J
john
Guest
Hi all
Well my Performance cargo case & I made it just fine to my destination.
(One flight only). Per rbt suggestions, I had thought of using Ancra
(sp?) motorcycle tie down straps. When I pulled them out, I realized
that the large hooks on the ends would never work properly. They would
too prone to catching on luggage handling equipment & other luggage.
Fortunately I had 2 old straps that have the plastic (Fastac like)
buckles that work similarly to double "D" ring, that were each long
enough to reach around the case. Both were held in place laterally to
their circumferential direction, by catching natural indentations in
the case. I carefully wrapped the loose ends around the buckles, &
finished it off w/ knots. I also wrote w/ a metallic pen pointing out
the torn area & asking for caution if an inspector had to open the
case.
My old technique of tipping the Sky Cap $20 @ the curbside check in to
get my bike through w/o the usual exorbitant fee didn't work. I had
planned this time to go for $30 to keep up w/ inflation, but never had
a chance. South West doesn't allow bikes to be checked @ curb side,
period. At least not in Oakland. However the fee was $50 as opposed to
the $80 that they had mentioned on conditions of my pre boarding pass.
All & all, It was a very pleasenrt experience. SW, despite being a bear
bones airline manages to do things very well. I've had far worse
flights on TWA, US Air, Notthwest, to name a few
The Performance case is very heavy. The Mt. bike it's self weighs
~25#. I had to remove many of the bike parts from the bike case to my
luggage to keep its total weight under 50#.
Thanks so much for all your helpful suggestions, John
Sorry to have taken so long to reply. Been busy visiting w/ grand kids,
relatives & riding.
Well my Performance cargo case & I made it just fine to my destination.
(One flight only). Per rbt suggestions, I had thought of using Ancra
(sp?) motorcycle tie down straps. When I pulled them out, I realized
that the large hooks on the ends would never work properly. They would
too prone to catching on luggage handling equipment & other luggage.
Fortunately I had 2 old straps that have the plastic (Fastac like)
buckles that work similarly to double "D" ring, that were each long
enough to reach around the case. Both were held in place laterally to
their circumferential direction, by catching natural indentations in
the case. I carefully wrapped the loose ends around the buckles, &
finished it off w/ knots. I also wrote w/ a metallic pen pointing out
the torn area & asking for caution if an inspector had to open the
case.
My old technique of tipping the Sky Cap $20 @ the curbside check in to
get my bike through w/o the usual exorbitant fee didn't work. I had
planned this time to go for $30 to keep up w/ inflation, but never had
a chance. South West doesn't allow bikes to be checked @ curb side,
period. At least not in Oakland. However the fee was $50 as opposed to
the $80 that they had mentioned on conditions of my pre boarding pass.
All & all, It was a very pleasenrt experience. SW, despite being a bear
bones airline manages to do things very well. I've had far worse
flights on TWA, US Air, Notthwest, to name a few
The Performance case is very heavy. The Mt. bike it's self weighs
~25#. I had to remove many of the bike parts from the bike case to my
luggage to keep its total weight under 50#.
Thanks so much for all your helpful suggestions, John
Sorry to have taken so long to reply. Been busy visiting w/ grand kids,
relatives & riding.
