 Air France, and how they care about your bike |
Dahon Global(Change location)
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 Dec 7 2007, 01:05 AM
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#1
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Advanced Member  Group: Members Posts: 365 Joined: 13-September 06 From: Often @ home, sometimes @ work ... Member No.: 3,253 Country: Belgium  |
Attached a pic of my derailleur hanger after its trip from China to Europe. This can happen, but I paid 80 euros simply because there was a bike in the box (it was not because the box was a tiny bit oversized), so I expect extra care for the bike. The bikes I did not pay for (other airlines) arrived in good condition.
Anyway, in case it happens anyway, despite their extra (?) care, I would expect them to pay for the damage, but all I got was... silence. Not even an answer to my e-mails. An extra fee because there's a bike in your luggage is unfair, but not getting any extra care/ insurance/ service either is close to theft. Wim PS.: the bike has been to the bike doctor and is in good health now.
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Dec 7 2007, 07:58 AM
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#2
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 1,042 Joined: 5-August 07 From: Brooklyn Member No.: 6,278 Country: U.S.A. |
QUOTE (wim @ Dec 7 2007, 04:05 AM)  all I got was... silence. I suppose they were wondering what's the problem? It's been so long since I flew with a bike, but I think I used to unscrew the derailleur from its mount and string-tie it to the frame. Luggage handlers could damage a granite cobblestone. |
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Dec 7 2007, 08:09 AM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 365 Joined: 13-September 06 From: Often @ home, sometimes @ work ... Member No.: 3,253 Country: Belgium |
QUOTE (paulb @ Dec 7 2007, 11:58 PM) It's been so long since I flew with a bike, but I think I used to unscrew the derailleur from its mount and string-tie it to the frame. Luggage handlers could damage a granite cobblestone. It was packed in an original box with all original plastic stuff to keep the bike in place. If there's a next time, I'll certainly follow your advice. "Luggage handlers could damage a granite cobblestone." :-) |
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Dec 7 2007, 08:52 AM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,948 Joined: 24-September 04 From: Highlands, Scotland Member No.: 350 Country: Scotland |
If I was shipping a bike around regularly, it wouldn't have a derailleur. They are crude but fragile devices that belong only on race bikes IMHO (IMG:http://www.dahon.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Fortunately hub gears seem to be having a bit of a resurgence.
Good to see you have it fixed. |
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Dec 8 2007, 06:20 AM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 1,176 Joined: 10-April 07 Member No.: 5,276 Country: Tunisia |
QUOTE (datako @ Dec 7 2007, 08:52 AM) If I was shipping a bike around regularly, it wouldn't have a derailleur. They are crude but fragile devices that belong only on race bikes IMHO (IMG:http://www.dahon.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Fortunately hub gears seem to be having a bit of a resurgence. Good to see you have it fixed. I'm beginning to come round to that opinion too after realising that the three speed hub on the folder I use right now is perfectly adequate. You don't really need so many gears, and yes when I was a kid in the 60s, all our bikes were just Sturmey Archer three speed and we didn't know of any other but racing bikes were seen as exotic.... |
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Dec 8 2007, 09:50 PM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 80 Joined: 12-October 06 Member No.: 3,596 Country: Spain |
QUOTE (wim @ Dec 7 2007, 01:05 AM) Attached a pic of my derailleur hanger after its trip from China to Europe. This can happen, but I paid 80 euros simply because there was a bike in the box (it was not because the box was a tiny bit oversized), so I expect extra care for the bike. The bikes I did not pay for (other airlines) arrived in good condition. Anyway, in case it happens anyway, despite their extra (?) care, I would expect them to pay for the damage, but all I got was... silence. Not even an answer to my e-mails. An extra fee because there's a bike in your luggage is unfair, but not getting any extra care/ insurance/ service either is close to theft. Wim PS.: the bike has been to the bike doctor and is in good health now. I sometimes wonder if the airlines have any control over the baggage handlers? Whatever is checked in appears to be in the lap of the Gods to arrive safely and undamaged! The way luggage is thrown haphazardly onto the carousel, is enough indication to beware of damage. I wonder if the handlers enjoy their work or just take out their spite on people's luggage? Rooster |
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Dec 9 2007, 06:51 AM
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#7
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,948 Joined: 24-September 04 From: Highlands, Scotland Member No.: 350 Country: Scotland |
QUOTE (Rooster @ Dec 9 2007, 05:50 AM) ...I wonder if the handlers enjoy their work or just take out their spite on people's luggage?.. It's just a box to them and they are under pressure to get the job done as quickly as possible. Derailleurs are too delicate for a bike that is going to be transported around IMHO. Mind you I also consider them to be a crude bodge up, albeit beautifully executed, so maybe my opinion is a wee bit biased. |
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Dec 19 2007, 10:49 AM
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#8
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 19-May 07 Member No.: 5,589 Country: France |
hello, perharps it s a mistake i think that some companies do not overcharge extra luggage when it deals with sports, i think that we should not clearly say it s a bike, i don t know, it seems that it s quite different in several companies so ...
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Dec 20 2007, 01:23 AM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 101 Joined: 21-December 05 Member No.: 1,446 Country: United Kingdom |
QUOTE (Rooster @ Dec 9 2007, 03:50 PM) I sometimes wonder if the airlines have any control over the baggage handlers? Basically no. Most airlines at virtually any airport use the same baggage handlers. |
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Jan 1 2008, 07:38 PM
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: 18-December 07 From: Dutchess County, NY Member No.: 7,099 Country: U.S.A. |
Is the box you are referring to the original Dahon cardboard box the bikes come in? If so, I think Dahon needs to redesign the basic restraints and cushion they use. Someday I will write up my experience with two severely damaged bikes I received.
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Jan 2 2008, 04:26 AM
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#11
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 365 Joined: 13-September 06 From: Often @ home, sometimes @ work ... Member No.: 3,253 Country: Belgium |
QUOTE (Fibber @ Jan 2 2008, 11:38 AM) Is the box you are referring to the original Dahon cardboard box the bikes come in? If so, I think Dahon needs to redesign the basic restraints and cushion they use. Someday I will write up my experience with two severely damaged bikes I received. Yes. An original box. Might not be the best around, I agree, but the point I tried to make is that Air France charges you for sending a bike, but does not give anything in return: not service, nor insurance. Cheers, Wim |
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