: We have used two solutions very frequently. If you're returning from a
: different airport, find a local bike shop before you leave (on internet),
: phone them and arrange to collect an empty box or boxes on the day before
: you fly back. They are always happy to oblige because it saves them
: disposal hassle. You should also find out where the post office is to buy
: parcel tape etc. It's also useful to forward book a hotel near the airport
: for your last night and arrange to arrive the day before so that you can
: collect boxes and other bits and pieces. The hotel makes a good base to
: dismantle and box things up.

: If you're returning from the same airport, stay your first night at a nearby
: hotel and arrange to leave your boxes with them, having booked your last
: night at the same hotel. The hotel will usually have a shuttle bus that
: will take your boxes to the airport.

Cunning plans indeed, thank you very much.

Our tandem is fitted with S&S couplings and with a bit of patience it will fit into one box but does take time. To achieve this we need a larger bike box. Boxes vary with different lengths, widths, height and quality. We normally have to wait a few days to get a box which is big enough
If you need two boxes then smaller boxes are probably better with one that fits inside the other if you are leaving them at a hotel.

I have used the strategies suggested except that more notice to the bike shop may be worthwhile, particularly if the shop is small with only a small throughput of new bikes. It is not good if you phone up the day after all the bike boxes have been recycled!
Not a bad idea to do a trial pack before you pack up to go to be familiar with potenial problems that may arise.
Pipe insulation and bubble wrap as well as spare cardboard (from another bike box) and a sharp blade to cut to size make it easier on the day.

Leave the box as it comes. Do not cover up "This Way Up" signs. Bikes in boxes seem to get more care than other luggage.

Duncan

: We flew to Bergerac from Leeds then got a train to Bordeaux to start our
: coast to coast to Montpelier. We also have flown a further several times
: with our tandem with no problem. It is a Orbit tandem and does not have
: couplings therefore more involved than a tandem with couplings so in
: theory you should have no problem on a plane. We have to dismantle the
: tandem to a fair degree as it has to be more compact for baggage handlers.
: It is pipe lagged, bubbled wrapped then taped and we expose front saddle
: which is arrowed with red tape for the baggage handlers. It is a good safe
: balancing point lifted in that manner the bike is safe to carry. Whole
: process which I have not detailed takes about one and half hours. We left
: wrappings at the hotel for them to dispose off as we obviously could not
: take this with uson a journey of apprx427 miles. Two weeks later we went
: nearest B&Q equivalant which is Bricolage or Brico and bought the same
: packaging for return. 2x10 metre rolls of bubble wrap, pipe lagging and a
: role of gaffa tape.
: You will find lots of Bricolage's generally open seven days of the week as in
: France Sundays and Mondays can be problem as shops including bike shops
: close usually on these days?
: We have never had a problem with the bike still perfectly in tact in fact
: they seem to handle the package more carefully when they know it is a bike
: as we have seen them throw bike boxes on with the luggage.
: we have repeated this several times when flying to France and Majorca and
: will be doing the same in September if we go to Germany
: to cycle the Danube.
: As one of the replies suggested if you are staying at the same place leave
: packaging in the luggage room. We have just done the Riveria we to Nice
: left packaging at airport hotel then got train to Toulon and cycled back
: along Riveria and back to Nice and stayed at same hotel and our packaging
: all ready for us!

Many thanks

: You will find lots of Bricolage's generally open seven days of the week as in
: France Sundays and Mondays can be problem as shops including bike shops
: close usually on these days?

Sorry to disagree, but Bricos are not usually open on Sundays. Even in large cities like Bordeaux, Leroy Merlin (one of the largest chains) is not open on Sunday.

Some supermarkets / hypermarkets open Sunday morning only, but not all.

As for Mondays - the banks are closed all day, but bike shops and normal shops usually open, if not a bit late in opening (10:30 here in the Haute Vienne).