flying with my bike (on Easyjet)

I am a fairly experienced traveller with a bike - but recently I came upon a problem when trying to fly with easyjet, and they refused me travelling because I dod not have an 'official' bike bag/box.

I am going to be flying again in the next fortnight - but because I am touring do not want to take a proper bike bag/box, nor ideally a cardboard bicycle box I can destroy on arrival - I want to be able to cycle to the airport for starters!

You used to be able to get large polythene bags from some airlines for putting bikes into - but I have not been able to get any of these lately. Does anyone have any ideas where I could get such a polythene sack from in the UK.

Thanks

calum

Easyjet says
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>The bicycle must be packaged in a bicycle box or bag<hr></blockquote>
I have always found they accepted my bike in a clear plastic bag. In fact the first time I put my bike in such a bag it was because Easyjet required me purchase one, and I've been using them ever since. British Airways have given me such plastic bags. At Heathrow and Gatwick large plastic bags can be purchased from small freight companies such as "The Excess Baggage Company", they are identical to the BA bag eJ made me use. Equivalently, you can buy polythene sheeting at garden centres, etc, and stick it up, with parcel tape, easier than trying to wheel your bike into a bag, and it is essentially the same stuff.

Good to know I can still get one. I have only once had the problem with easyjet - but once was enough believe me!! It was bubble wrapped, wheels off, bars turned in, and wrapped in polythene and parcel taped. And still absolutely and down right refused!!

Bike bags can be had from the CTC shop - here

Thank you for that link - I had no idea. Now ordered. Your assistance is much appreciated :-)

would i be correct in thinking you were flying out of stansted,ive had problems there thinking it was easy jet but its not them as they dont exist there!its swissport who are the pain,they handle the baggage and check in.never had problems on return flights.so now if flying out of stansted i try to use ryanair they are much better and they handle thier own baggage and check in.

In 2004 a couple in the queue behind us were refused travel even though their bikes were in those giant polybags. But that was Liverpool airport in 2004, I admit. The rules change every 10 minutes as far as I can tell.

Where are you going, and are you flying back from the same place? It may be possible to store your box?

s.

Often its not the rules that change, its the staff - each with their own ideas (prejudices).

I agree with Simon - it is the staff. But there was no way to prove to easyjet later, when raising the issue, that I had more than complied with their requirements.

My problem flight was in fact from Glasgow. this time I'll be departing from Gatwick. Sadly as it is not a round trip tour, the bike box option is not available to me. I have ordered a bag from the CTC. Fingers crossed!!