As I needed to travel to Rhode Island last week (as opposed to Arizona), I finally had an excuse to test Clarice’s travel-friendliness as we navigated through three distinct airports.
I do not yet own the suitcase specifically meant to protect a Brompton bicycle; therefore, I decided to try my luck by taking her as a carry-on.
The easy-wheels in the rear helped me to pull her around the airport in “cart mode,” although I did wish that she had all four easy-wheels that come with the rear-rack option, instead of just two I decided upon.
The greatest challenge would be to get her past the TSA folks at the security checkpoint, but we would never know without trying.
Luckily, the TSA folks (in all three cities) were very willing to try and fit her through the scanning gizmo.
With a little shimmy-ing…
… Clarice was successfully able to fit through all three of the scanners attempted at the Atlanta, Phoenix, and Providence airports.
I typically transferred her back into “cart mode” to wheel her to the gate, and then folded her back up again to put her cover on (stored in the saddle bag) prior to boarding the plane.
One of the convenient aspects of the Brompton cover is the fact that you can unzip it slightly to allow the saddle nose to protrude upwards.
The under-side of the Brompton saddle nose has finger ridges to allow you to comfortably lift the bicycle by the saddle.
On two of the three flights, I tried to fit her in the overhead bin. On both occasions, she just barely fit, but the bin door closed just fine. The flight attendants, too, were very willing to help make it work.
Most recently, on my way back to Atlanta, Delta gave me the option to gate-check the bicycle, and I accepted, only to see how it would work out. Contrary to Airtran‘s policies on gate-checking bicycles, Delta actually gate-checked it for free. Upon arriving at my destination, I noticed that the cover was a bit dusty, but overall, the bicycle survived.
The entire experience of lugging the bicycle through the airport caused a lot of “looks,” especially while folding/unfolding. As a Brompton owner (or future Brompton owner, if you are looking to purchase), until folding bicycles become more mainstream, you will have to get used to being somewhat of a spectacle wherever you go. The TSA folks in all of the cities encountered always got a kick out of the process, and even requested a demonstration. The TSA guards in Arizona actually encouraged me to ride to my gate (which I did). On another occasion in Atlanta, the train that connects the concourses was out of order. To save time and effort, I rode through multiple concourses (a distance equating to at least a mile, if not farther), beating my cohorts to the baggage claim.
All-in-all, traveling with the Brompton has its pros and cons, but at least I now know from first-hand experience that it is possible!
Smart … in many ways.
Indeed. As a frequent flier, I cannot think of a better bicycle to take with me.
Beautiful.
Grazie!
That’s awesome to know that the brompton will fit in its normal folded state into the overhead compartments! Although that doesn’t help so much with my idea of using two carry on bags for travel stuff in an effort to not check bags(international flights are a nightmare with checked baggage).
Since airlines began charging for checked bags, the volumes of checked luggage has gone down, and entire process has become rather efficient. By the time I reach baggage claim, my bags are on the carousel waiting for me. Therefore, even if I am not carrying the Brompton on board, I still opt to check my suitcase.
But, I agree. On international flights, if you can avoid checking bags, there’s nothing like it.
I’m surprised that TSA allowed you to take photos at the security checkpoint and that you haven’t gotten any issues with Delta airlines. Their luggage policy states that there is an extra $150 fee for bicycle and there is not exclusion for smaller bicycle that aren’t oversized. So I’m a little worried about doing that and chickened out ordered the bike suitcase. Would be great though if it runs that smoothly for me as well.
I, too, was surprised about TSA allowing me to take photos. I think the fact that they were so entertained by trying to fit a bicycle through the scanning apparatus made them let their guard down a bit.
I did not know that about the Delta policy… very interesting. If you do try to take your Brompton as a carry-on on a Delta flight, do let me know how that goes for you. For all I know, my experience may have been an exception to the rule!
pretty amazing! been traveling with bromptons on airlines but i have yet to try gate checking the bikes, check out my brompton travels here: http://johnbunoadventures.com/2012/02/24/cycle-tour-chronicles-siquijor/
Nice blog! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully I can pick up some tips from you as well
I think one factor to consider when traveling multi-modal with a bike, and especially when pushing the limits such as gate checking, is that the machine, regardless of how much use it has seen, be meticulously clean before presenting it, remembering to clean the tires as well: good educate, common sense, courtesy and self-respect. Though it may be thought of as a personal item, consider that you are sharing space with others.
Yes, there is something to be said about common courtesy. I am pretty good about that, and always put the cover on when leaving it with another party.
That’s awesome! I’d love to ride through an airport. I’m surprised (and encouraged) that security didn’t hassle you.
Nice work employing the disappearing bicycle trick, too!
Yes – I too was surprised at how nice the security folks were. They were mostly just awe-struck.
I like that term, the disappearing bicycle trick! The things we do to avoid paying bicycle transportation fees…
Thank you so much for the information. I live in the Phoenix area and I am just getting ready to purchase my first Brompton and the possibility of it being ‘carried on’ the airlines is yet another plus
Sure thing! Before you carry it on though, be sure to check whether the plane has overhead bins that are at least “3 rows deep” (3 seats should be under the row).
Also, if you’re in the Phoenix area, I’d highly recommend PortaPedal Bike for your Brompton purchase. They’ve been absolutely wonderful to me.
Thanks again, I will keep that in mind about overhead bin size. We did purchase two Bromptons from Donna and Al at Portapedal. They are great!
Very interesting but I don’t think you could do this in Europe. I had a very small cable lock confiscated by the security people at Helsinki since it might be used as a weapon. But we’ve had to live with terrorism since the 1970s.
Wow! But, somehow, I feel a cable lock is far more threatening as a weapon than a folding bicycle. I would make an attempt to at least check with the ticketing counter whether a gate check will be possible.
I don´t think so that all companies let us do it for me will be fantastic to do this and let me to travel with my brompton with me
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