Poor triathlete gets screwed by Delta Airlines
Shocking, I know. Cyclist get screwed on a daily basis by the airlines, but this poor fella gets the ROYAL treatment. Check it out,
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Shocking, I know. Cyclist get screwed on a daily basis by the airlines, but this poor fella gets the ROYAL treatment. Check it out,
Comments
OMW....I did not know this stuff happens! Call me naive, but guess I just thought the airlines would take care of personal stuff, especially when we pay them and trust them to do just that! So, the question is to ship the bike by airline or not? Prolly not an option for traveling to races overseas, but in the US I know of people that ship their bikes by...it is called tritransport or something to that effect. Prolly be the better way to ship.
If you can't use TriBikeTransport, buy a hard case (or borrow- LOTS of cycling clubs, tri clubs, and even LBS shops will rent/lend them) and ship it via FedEx or UPS where you can insure the shipment. Yes, FedEx and UPS might also damage your bike, but at least it will be insured and you WILL get money to replace the bike. The cost of shipping my bike to/from LA (that' about as far east coas to west coast as you can get) for $70 each way. Much cheaper than the airlines. The only down side is you will be without your bike for a few days longer than if you took it on the plane.
THere are also a few other services (like Shipbikes.com, bikeflights.com, sportsexpress.com) which will manage the shipping for you, but ultimately they use either FedEx or UPS. They can make the process seem a little less of a hassle, but you may pay a little more for that service.
There's also a recent post from American Airlines doing the same as Delta.
www.youtube.com/watch
TriBike Transport is land-based, they ship your bikes completely assembled (minus the peddles), in semi trucks, strapped down and covered with padded moving blankets.Not the same as handing over your bike in a box (hard or soft) to an airline rep, who then gives it to (purposefully?) clumbsy baggage handlers, etc.
I flew with my bike twice in the last year. Once I dropped my bike case at the TSA baggage check and the officer asked it was a bike. I replied and said that yes, it was a bike. I made sure that I asked them to be careful with it because it was packed pretty good to avoid any damage. Well, the smart-ass reply I got from the officer was, "I think I can handle it, we deal with these all the time." Ya, well when I opened the case, not only was there a dent in the top tube, but a nice scratch too. I paid $150 each way for TSA and the airline to damage my bike. And not a dam thing you can do about it. That's why I am also using TriBike Transport for IMAZ.
When will this airline crap end?!
Wei, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I have shipped my bike through TBT twice, and have found them to be extraordinary. Watching them load and unload--lots of care and supervision by the owner. Keep trying to contact them, I think you will get some satisfaction in the end. If not, one more disappointment to add to the list. Keep us posted.
Wei,
I'm TBT-sponsored this year (and last). Please send me (salexand652@gmail.com) the last email you sent them and I'll see what I can find out.
Never underestimate the power of a citizen journalist with a broadband connection, and an axe to grind.
Used a low-cost airline - bike cost me GBP £80 return, I cost £100 !! Did freak a bit in Palma airport when my bike bag was chucked onto the conveyor belt - was 1st out however!
Not sure what I'm going to do for Cozumel - flying BA to Miami then Conti' to Coz via Houston - need to price it up, FedEx could be cheaper & safer.......
Anyone any experience of continental's attitude to bikes & excess bags?