Taking a bike from Canada to US - Page 2

"John Bartley K7AAY (ex-KGH2126)" wrote:

> Take Amtrak? www.amtrak.com On 30 Apr 2003 15:24:22 -0700, nathantusa@yahoo.com (nate) wrote:
>
> >Hi I am planning to bring a bike from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco and I'm wondering what's the
> >best way to do it. I was planning to bring it on the plane with me but they said it would be
> >charged US$80 one way!
> >
> >Anyone have any good shipping suggestions, etc?
>
> --
> Nobody but a fool goes into a federal counterrorism operation without duct tape - Richard Preston,
> THE COBRA EVENT.

I've done it a couple of times. Actually both times it was taking a bike from California to
Vancouver. Once on Alaska Air, one time on Phillipines Air. Both times I called around, found a
bike shop to give me a bike box. (they are glad to be rid of cardboard). Then I called the
airline's customer service. Got a bum steer from Phillipine's, as the person on the phone said it
was no charge as long as it was packed in a proper bike box. At the airport (about the second
flying day after the
9/11 disaster) they wanted - I think - $80 USD for the bike box. I refused to pay. Told my telephone
story, and refused to pay. Finally the very calm and patient clerk found her supervisor. Again we
discussed my phone calls, and (advice notice: get the name!) i could not name the person who
assured my bike would fly free. I stood my ground as long as possible, stayed polite, friendly,
and inflexible. Finally (they had already taken by bike at this point) we compromised on half the
usual cost.

The Alaska story is better. I arrived at the check in (April, 2002) a "little bit" late. They
checked my bags, slapped stickers on my 'oversize' bike box, and people started grabbing stuff and
moving it to the plane. No charge for the bike - I'm pretty sure it was an error caused by my
lateness and everyone in a hurry. When I got to Vancouver, my ride was not able to pick me up. I
checked bike and some luggage ($5.00 a day) in the downstairs baggage check. Returned the next
evening, with panniers and bungees, picked up box & bags, paid the handsome $5 spot. Used the free
smartcarts system to carry baggage to a big construction dumpster outside the terminal. Reassembled
bike, filled panniers, & made use of bungees, cruised on home.

The Vancouver area is a beautiful place to be. Springtime can be very wet, but when the sun breaks
thru, it may not be paradise, but you can see it from here. ;-} Thanks for listening, Bernie
PS: suggestions? Make lots of phone calls first. Take names. Be firm. Lots of luck! B