But David Mozer, director of the International Bicycle Fund, a Seattle advocacy group that monitors airline policies on bikes, claims the airlines charge extra for certain types of gear simply because they can.
"It used to be that most airlines allowed bikes to travel free," he says. "But the surcharges have gone up way faster than inflation." Mozer says he's particularly irked that bikes are singled out for fees, but skis and golf bags are not.
"A set of golf clubs can weigh as much or more than a bicycle," he laments. "It's just that bicyclists don't make a lot of noise about the policy."
That said, it's worth noting that Datz's negotiation skills paid off in the long run. Though he paid United's fee, the attorney took up the matter with a customer service agent when he got home. Ultimately, the airline sent him a $100 voucher good for future travel. "I knew the airline didn't have any hard and fast rules because they didn't charge me to get the bike there," he says. "As long as they had some discretion, I felt I had a chance."
Rita Zeidner is a freelance writer in Washington who travels frequently with her bicycle.
Thinking Big? Tips for the Trip
Here are some tips that may save you money or ease hassles at the airport if you want to check a piece of oversize sports gear.
• Mind your manners. "The best thing you can do is smile and hope you get a nice person at the ticket counter," says Brian Parsons, director of the U.S. Olympic kayaking team and a frequent transporter of oversize gear. When faced with an unexpected charge, he says, "it's very easy to get frustrated and start taking it out on airline personnel. But that's almost always counterproductive."
• Take notes. If you think a fee was unreasonably applied, maintain a record of the experience, including receipts and the names of reps you dealt with. Then follow up with customer service when you get home. Although you may not get your cash back, savvy negotiating skills may get you a discount on future travel. Likewise, if you know you got a good rate from an airline checking oversize baggage, keep the receipt and bring it with you to check-in the next time you fly.
• Join the club. Some sports groups and clubs offer benefits to their members that can make traveling with gear easier or cheaper. For example, members of the League of American Bicyclists get free bike transport on most domestic flights operated by Frontier and America West airlines. But you must make your reservation through the organization's designated travel agent; visit www.bikeleague.org for more info.
Caveat: Check out competing airlines before you lock in a fare; even if you have to pay a baggage handling fee, you may be able to do better.
• Check out curbside check-in. Some travelers report that porters are less likely than airline staffers to bother with baggage fees, especially if encouraged by a generous tip.
• Ship ahead. If you're afraid of what may happen to your oversize gear once it's out of your sight, or if you don't want to pay extra fees to the airline, consider sending it ahead using shippers such as UPS or FedEx. A relative newcomer, Sports Express (www.sportsexpress.com), markets "extreme service" specifically to traveling athletes and claims it will pack and oversee the transport of sports equipment of any size or shape -- including kayaks, javelins, vaulting poles and stilts -- to customers within North America and parts of Europe and the Caribbean.
• Switch gear. Hybrid equipment, including bikes and kayaks that fold into a carrying case, can minimize packing and handling hassles. For info on travel bikes, check out www.bikefriday.com. Information on folding kayaks is available at www.foldingkayaks.org.
-- Rita Zeidner
