> 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?
"Chris eS" <emailchris@canoemail.com> wrote in message
news:sjl0bv8r72htgu5rc74qne77156t43k8kv@4ax.com...
> Maybe try another airline...or pack your bike in a box and
don't tell
> them what's in the box. Some airlines will not charge for
an extra
> piece of baggage or package to a certain size. If the
package is
> oversize they could charge a small fee. But not $80. Some
airlines
> have a thing against bikes. Or tell them it's golf clubs.
They don't
> charge for golf clubs. Can a packed bike look like packed
golf clubs?
> Good luck...hope you save a buck,
All of 'em are jacking up their BS fees in these tough times. Shop ruthlessly -- find out what the
fees are ahead of time, and figure that into your total cost. Better than the golf club excuse --
tell 'em it's a trade show display, which are often packaged in boxes the same size and shape as
bike boxes. A bike box is obviously not golf clubs, and I'm not sure that excuse works anyway.
Golfers might be seen as affluent vacationers, easily shaken down for 50-100 bucks, but airlines
will do anything to suck up to business travellers -- that's where they make their money.
In any case, haggle like a gypsy -- the worst thing that could happen is that they say no.
Anything's worth a try. This works for hotels, rental cars, etc. Deals are there for the taking, but
only if you ask. Pretend you're buying sandals from a Tijuana street vendor.
FWIW, America West has always had very lenient baggage policies.
There used to be a deal with the Leage of American Bicyclists where if you were a member, you could
fly your bike for free if you booked the flight through LAB's travel agency. You could find the
flight on the web and just book it through them. I don't know if this is still going on, but it's
worth checking out.
Other than that, I'd suggest shipping Fedex ground (definately cheaper than UPS for bikes). However,
there might be hassles or extra BS fees for crossing the US/Canada border. FWIW, UPS is particularly
bad about these fees.
Personally, I'm sick of travelling without my bike. I think of all the missed opportunities... I
bring it when I can but it's a hassle, and/or expensive. I'll probably invest in a folder of
some sort.
Matt O.
Taking a bike from Canada to US 
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