Can you take a chain (and lock) on a plane?

[KTMsm]

I've seen a bike I want - in Scotland

£40 to fly up there but I'd like to take the scenic route back which will mean at least one overnight - I'd be happier if I could chain it up rather than rely on a disc lock

I've googled and suppose it could fall under the definition of a weapon - has anyone had any experience ?

If it is down to the security at the airport am I right in thinking that you can't collect it later - it just goes in a bin ?

[steveo3002]

very much doubt it ...cant you call in a halfords and buy one?

[jfdi]

I once asked the question in airport security if I could put my bicycle D lock, which I had in my hold luggage at the time, in my hand luggage to save on the weight in the hold luggage.
The reply after discussion with his colleagues was "Not sure".
Useful, if they don't know what's allowed or not, how the hell are we meant to know.
I took that reply as it'll probably depend on the mood of the security officer at the time, so have never bothered to risk trying it.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Or post it on ahead of yourself?

[Triaguar]

The TSA (transport security administration) which is the American arbiter of airline security absolutely allows such chains. I would have thought they are also the standard setter for high end international standards. Caveat, one cannot advise correctly where human levels of discretion are allowed. If it was me I would compare price of checking baggage versus buying one when I get there

[LuS1fer]

I went to America once and they wouldn't allow something innocuous, I think it was a small bottle of power steering fluid or something, as it "could be used as a weapon". This was pre fluid ban days.

Personally, I would not be happy with someone having a chain on board, given it has to be a hefty chain, these days, to dissuade thieves from stealing your bike so I doubt an airline would let you.

Yes, I think it's a hold baggage or bin it scenario, the former at significant cost. Maybe you could disguise it as a pushchair...

[Jules Sunley]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Or post it on ahead of yourself?

This is a great idea

[Hungrymc]

Jules Sunley said:

Tribal Chestnut said:

Or post it on ahead of yourself?

This is a great idea

Depending on how good quality (and heavy) it is, it may cost more than the flight :-)

[KTMsm]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Or post it on ahead of yourself?

A good idea - but - I bought a new one 2 days ago, which hasn't arrived yet

I could have sent it to him but it's Wed and I'll be flying up Mon and he works so would probably be out when they tried to deliver

Edit - I'm an idiot, I'll have to check a bag in the hold, I thought I'll wear my bike gear and take a change of clothes but they aren't going to let me wear my helmet and it won't fit in hand luggage

Maybe if I told them I was the Stig ?

[Martylaa]

For the cost of flying up and booking a hotel room overnight plus fuel, would it not be cheaper/easier to get a bike delivery service to collect and deliver to you?

[Stuart Fordyce]

Who are you flying with? I've taken my helmet onboard with EasyJet loads of times, Air France as well. Even on a wee Loganair it would fit under the seat.

[jamei303]

Does your airline not permits checked luggage?

[_Neal_]

KTMsm said:

Tribal Chestnut said:

Or post it on ahead of yourself?

A good idea - but - I bought a new one 2 days ago, which hasn't arrived yet

I could have sent it to him but it's Wed and I'll be flying up Mon and he works so would probably be out when they tried to deliver

Edit - I'm an idiot, I'll have to check a bag in the hold, I thought I'll wear my bike gear and take a change of clothes but they aren't going to let me wear my helmet and it won't fit in hand luggage

Maybe if I told them I was the Stig ?

Not sure I'd want to put a helmet in hold luggage anyway as it gets chucked around. I say just carry it on.

[croyde]

Take the train. With all the faff of getting to the airport hours before the flight I tend to find the train quicker and a lot less stress than flying, especially with checked baggage.

Of course, it can be a lot more expensive though.

[talksthetorque]

Can you wrap it round your wrist and through your hand luggage " For Security purposes"
Like they do with Briefcases on the films?

[KTMsm]

Stuart Fordyce said:

Who are you flying with? I've taken my helmet onboard with EasyJet loads of times

It's Easyjet - their site is acting up so I haven't booked it yet but hand luggage is max 20cm and my helmet is min 26cm

They do a £11 extra hand luggage which is 25cm so I thought that might be ok as I'll be well within the other sizes

Hold is £34 and I'd rather not mess around with that

[KTMsm]

Martylaa said:

For the cost of flying up and booking a hotel room overnight plus fuel, would it not be cheaper/easier to get a bike delivery service to collect and deliver to you?

Yes but I'm looking at it as a mini adventure - weather looks ok, haven't ridden up north - I'm looking forward to it

[Pica-Pica]

croyde said:

Take the train. With all the faff of getting to the airport hours before the flight I tend to find the train quicker and a lot less stress than flying, especially with checked baggage.

Of course, it can be a lot more expensive though.

Half-price now.

[abzmike]

Wear it as a belt?

[croyde]

KTMsm said:

Martylaa said:

For the cost of flying up and booking a hotel room overnight plus fuel, would it not be cheaper/easier to get a bike delivery service to collect and deliver to you?

Yes but I'm looking at it as a mini adventure - weather looks ok, haven't ridden up north - I'm looking forward to it

I did the mini adventure a few years ago. Bought a big Yank off a fella in a town near Inverness.

Flew up to Aberdeen then got a train. Had a couple of days driving around the Highlands before getting the big V8 back to London.

Middle of summer. It was cold and permanently raining until I got south of the Lakes. Wonderful time was had though.

A really nice break.