Unfortunately, they won't be able to escape the new $25 charge for 50-69 pound "heavy" suitcases. While not every airline has adopted the $25 surcharge for "heavy" 50-70 pound suitcases, the movement is growing.įor six years SafeCase owners have successfully avoided $50-$125 "bicycle" charges and $100-$150 "overweight" charges. The $25 fee covers the cost of tagging those bags that might otherwise cause an injury. In this case the airlines claim their workers need to be warned (via special tag) before straining themselves with a "heavy" case. The newest wrinkle appeared last winter, when some airlines started charging $25 for any checked piece of luggage weighing over 50 pounds. While cyclists feel targeted, airlines charge LESS for a gigantic bike box weighing 99 pounds (usually $75) than for a normal suitcase weighing 71 pounds (usually $125). And these same rules divert items weighing over 100 pounds to airfreight (where the employees use forklifts). The reason for the extra charge (they claim) is that employee work rules now mandate that items heavier than 70 pounds must be lifted by two people. What about weight? For the past half-dozen years most airlines have assessed a $100-$150 upcharge for each suitcase weighing over 70 pounds (32kg). Of course, If you want to tell them you've got a bicycle-the airline will be happy to take your money. The SafeCase normally travels free because (1) it doesn't LOOK like a bike case, and (2) it doesn't require special handling. Even if your bike is small enough to fit in the overhead compartment (or your pocket) their rules allow them to charge you $50-$-$125 for a bicycle. The "bicycle" fee charged by airlines is NOT based on size. Because each individual SafeCase dimension falls within the limit imposed by airport conveyor systems, the sum of these dimensions has never been an issue.Īn explanation. While airline employees invariably count and weigh checked luggage, they won't measure a box or bag unless they think it might jam their conveyor system. And (except for those times when I have too many pieces of luggage) I've never paid to check a SafeCase.Īlthough the SafeCase exceeds the often-quoted 62-inch guideline, I have not yet received one report of an airline employee actually measuring these suitcase-shaped bike cases. To date, ZERO problems.īecause it looks like a suitcase I am rarely asked "What's inside?" My answer "Bicycle parts." Only once did someone ask "Is there a bicycle inside?" My answer was "Don't I wish." Actually, because I always pack the pedals in a separate case, these predictable questions don't unnerve me. I've personally checked a SafeCase dozens of times (with and without tandems inside), and our customers have reported hundreds of additional check-ins. Since 2001 we've offered optional die-cut inserts that eliminate guesswork and wrapping-and cut packing time in half. Aufbereitet aus der englischsprachigen Mailingliste, 10/2003) The Safe Case Flying With Your Tandem by Bill McCready (Tipps zum Fliegen mit Tandems - und ein wenig Werbung.
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