Checking a wheel on a flight

[Petorius]

I'm in TX for work, a guy here is selling a complete wheel for cheap but wont ship. I don't know that I will have time to ship it myself, so I'm thinking about checking it on my flight home. Anyone have any experience with checking awkward stuff on planes? I've watched how the handlers treat bags; not sure this is really a great idea.

[Honclfibr]

It's a solid chunk of metal. Pretty sure it'll be just fine.

[Falko]

just be careful with rotors, should they be installed

[Paul_E_D]

I've checked a motor on a flight...

[GixerJockey]

just be careful with rotors, should they be installed

On what? The wheel?


I think they'd be much better off removed, and sandwiched in between clothing in his suitcase.

[Petorius]

I've checked a motor on a flight...

9 out of 10 times its an electric razor...

[Paul_E_D]

A 125 GP motor give a hell of a ... shave!

[carsick]

9 out of 10 times its an electric razor...

But sometimes it's a GP motor, and you have to refer to it as "a" GP motor, not "your" GP motor, lest people be offended. I'm fairly sure Paul would have been using it for medical reasons, not personal pleasure.

[Falko]

On what? The wheel?


I think they'd be much better off removed, and sandwiched in between clothing in his suitcase.

It wasn't a question of if they should be installed, it was a statement of IF they were installed, be careful with them I would assume since he's travelling he probably doesn't have a tool set to remove them, but I could be wrong. Sorry for the confusion.

[breakdirt916]

do it!!!

things to note:

1.) Jetblue - one checked bag FREE

2.) southwest - TWO checked bags FREE

and weight is a concern - they usually have a 50lb limit...so get the lightest bag you can find that's big enough, wrap the wheel the shit up with bubble wrap and packing tape, and bring it home...

[Petorius]

It wasn't a question of if they should be installed, it was a statement of IF they were installed, be careful with them I would assume since he's travelling he probably doesn't have a tool set to remove them, but I could be wrong. Sorry for the confusion.

Hmm good call. I have 0 tools. Maybe I'll ask the seller to help.

[Petorius]

do it!!!

things to note:

1.) Jetblue - one checked bag FREE

2.) southwest - TWO checked bags FREE

and weight is a concern - they usually have a 50lb limit...so get the lightest bag you can find that's big enough, wrap the wheel the shit up with bubble wrap and packing tape, and bring it home...

Platinum on American - Looks like I can check it for free (I never check bags). And you are right about the 50 lb limit, I wonder what a wheel weighs? Wheel and flat tire?

[Paul_E_D]

Should be less than 50 pounds.

[-Dutch-]

do it!!!

things to note:

1.) Jetblue - one checked bag FREE

2.) southwest - TWO checked bags FREE

and weight is a concern - they usually have a 50lb limit...so get the lightest bag you can find that's big enough, wrap the wheel the shit up with bubble wrap and packing tape, and bring it home...

I've checked items just wrapped in cardboard before, no bag needed. They didn't have an issue with it other than weighing it first.

[stoinkythepig]

I once checked a pair of cast iron exhaust manifolds for a big block Chrysler. Bike wheel should be really easy. I imagine you could fit it in a suitcase pretty easily. Use dirty laundry as bubble wrap.

[Petorius]

Still havent been able to coordinate with the seller, I told him I would need it sans tire in order to fit it in an 18 x 18 box. Sounds like he is having trouble getting the tire off, and i dont really have time to figure it out myself. Last we talked he was going to try using a C clamp to break the bead, any other suggestions? No idea what he has for tools.

[backinthesaddle]

A friend brought a Dresda frame and swingarm back from England. He must have looked like a total goof walking up to the counter with the frame in his hand.

[butcher bergs]

C clamp for a street wheel?

Yikes!

[Expat]

No problem, I flew trans Atlantic with an Aprilia swing arm covered in grease!
They wont give you any crap if you are platinum!

[carsick]

a C clamp to break the bead, any other suggestions? No idea what he has for tools.

Utility knife, just slice the sidewalls circumferentially and leave the beads there until you have the right tools.

[repete513]

A few things.
-if possible use a box not a bag. A bag will allow the weight of other peoples crap to be put on your wheels.
-Bubble wrap sucks. Its only good for one hit then it pops. Use packing paper from u haul or home depot and make bumpers out of two messed up sheets rolled up in a 3rd sheet like a burrito. Do a layer of bumpers on the bottom, in between the wheels and on top until the box is full. This might be a bit over kill but I'm a mover and its how I would pack it....and how I pack people's China.

[Petorius]

I decided to have the guy leave the tire on, so that will be most of my bumper protection. I filled the inner areas with some borrowed items from the hotel and a ton of bubble wrap. Also lots of protection on the rotor, which we could not remove due to stripped bolts. Then I taped the whole thing up, and will try to check as is, no box or bag. Hopefully they dont give me too much a crap about it.

[Falko]

No offense, Pete, but all that work and you couldn't get to a post office?

[repete513]

No offense, Pete, but all that work and you couldn't get to a post office?

Touche.

[Petorius]

All that work was done after 8pm and cost $7 in bubble wrap. My work situation is not particularly accomodating to day-time errands.