How I Travelled With Three Bikes in The Plain

Travelling by bike normally means a person takes one bike with them on a trip. I had a unique situation occur a little while ago I was going to the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show to introduce our folding bike lineup to the boating community. The Ft. Lauderdale show is the biggest powerboat show in the USA. So I booked my flight and hotel, sent bikes to the convention center location ( so I could unpack them upon arrival ). Everything seemed great however it was not going to be so simple. The day before the show I was told that I sent my bikes went to the wrong address and they were on their way back to me Philadelphia.

So I have a booth, I have promotional materials, I hired models in Ft Lauderdale but I don't have product ( no bikes ). I thought about cancelling the trip, instead I decided to try something unique. I decided to bring three bikes onto my flight. Normally airlines have surcharges to transport bikes, the normal rate is $80. I packed two bikes in a Downtube soft suitcase, and checked them in with no problem. I decided to try to bring a mini as carry-on luggage, went through security with no problem, got on the plane no problem. I was not sure if the bike would fit in the overhead bin, but I was in a gambling mood so I took my chances. It fit in the bin with no problem. However the overhead bin would not close....uh oh. I didn't plan for this, I don't exactly own an airplane so I had no idea for plan B.

That's when the stewardess mentioned it might fit in the wheelchair compartment....wheelchair compartment? She said that every airplane has a compartment to hold wheelchairs for disabled passengers. She said it should fit with no issues, and it did. I got to Ft. Lauderdale with 3 bikes and it costed me nothing extra.
The show worked out well, and I decided to press my luck on the way back and I got all three bikes back on the flight with no surcharges.

I have travelled by bike before, but I've never travelled by bikes....three bikes before.