Flying Sydney to Hobart

[Bob Chambers[_2_]]

A group of us are off to Hobart with our bikes in February. Anyone got
any info on Qantas policies for shipping bikes (bagged) - other than
that listed on their website.

o Likelihood of having excess baggage levied
o Likely state of bike on arrival
o getting from Hobart Airport to Hobart Town

anything else
--
Bob C

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[Parbs]

Bob Chambers wrote:
> Anyone got
> any info on Qantas policies for shipping bikes (bagged) - other than
> that listed on their website.
>

Fly Virgin Blue if you can.

Parbs

[Jack Russell]

Parbs wrote:
> Bob Chambers wrote:
>
>> Anyone got any info on Qantas policies for shipping bikes (bagged) -
>> other than that listed on their website.
>>
>
> Fly Virgin Blue if you can.
>
> Parbs
Agreed, Virgin Blue count the bike as 5kgs of luggage, whereas Qantas
officially charge a fixed price ($22?) although on my last trip to Perth
there was no charge in either direction. I prefer a box to a bag,
somehow seems to give more protection although that might be all in the
mind! If it is large group you may want to check that they can cope with
all the bikes on one flight. About 10 years ago the bikes followed on a
later flight.




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Remove norubbish to reply

[Tony]

Parbs > wrote in message
...
> Bob Chambers wrote:
> > Anyone got
> > any info on Qantas policies for shipping bikes (bagged) - other than
> > that listed on their website.
> >
>
> Fly Virgin Blue if you can.
>
> Parbs

Qantas do not give a **** about bikes, I had one packed in their 'Bike Box'
and upon arrival the box was totalled, but luckily the bike was ok. Their
baggage handlers are morons!

[hoot]

Tony wrote:
> Parbs > wrote in message
> ...
>> Bob Chambers wrote:
>>> Anyone got
>>> any info on Qantas policies for shipping bikes (bagged) - other than
>>> that listed on their website.
>>>
>> Fly Virgin Blue if you can.
>>
>> Parbs
>
> Qantas do not give a **** about bikes, I had one packed in their 'Bike Box'
> and upon arrival the box was totalled, but luckily the bike was ok. Their
> baggage handlers are morons!
>
>
I'd rather ride to Melbourne and catch the ferry to protect my bike.

[cfsmtb[_263_]]

hoot Wrote:
>
> I'd rather ride to Melbourne and catch the ferry to protect my bike.

Or, if one resides in Melb, take the car + bikes on the ferry, thus
avoiding Qantas, Jetstar and a hire car. Well that's the plan for later
this year .. ;)


--
cfsmtb

[PeteSig[_2_]]

"Jack Russell" wrote:

> Agreed, Virgin Blue count the bike as 5kgs of luggage, whereas Qantas
> officially charge a fixed price ($22?) although on my last trip to Perth
> there was no charge in either direction.

I don't think that applies anymore. Last January we flew Virgin Blue back
from Tassie. Earlier I received an email from them about their new bike
policy, luckily it didn't apply to us as we'd already bought and paid for
the tickets.

Virgin Blue now count the bike as part of your checked baggage, for its full
weight. Not sure if the check-in weight limit is 20kgs (what it was in Dec
2006) or 32kgs as their website seems to say. Whatever it is the weight of
the bike is counted as part of it. This is pretty much the same as what
Qantas charges - don't know about the $22, I'd pay that if they'd take the
bike no matter what weight :-) But I think that may be the cost of their
bike boxes.

> I prefer a box to a bag, somehow seems to give more protection although
> that might be all in the
> mind! If it is large group you may want to check that they can cope with
> all the bikes on one flight. About 10 years ago the bikes followed on a
> later flight.

Yes, go for a box. But pay the cost for the airline's boxes, it's only
$15-$20. They are a damn sight bigger than any box you'll get from a bike
shop, and much more robust. Means you might not have to remove your
handlebars, front headlight and saddle as I had to coming back from Hobart
..Grrrrrrr!!

--
Cheers
Peter

~~~ ~ _@
~~ ~ _- \,
~~ (*)/ (*)

[Spider1977[_2_]]

I live in Hobart. You will get hit with excess baggage so I suggest you
cram as much into your hand luggage and keep weight down. If you are a
Qantas Club member you get an extra baggage allowance, which will
easily cover your luggage including bike.

I went to TdeF last year with Qantas. Packed bike in a box which I
got from LBS. No problems at all and I have a large 61cm full carbon
frame. Make sure you pack the bike well and get the plastic bits from
your LBS to protect those bits which stick out.

If your bike is packed well with plenty of protection it doesn't really
matter if the box gets wrecked as long as nothing is loose to fall out.
Baggage handlers, in my experience usually are careful. Its when a load
moves around in the hold when the damage occurs - or if its wet at the
airport and the box is left in the rain.

Jetison the box when you get to the airport - it's easier to cart the
bike around without the box. Pick up a new one from a bike shop in
Hobart before you leave.

The Qantas boxes are great they are larger than ones you get from the
shop. I once went to the Gold Coast and basically only had to take off
the front wheel and turn the bars sideways and down, lower the seat.
There was enough room to leave the pedals on - although I did take them
off. I put a back pack full of clothes in there for padding. The bike
and box arrived (both directions) without a scratch or dent in the
box.

See you on the road when you get here. Hope you've got your climbing
legs! One thing about Tassie is that you can't go for a days ride
without a few hills.


--
Spider1977

[PeteSig[_2_]]

"Spider1977" wrote:

> I went to TdeF last year with Qantas. Packed bike in a box which I
> got from LBS. No problems at all and I have a large 61cm full carbon
> frame.

My experiences with LBS bike boxes being way too cramped was with a touring
MTB - including front and rear pannier racks, mudguards, dynamo lighting
set. This is a different beast to pack than a trimmed down road bike. :(

I'll pay for the Qantas box next time.

> Make sure you pack the bike well and get the plastic bits from
> your LBS to protect those bits which stick out.

Bubble wrap is handy for that.

> See you on the road when you get here. Hope you've got your climbing
> legs! One thing about Tassie is that you can't go for a days ride
> without a few hills.

You're not wrong there. There a re hills, then there's Tasmanian hills. And
the ones between Lilydale and Scottsdale would have to be some of the worst.
Haven't met so many 12 to 14% grades in one area before, they really tested
out my kids on our tour.

http://family.webshots.com/album/558472730VpaQAX

--
Cheers
Peter

~~~ ~ _@
~~ ~ _- \,
~~ (*)/ (*)

[Dave]

On Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:24:20 +0000, PeteSig wrote:

> My experiences with LBS bike boxes being way too cramped was with a
> touring MTB - including front and rear pannier racks, mudguards, dynamo
> lighting set. This is a different beast to pack than a trimmed down road
> bike. :(

As a note for next time, I've found that DH and "freeride" MTB boxes are
a touch bigger, so if it says "Norco" or "Kona" on the side you're
probably in with a chance. Serves you right for scrounging from a roadie
shop!

--
Dave Hughes |
"Never make any mistaeks."
(Anonymous, in a mail discussion.)