Plane Panama to Columbia (Girag) - luggage

[Panny]

How about the luggage, when flying with Girag?
Have the panniers to be empty?
Is it possible to leave the bags on the bike?
Any other special things?

If taking the bags with you on your personal flights: any experiences?

greetings from Guatemala

Panny

[MikeS]

Don't know about Girag but when I flew mine, the bike with panniers/luggage were strapped to a pallet and cling wrapped.

[dzguy]

We left them full with no problem

[BlackBeast]

We flew with Girag this past December. Panniers were left on together with our dry bags. We locked our riding gear to the bike as well and then shrink wrapped everything to the bike. We just drained the gas, took off windshield and mirrors. Bikes were left in their holding area and Girag did the rest. Bikes arrived no problem in Bogota as promised. You get what you pay for - ease of bike transport.
Daryll

[Bennett]

Suggest cling wrapping,one bike on the flight to Bogota was missing a video camera from the tank bag on arrival.
Ben

[markharf]

Whoa....you left a video camera in a tankbag? I'm not sure cling wrap alone is the answer: I'd suggest always putting valuables in a carry-on, then not letting it out of sight. That means anything electronic, anything non-replaceable (journals, cash, plastic cards, passports, paper tickets) and anything needed for a comfortable stay if the baggage in question gets temporarily lost (warm jacket for Bogota, toiletries, medications).

Maybe that's just me....but I've had friends lose stuff like cameras out of checked baggage on planes throughout the world, including in North America and Europe. I try not to tempt baggage handlers with anything valuable, anywhere.

Mark

[BlackBeast]

I'm in agreement with Mark. I've just shrink wrapped 2 bikes to fly from Buenos Aires to Johannesburg and have removed all electronics from my tank bag and panniers. Not sure whether leaving a vid. camera in a tank bag was a smart idea.
Daryll

[markharf]

Hey Daryll, hope you enjoy Africa!

[BlackBeast]

Originally Posted by markharf

Hey Daryll, hope you enjoy Africa!

Can't wait. Hope things in N.Africa change by the time we get there.
Daryll

[Panny]

Thanx for the helpfull replies!