wow.. sounds like a lot of hard times traveling. I've never had that
much trouble. I've never paid for international flights, (or national
for that matter except within the US, but sponsor paid for that) and
I've flown a LOT with my bike... it might have gone missing a few
times, but I always got it back (eventually).

I'll stop reading this threat now, it's too depressing as I'll be
flying again soon... I'm like the ostrich way of life...