Does anyone have experience traveling with a unicycle on an airplane? What’s
the easiest way to take it? (I’m going to Rapid City for the IJA Fest)
Thanks in advance.
Re: airplane travel
David Critchfield <djuggler@interserf.net> wrote:
> Does anyone have experience traveling with a unicycle on an airplane?
> What’s the easiest way to take it? (I’m going to Rapid City for the IJA
> Fest) Thanks in advance.
Inside a large duffle bag! If the bag is large enough, the cycle can remain
fully assembled and ready to ride. A wide (two inch) shoulder strap will make it
very easy to and from the airport.
The bag can also be used to carry the unicycle any place where riding would not
be convenient or permitted.
Although airline check-in bags are stowed in a pressured hull, the pressure may
be significantly lower than sea level pressure, so be sure the tire is not
overinflated before going to the airport.
Sincerely,
Ken Fuchs <kfuchs@winternet.com
Re: airplane travel
David Critchfield <djuggler@interserf.net> wrote:
> Does anyone have experience traveling with a unicycle on an airplane?
> What’s the easiest way to take it? (I’m going to Rapid City for the IJA
> Fest) Thanks in advance.
>
I’ve been traveling with my unicycle all over the world. The easiest way, and
that’s what I’ve ben doing for years, is to do nothing at all. I don’t bother
deflating either, and I never had a problem. It’s only when I take a few
unicycles do I pput them in a box. In Japan they sell real cool bags esp.
designed for unicyles. Anybody want some?
Stay on top, Jack Halpern, IUF Vice President
Re: airplane travel
>> Does anyone have experience traveling with a unicycle on an airplane?
>> What’s the easiest way to take it? (I’m going to Rapid City for the IJA
>> Fest) Thanks in advance.
Many people wrote in with good advice. As a world traveling unicyclist I thought
I’d throw in my own experiences.
In general, as Andy Cotter said, most airlines do not like bicycles! They are
concerned about damage to fragile wheels and frames, and will often try to
charge you about $40 extra to bring it. On top of that, they will make you sign
a waiver of liability, which essentially says they are not responsible for
crushing it!
For this reason, it’s prudent to try and pack your uni(s) so they are protected,
and so they don’t look like wheels. When traveling to unicycle conventions by
air, I usually bring a minimum of 3 unicycles. I fondly remember the days when
one was enough! I have a 20" freestyle unicycle, a 24" regular racing and
“beater” unicycle, and a 24" racing unicycle with skinny tire.
I take the forks off the wheels and pedals off the cranks. This makes the
unicycles shorter and less prone to bending. I wrap them all in a thick blanket,
then put them in a 36" x 60" duffel bag. This duffel bag goes inside another
older duffel bag, which has lots of wear and tear and holes in it. The bags came
from an army surplus store.
I took a camper’s foam pad and cut it into approx. 24" squares. They weigh
nothing, but protect the pieces from scratching each other inside the bag. Then
I throw “a few” extras into the bag: shoes, kneepads, gloves, helmet, tools,
and always a pump! This makes for a bag that is unpleasant to carry around, to
put it nicely.
Like Andy said, when at the airport, never use the word “cycle” in any context!
It is props, or performing equipment, or sports equipment. None of these are
lies. In dozens of flights I have not had to pay a surcharge yet, though I have
had to sign the release of liability on several occasions.
If you are lucky you don’t have to bring more than one unicycle and one wrench.
My old roomate Greg Milstein once brought his fully assembled unicycle (sans
pedals) on the plane as carry-on. He was part of a large performing group on a
relatively small plane, and tells me they let him ride it up & down the aisle!
Stay on Top! John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone World Unicycling Traveler
unicycle@aol.com or unifoss@pipeline.com
Re: airplane travel
<mendelso@students.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>hello. i sent the following to you awhile ago and didn’t get a reply. is it
>still possible to get more information? thanks -r
>
>On Fri, 05 Apr 1996 22:19:19 +0900, you wrote:
>
>
>>I’ve been traveling with my unicycle all over the world. The easiest way, and
>>that’s what I’ve ben doing for years, is to do nothing at all. I don’t
>>bother deflating either, and I never had a problem.
>
>do you check it as luggage or just carry it on? do you put it in a bag?
>
>>In Japan they sell real cool bags esp. designed for unicyles. Anybody
>>want some?
>
>i’d be interested. how does one go about getting more information? thanks a
>bunch. -ruth
I am very very sorry to have kept everyone waiting. You won’t belive me when I
tell yout that I’m, in full crisis mode, as I 've said thios before, but it’s
true. I have two dictionaries to complete, and I’m beyond schedule.
Anyway, JUA is not very enthusiastic about selling these bags. They are not
experienced with export and don’T want to deal with international money
transfers. I will bring a whole bunch of these bags to sell at Univon 8.
Will everyone whio want one please let me know asap so that I know how many to
bring. I’m sorry that these bags are not easily obtainable,
Stay on top, Jack Halpern, IUF Vice President