1) Van Galder is now a part of Coach USA. I might be worth checking their parent company policies on folding bicycles. Be sure to ask for their FOLDING bicycle policy, not simply their bicycle policy.
2) Make sure that the bag you have it in does not say bicycle, have pictures/icons of bicycles on it, etc I have a Bike Friday that I mainly fly with, but I also I just took on the Amtrak ACELA high speed (in name only) train from Boston to NYC. The Bike Friday packs into a normal Samsonite suitcase. Airline maximum checked baggage size is a length + width + depth total of 62 inches. If it measures more than this it is oversize and subject to additional charges. Max weight is 50 lbs before being subject to overweight charges. I have never been asked what was in the heavy suitcase when I checked it, but is has often been opened by TSA after I have checked it. Unfortunately when flying I have to pay the checked bag fee, but at least it's only $15 - $25 instead the $75+ most airlines now charge for full sized boxed bikes, each way. 3) If asked what's in the bag, instead of lying and saying a tuba, you can honestly say something like sporting equipment. 4) I know that national advocacy groups like LAB and Bikecentennial/Adventure Cycling Assn have in the past worked with the airlines to address their fees for carrying bikes. It might be worth contacting them to see what advice they have or if they want to get involved, again since Van Galder is part of Coach USA nationally, and the Chicago to Madison Metro area they serve is fairly large. You might also contact BFW and Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (they recently changed their name to Active Transportation Alliance). Arthur
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