[Yak] United Airlines New International Baggage Weight Limits

[Rich Sluys]

Yes, I would agree with you Alex, I just flew from San Diego to Vancouver,
BC with my BF Pocket Rocket. I packed it in the Samsonite Flite 31" case and
it weighed 49.5 lbs with the the folding rack a couple small bags, and a few
tools, the extra pump, the locking cable and helmet in the case, plus some
extra tubes and "things".  

I could have eliminated or redistributed but didn't and it made it, but
barely. 

On the return I moved everything around and the agent in Vancouver just
lifted one end, said, "oh, that's no problem its less than 50 lbs" and
didn't weigh it -- but you never know.

I guess what all this means is that if you take a bike with you now you
can't buy many souvenirs, maybe that is good thing, who knows?

Rich

-----Original Message-----
From: alex wetmore [mailto:alex at phred.org] 
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 1:24 PM
To: Rich Sluys
Cc: yak at bikefriday.com
Subject: Re: [Yak] United Airlines New International Baggage Weight Limits

On Wed, 14 Sep 2005, Rich Sluys wrote:
> So, with a Friday in one case (35-45 lbs) and then another bag not 
> exceeding 50 lbs you should be OK....but it does mean cutting way back 
> on souvenirs and all the "fun" stuff.

It is very easy to hit 50lbs with a Bike Friday in a case.  The case that
they are currently using (Samsonite FLite 31") weighs 13lbs empty.  The
older Oyster 29" weighs about the same.  This leaves you with 37lbs.  A NWT
usually runs in the 25-30lb range, leaving you around 10lbs for tools,
accessories, and packing materials.  I know that the NWT isn't the lightest
bike in their range by far, but it is probably the most popular.

I'd be very impressed to see a fully packed BF at the 35lb mark.

alex