Another reply from Air Canada since I advised them it would be a good idea to mention dimensional maximums. I have done this many times, so what is obvious to me, may not be to others.
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We have several types of containers with maximum height being 63 inches. Not sure if any of these windshields would exceed that, but during the booking process, all customers will be asked to provide basic dimensions.
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That means taking the windshield off on certain motorcycles.
And here are other responses from Air Canada that motorcyclists might have...
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Thank you so much for stopping by our booth and showing interest in shipping your motorcycle with Air Canada Cargo.
I would also like to thank you for all of your suggestions. Since you have posted news reports on a forum, I would like to clarify a few points below for you in the event you get questions from people who read your post.
*** A question on the forums asked "what about shipping damage?" It would be in the interest of both parties to inspect the motorcycle and sign a form so that there is agreement as to the condition of the motorcycle as received by Air Canada.***
RESPONSE: We are in the midst of finalizing the stipulations and regulations to ship these motorcycles with us by air. We are also advising customers that they can buy additional insurance coverage from us at a rate of $3.00/$1000 of the insured amount to cover you from tender time to retrieval time. All our shipments get inspected before they are loaded to ensure they are in good order. If we feel there is damage or other points that need to be noted we do have our customers sign off on a waiver showing in detail such items.
*** I would suggest traveling one or two days after the motorcycle ships to avoid having to wait for it till it is delivered to Air Canada cargo. I always did that. ***
RESPONSE: This suggestion may not work well for customers shipping to the UK or South America as shipments that are of the dangerous goods nature such as motorcycles are subject to storage charges 24 hours after arrival. It would actually be best for customers to plan to ship their motorcycles on the same day, or the day after they are scheduled to depart to avoid these additional charges.
*** Forums members also wanted to know who clears the motorcycle through customs. Will Air Canada perform this task or will they have to walk to the nearest brokerage as I have from ACC/LHR - Shoreham Road East to a broker nearby to clear the motorcycle. ***
RESPONSE: As we are an airline, we are only responsible for the transportation of the motorcycle. We do not have our own brokers, nor can we clear customs for our shippers. Customers will be responsible to tender their paperwork to local customs on their own at all international ports.
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On the shipping in advance topic, as I mentioned I always shipped a day or two before my flight. I've never been charged a "storage charge", not for two days. That might have changed since 2010 or if your motorcycle sits there for a week.
Due to their response above, I then asked "But if it arrives with the passenger, how long does it take for the motorcycle to reach the cargo facility from the aircraft?"
Air Canada's response:
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With cargo, normally the offloading of an entire aircraft can take approx.. 6 hours, sometimes less depending on where on the aircraft the container holding the motorcycle was loaded.
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Six hours is a bit long to have to wait. I am usually on the road 6 hours after landing and that covers getting my luggage, clearing customs, taxi transport to Air Canada Cargo, clearing the motorcycle through customs, getting gas, installing parts, etc.
As for clearing customs, I always had to do the legwork. The office the last two times was a 15 minute walk from Air Canada Cargo on Shoreham Road East at London-Heathrow. Once there, maybe 30 minutes and I was done.
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