Delta Cargo

[pmac]

Has anybody ever used Delta Cargo shipping to ship a bike?  If so, how did the cost compare to shipping by Fedex?

[staehpj1]

Has anybody ever used Delta Cargo shipping to ship a bike?  If so, how did the cost compare to shipping by Fedex?

I personally wouldn't consider Delta because of their generally bike unfriendly baggage policies.  Southwest is way more bike friendly so I'd be inclined to look into Southwest Cargo if going the airline cargo route.  Delta does not deserve to be rewarded with cyclist's business.

If you are going the same place as the bike, I'd just pick a bike friendly airline and take it as checked baggage (that would definitely NOT be Delta).  I have often flown with my bike on more bike friendly airlines and used FedEx or UPS when going the cargo route.

Amtrak Express Shipping might be another option.  I have not used them though so can't speak first hand on how well they do.

[John Nelson]

I've never used Delta Cargo, but FedEx and UPS both have on-line calculators that allow you to determine exactly what it will cost (and I've used both). The price on both of those carriers is sensitive to size more than weight. Rates also depend on the origin and destination zip codes, how much insurance you want, whether you want home pickup and delivery, whether the delivery is to a business or home address, etc. I've spent a lot of time playing around with the calculator to see where the price jumps are. I wanted to use the largest box I could without incurring a steep penalty.

If Delta Cargo doesn't have an on-line way to determine cost (and I don't see one), then I'd steer clear. I also agree with Pete that I don't want to give a bike-unfriendly airline my business.

I assume you're talking about sending your bike on a flight that you will not be on.

[pmac]

Thanks for advice.  I've used fedex several times to ship a bike, but thought I would ask to see if anybody used Delta's service and how it compared pricewise.  Yes, it would be for a separate flight.  Unfortunately, Southwest is pulling out of my local market, so SW will no longer an option for me in a couple of months.

[staehpj1]

Unfortunately, Southwest is pulling out of my local market, so SW will no longer an option for me in a couple of months.

Too bad.  Still, when I last looked into airlines for flying with a bike Delta was the worst, so there is probably still a better choice in your local market than them.