Has anyone else had security unpack their BFs? I can't blame them for not knowing how to repack it---we all know that there is a steep learning curve to it.

Thanks for the warning. It might be a good idea to take a sheet with instruction on how to repack it, laminate it and put it in the CASE in CASE it happens again. In the meantime, talk to a lawyer. I think you've got a claim against the airline.

Tim Perrin

NOTE from Bike Friday Webmaster: I am posting this at the request of Dianne Spiller (diannes@idcomm.com)

-- I have to admit that I have not been able to keep up with reading the list since Sept. 11th; some of this might be redundant to what has been on the list. If so, I apologize in advance.

I took a job with FEMA 18 months ago; I am a Disaster Assistance Employee (DAE)---which means that I work intermittently when needed for a disaster---90% of FEMA employees are DAEs. I had always wanted an excuse to purchase a BF and this job was it! I purchased my NWT last Feb.---it has been a perfect addition to my job. Besides supplying me with my favorite activity when I am out of town, I have had a wonderful way to meet the locals when I am working a disaster.

FYI---we always fly for deployment to a disaster.

On Sept. 11th, I was in Houston (with BF) working the Allison disaster---now cycling in that HUMIDITY should be left for another discussion! The next Friday, another DAE and I drove back together to Denver where we both live (he did complain about lifting the BF into the trunk of our rental car!).

The first people who came to NY were,of course, those who lived within driving distance, and a lot of them arrived by that Tuesday evening. After arriving home, I notified my boss that I would be ready to go where/when I was most needed. Ten days ago she called and asked me if I could come to New York, and I said I could. I arrived last Tuesday; I can't even begin to tell you what it is like. Of course, if I ever needed my BF, it is now.

I have worked through since arriving because the people who came here at the beginning, really need some time off. Today was my first day off; I know that cycling is my way of taking care of myself so that I can help others when I need to. I wanted to use my day off to cycle, and revitalize myself, so I can go back to doing whatever I can to help tomorrow.

After breakfast, I sat down with my bike to assemble it and enjoy! I noticed that the lock on my CASE had popped and was surprised; I started to get a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I opened the CASE, I realized, right away, that the CASE had been opened by security (probably at DIA---a BF CASE is probably profiled today because it is so heavy). What I saw first was the tool complete with knife that comes with our BF---it was on top of my camelback---they of course had taken every thing out of the CASE, and didn't know how to repack it. The bike is ruined.

I had a personal meltdown---the Taliban has gotten to me too! Those *!@)!@*!!!!

Has anyone else had security unpack their BFs? I can't blame them for not knowing how to repack it---we all know that there is a steep learning curve to it.

Dianne

On September 11 my wife and I were in France with our new Bike Friday Tandem Traveler. When we returned to the US on the 27th security was very tight, but nobody questioned the two large Carlton CASEs. Upon arrival at San Diego neither CASE showed any signs of entry.

Kerry Kunsman San Diego, Ca '01 Tandem Traveler XL