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My Letter to VirginAmerica Airlines Regarding Bicycles as Baggage

Hello,

It seems that you all are trying to create a different kind of airline that exceeds customers’ expectations. For all the folks out there that are trying to live a green lifestyle and minimize their use of cars, bringing your bike with you when you travel is ideal. However, most airlines — yours included — charge $50-60 each way to check a bicycle. In contrast, checking oversized ski equipment is often free. Bicycles are primary modes of transportation for many people particularly people with limited means, whereas skis are a luxury item.

Please consider allowing cyclists to check bicycles onto your planes for free, or for a reduced price such as $10 each way, which would be comparable to what trains and buses charge. You would immediately win the loyalty of all the cyclists and green-living folks out there and would likely get a lot more money in ticket sales from those types of travelers.

Thanks for listening!

Sally Carson

…I encourage every cyclist to write a similar letter to any and all airlines. Email VirginAmerica about this, you can copy and paste my text if that helps.

^ 8 Comments...

  1. Nick

    amen sister.

  2. Jeff L

    You tell em, Sally!

    Hope things are going well…

  3. Jesse!

    Is there a way to just tell them it’s ski equipment? If they question, tell them it’s “experimental”.

  4. Mike Mashes

    Hi Sally! great idea. Southwest on the other hand doesn’t charge, as long you box it…

  5. Sally ala Fixpert

    Thanks Mike. I checked Southwest’s policies on bikes, and your boxed bike still has to fit within the standard 62″ dimension requirement (length + width + height). I usually can’t get my bike to pack down this small into a bike box, but I’m told that with a bike bag it can be done. So, thanks!

  6. Chason

    I usually just lie and say its “trade show equipment” (a little trick Jim C taught me). As long as you are under the max size limit, its free.

  7. Paul Schreiber

    I complained about this to American back in 2003.

    They gave a pretty poor reply, so I wrote back.

    Turns out they pretty much don’t care.

  8. ashira

    awesome!!

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