernando!
Peace :)
PS. I carried the Metallic Silver marker I used for writing the instructions on the B&W case with me to St. Louis. I needed to touch-up some of the letters, which had faded in transit. I think it is not a bad idea to do this.
Nice work! What did you do with the B&W when you arrived in STL? Did you take a taxi, public transportation or get picked up when you arrived at the airport?
ReplyDeleteI was going to take the Metro to my hotel.
DeleteHowever, there was the choice of Free Hotel Shuttle.
I took that instead.
Even if the shuttle had become unavailable, there are hotels close to the Metro in St. Louis. So, Metro or Shuttle, either would have worked.
Peace :)
The writing is an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve.
DeleteThe Brahma travel adventures have started.... am I right?
ReplyDeleteI definitely hope that you are right, Pia :)
DeleteMore people should travel like this.....
ReplyDelete-Trevor
Thanks, Trevor.
DeleteIt is a fun way to get around, as you very well know.
Peace :)
just FYI, after my first flying-disaster with my brompton (had to pay the FULL bike fee, plus its arrival was delayed!), and after reading a bit of bloggers reporting on the flying-with-foldies situation, I can attest to a much simpler solution: gate-check!
ReplyDelete-- get some rubber straps or a bungee to keep the bike folded closed,
-- take your seat off and put it in a backpack (so the airline people are less likely to think it's a bike),
-- memorize the phrase "personal mobility device" (in case the airline people try to argue with you that it's a bike -- DON'T SAY THE B-WORD, even if it has the word "folding" in front of it!!!),
-- put the bike thru the TSA machines (it should fit easily!!),
-- attach a gate-check tag to your bike
-- place the bike in the proper place just before you board the airplane (the place where people put the strollers)
-- there should be a similar place to retrieve your bike once you get to your destination!
I think NOT wrapping your bike makes the handlers see that it is a device and not a box to be thrown, and also should help them find a good place to grab it. I did wrap mine in one of those foam non-slip cabinet liners, to protect the enamel.
But the best part was that I had my bike as soon as i got off the plane! And I didn't even have to pay anything!
suchawitch:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
I think you have a clever solution.
So what do you if you the airline rejects taking your folded bicycle onboard or the FSA stops you?
Peace :)