gtrekker2003

Hi.

Any suggestions on taking a bike on Continental from the US to the UK? The box would be approx 60x50x10". Online, it said it would cost about $300 for this extra.

Any other alternatives to getting the bike to the UK safely and not as costly as $300?

Secondly, would you check in a computer? I imagine it will really get banged around. Any other alternatives?

Thanks!

freeman0819

Hi Trekker,

Can you split up the bike? As in take it apart and put it in suitcases/boxes that fit within the size requirements for check-in luggage. As for the computer- so I wouldn't check a computer. Luggage is generally dropped, pushed and handled fairly roughly. You shouldn't put fragile items in your checked luggage. How pick is the computer, meaning is it hard drive, monitor, printer, other items?

gtrekker2003

Computer is an imac. So just a 24-inch screen. Box is about 27x24x29. Are there other safer alternatives than taking it on the plane?

As for the bike, I could take the wheel off the front, remove handlebars, but it will still be too big. Any other methods of sending it to the UK?

freeman0819

I should really re-read all of my posts before hitting POST. Sorry for the typos...

For the computer, consider carrying the hard drive with you on the plane in a backpack (if it will fit) or a carryon roller bag. You could pack the monitor in your luggage (wrap it in bubble wrap to cushion any bumps along the way). At least if the monitor gets damaged, it's not going to kill your wallet, compared to a damaged hard drive!

For the bike, look into the cost of sending it Fed ex or DHL with insurance, it might be cheaper than $300 and less hassle than dragging giant boxes to the airport.

Seamus

If you do not have a box in which to pack your bike CO will sell you one for $25. You may want to heck with a local bike shop to see if they can let you have a box that will work. The box must be sealed at check in, with nothing sticking out of the box. Fee for carrying a boxed bike as checked luggage is $100 if it weighs over 50 lbs. If it weighs less than 50lbs you can count it as your second checked bag and the fee goes down to $25. So total fee could range from $25 (your own box, weighs less than 50lbs) to $125 (buy a box, weighs more than 50 lbs.) Max weight is 70 lbs.
Whether you use your own or a CO box you need to loosen and twist the handlebars 90 degrees. You could also completely remove the handlebars but that's usually a pain. You must also remove the pedals - good idea to secure them to the bike frame (put in a heavy duty plastic bag that you tape or wrap around the frame and staple to itself) so that if the box is damaged in transport they do not fall out.

As for the computer, I would not check it. CO and just about every other airline will accept PC's for checked baggage BUT it is strictly at your own risk. I would just carry it with me. If that is not possible then shipping ahead via DHL or other carrier is an option, but be sure it is very well packaged and cushioned.

sarge56

gtrekker- not sure why you are taking both of these overseas, but am guessing you're either moving there or going extended stay.

If the bike is not especially expensive, you might consider storing it while you're gone (or selling it), and just picking up a new one in UK. I guess it really depends on how serious a biker you are. You could sell the UK one before leaving.

On the computer, I'd also consider removing the hard drive- OR simply having the entire thing shipped via FedEx.

Good luck!

toedtoes

From Continental's website, it looks like the bike is only accepted as a second checked bag if it is 62 linear inches or less. According to the OP's measurements, the box is 120 linear inches.

The website also states: "Baggage in excess of 70 pounds (32 kilograms) or 115 linear inches (292 cm)(total length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage."; and

"Checked baggage exceeding 80 linear inches (203 cm) - 115 linear inches (292 cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $300.00 per piece."

Unless you can get your box down at least 5 inches, it won't be accepted.

If it were me, I'd look at a shipping company for options for both of them.

If the bike cost less than the shipping fee, then I would do as Sarge suggests and buy a new one in the UK and then sell it before you return. If you're going indefinitely, then sell the one you have now, and put the money towards a new one upon arrival in the UK.

The same goes for the computer. Depending upon the shipping costs, it might be better to buy a laptop and sell the desktop (you can then take the laptop as carry on), or if you need a desktop, buy a portable harddrive to store all your data and programs, sell the imac, then carry on the portable harddrive and buy a new (or used) imac upon arrival in the UK.

It would all depend upon the cost of shipping vs. the cost of the computer and bicycle.

rkkwan

Information about a bike is here:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx

It's a $100 fee one-way, not $300.

toedtoes

Rkkwan - that page states:

"If the bicycle(s) are packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), a $100 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply."

For transatlantic flights, the box would be subject to the excess baggage fees as stated:

"Checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (157 cm) - 80 linear inches (203 cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $150.00 per piece.

Checked baggage exceeding 80 linear inches (203 cm) - 115 linear inches (292 cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $300.00 per piece.

Baggage measuring more than 115 in (292 cm) (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage."

The OP's box is 120 linear inches which is over the maximum size limit.

I think the OP may actually be charged $400 ($300 excess baggage fee + $100 service charge) if the box can be reduced by at least 5 inches in any direction.

Am I wrong? They do make this awfully confusing.

rkkwan

I don't read it that way. Only extra excess charges if the OP is checking more than two pieces of luggage (including the bike). If it's one checked bag (not excess in size or weight) and the bike, then it should be just that one $100 fee, each way.

I have no first hand experience, but that's my interpretation.

toedtoes

Hmm, since they state that bike packages less than 50lbs and/or 62 linear inches would be acceptable as a second checked bag for the $25 fee, I'm reading it as the larger/heavier boxes are going to be charged the excess baggage charge as well as a $100 service charge.

I guess I'd be calling the airline to verify if I were the OP.

andrews98682

No way in hell would I check a laptop.

Sue_xx_yy

I think I'll hire myself out to Continental as an editor. That is one complex policy they have on their website.

The first paragraph quoted below makes clear that a minimum of one of two conditions has to apply for the bike to be liable for the $100 service fee:

&quot;If the bicycle(s) are packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) <i> and/or </i> [italics mine] 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), a $100 service charge applies each way. The service charge is <i> in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply.</i> [italics mine]. Bicycle equipment over 70lbs (32 kg) will not be accepted as checked baggage.&quot;

Now, do excess baggage fees apply? The next paragraph suggests they likely WOULDN'T. Again, only a minimum of one of two conditions has to apply for the bike to be covered under the relevant policy.

&quot;If the bicycle(s) are packed in a container that is under 50 lbs (23kg) <i> and/or </i> [italics mine] 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), if applicable the first ($15) or second bag fee ($25) applies.

To spell it out in detail:

The first paragraph makes clear that if the bike is over 50 pounds OR if it is over 62 linear inches OR both - then the $100 fee applies. Since the box will likely be more than 62 linear inches (we have shipped bikes in cardboard boxes obtained from bike shops and they're always 'oversized' - even when bike is taken apart somewhat to fit the box) then this 'oversize' fee will likely apply.

The second paragraph defines whether the bike will be considered excess baggage.

If read the same way: if the bike is under 50 pounds OR if it is under 62 linear inches OR both - then only the first/second bag fee of $15/25 will be charged if applicable. Again, only one of the conditions (weight OR size) has to be met for the paragraph to apply. BTW &quot;If applicable&quot; presumably (!) means it isn't being checked as a third (or more) bag.

Since the bike and box will likely weigh less than 50 pounds (I have to haul a 26 inch wheeled bike up a flight of 7 stairs every day and trust me, even though my bike is small, I doubt even a larger one is over 50 pounds) I suspect that, providing the bike is not a third or greater item, 'only' an additional $15 or $25 fee will apply. (Needless to say, it behooves the OP to weigh their bike, in box, beforehand to be sure.)

Frankly, I'd print out the relevant website page - complete with date/time stamp out and take it with me when I went to the airport. They try to charge me $300, I'd file a grievance with my CC company.

fmpden

There is another alternative -- Bike Friday. It will pack easily in a large rolling suitcase and weigh under 50 lbs and will go as regular checked luggage. A couple of round trips will more than pay for the new bike.