Richie Cross Posted October 26, 2011 Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Buongiorno This is more of a notice rather than a thread. I think it may have been mentioned and lost amongst pages of another thread so I've tried to make this stand out more/act as a reminder. Just advice for those flying with BA from Glasgow to Bologna to give BA a call on 0844 493 0787 and let them know you're taking a bike with you. I wasn't allowed to do it for any others that I know are on the same flight. BA need notice to tell the commercial cargo carriers not to book on too much stuff if a few bikes are going. Think it's more of a problem from Gatwick to Bologna as it's a smaller plane. Grazie Ciao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Life Members chung Posted October 26, 2011 Life Members Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Ritchie, Thanks for the info. When do you recommend that we give BA a call? A week in advance? or just the day before? Any suggestion welcome. Cheers Chung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 I would say as soon as you can. A note etc is attached to your name and flight. I wouldn't leave it too late and give others time to get something big in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EPCC Posted October 26, 2011 Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Do it now you also need size of case and weight of bike just did it today the girl recommends booking right now as they will not take a lot of bikes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Life Members chung Posted October 26, 2011 Life Members Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Billy, What's the dimension of your bike box and the total weight including bike of course? I will have to just use your as a reference as I don't have a bike box yet. Cheers Chung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 26, 2011 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Hmm Just rang them and got the run around. Seems not all of the staff think you need to book. Can I ask Ritchie or Billy which option (1, 2, 3 or wait) you took after you rang the number? D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Darryl - I just waited and spoke to Janine who said definitely and made notes etc there and then. Chung - ref dimensions. BA allow 190cm x 75 x 65 When I flew to the Pyrenees in June, my padded bike bag only has the dimensions of 135 x 95 x 20 so I think bags should be fine. Even one of the hard shell bike cases I looked at only come in at 111 x 94 x 30. As well as my padded bag, I also have an unpadded bag (thick, heavy duty canvas type) and a bike box...which is just really two halves of a few mm's of plastic and a bit more awkward to carry. The unpadded bag and box have both been on planes before without incident. * * disclaimer....should anyone borrow either of these, I won't be held responsible if there is an incident! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 26, 2011 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Thanks Ritchie I'll try tomorrow. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EPCC Posted October 26, 2011 Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Chung I was looking at a web site so used there dimensions I made the point that it is not stated on the web site that I had to book it however she asked for the dimensions of the bag 1400 x 700 x 250 weight of bag 5kg bike and wheels I guessed at 5 kg total weight 23 which is the max The ba person was not helpful and claimed you have to book sports equipment as stated on the web page where I don't know I asked about numbers and she said that if 16 were going we would have to travel on separate flights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Sounds like it luck who you speak to! From BA's website: There is no additional allowance for sporting equipment, but it can be carried free of charge as part of your free checked baggage allowance. If the total number of bags is more than your free checked allowance, you will need to pay extra bag charges. We will accept non-motorised bicycles of all dimensions provided they are packed in a recognised bicycle bag. bicycle pedals must be removed (or fixed inwards) handlebars must be fixed sideways the bicycle must be contained in a protective case or bag you may wish to deflate the tyres to reduce risk of damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark O Posted October 26, 2011 Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Guys, I had already raised this issue when I booked over the phone. The concern was the turnaround time at Gatwick being relatively short which prompted the question. The advice I got was for everyone either by phone or on the website to amend their booking to indicate sports equipment e.g. bike in box, jiffy bag cotton wool etc. The idea was that this allowed the ground crew people at Gatwick to have sufficient manpower available for the flight in from Glasgow to physically transfer the baggage. No doubt there will be questions regards the plane's hold capacity but that's beyond our control and not something we should get our bibs in a twist about. I'd suggest we all amend our booking details accordingly then we can at least be justifiably outraged and all petted lipped when it all goes to pot at baggage reclaim in Italyland. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted October 26, 2011 Committee Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Can I bring my Brompton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Guys, I had already raised this issue when I booked over the phone. The concern was the turnaround time at Gatwick being relatively short which prompted the question. The advice I got was for everyone either by phone or on the website to amend their booking to indicate sports equipment e.g. bike in box, jiffy bag cotton wool etc. The idea was that this allowed the ground crew people at Gatwick to have sufficient manpower available for the flight in from Glasgow to physically transfer the baggage. No doubt there will be questions regards the plane's hold capacity but that's beyond our control and not something we should get our bibs in a twist about. I'd suggest we all amend our booking details accordingly then we can at least be justifiably outraged and all petted lipped when it all goes to pot at baggage reclaim in Italyland. Mark Seems to be we're all getting told different things depending on what member of staff you speak to. The lady I spoke to said it was the hold capacity and if we were in first Smith and Jones Menswear etc wouldn't get their boxes of Y fronts on etc. I've had a look at 'Manage my booking' and can't find anywhere to mention sporting equipment, only extra bags etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 27, 2011 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Talked to 'Michelle' who has now noted the bike bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Life Members chung Posted October 28, 2011 Life Members Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Called BA and spoke to James (Very nice guy) confirmed taking bike box on flights. Chung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Hello chaps! A little update for you regarding our bikes and BA. I've been working at Glasgow airport the last couple of days so spoke to one of the BA girls I know. She checked my flight details and said the info regarding the bike was correct whereas some of us just a note attached. Anyway....she went through ALL 14 of us and there is now the correct info regarding taking a bike and this is good for all flights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark O Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Gold star, Richardo, gold star. Your next mission should you wish to accept it is to secure upgrades to first class for one and all and have the red carpet laid out at Gatwick together with VIP lounge access and backstage passes......am I asking too much? Mark o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions gregbalden Posted November 16, 2011 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 *many sweary words of joy* thanks very much richie :D Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted November 16, 2011 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Life Members chung Posted November 16, 2011 Life Members Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Well done, Ritchie, Its amazing what your charm and politeness can do for your........or was it the machine gun strapped to your chest that did it. Either way.......good work, mate! Cheers Chung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted November 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 No worries. Mark....funnily enough, she could only upgrade 13 of us and your name was last out the hat! Chung...my opening line of 'GET DOWN ON THE GROUND AND PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM' seemed to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Thanks, Richie. I had not phoned them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted November 16, 2011 Members Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Richie, will you be touring the hotel bedrooms and tucking us all in at night, too? Thanks to you and the nice BA lady for sorting that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hi folks, I know I've sent a PM recently....bad planning What I should've done was this.... It appears that on the Wed, all 7 Joansin are leaving on: BA2953 Dep GLA 0545 - Arr GAT 0715 then BA2560 Dep GAT 0915 - Arr BOL 1220 On Thurs, 6 of us are on BA2957 Dep GLA 1000 - Arr GAT 1125 while Paul McD is on BA2961 Dep GLA 1320 - Arr GAT about 1445? then all 7 of us are on BA2562 Dep GAT 1540 - Arr BOL 1835 On the Mon 21st return At least 11 of us are on BA2561 Dep BOL 1305 - Arr GAT 1415 Alan and Duncan are on BA2563 Dep BOL 1840 - Arr GAT 1950 Paul McD is on BA0541 Dep BOL 1335 - Arr HEA 1445 On the last leg home, we're either on BA2963 Dep GAT BA2964 Dep GAT 1715 - Arr GLA 1840 BA2968 Dep GAT 2115 - Arr GLA 2235 Meanwhile Paul McD, the lonewolf, is going it alone from Heathrow BA1488 Dep HEA 1625 - Arr GLA 1750 Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions Tom Hill Posted February 20, 2012 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Richie My flight details have been changed to BA2593 0545, BA2560 0915 BA2561 1305, BA2964 1715 I guess Mark's will be the same? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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