How do I check a bicycle as luggage?

Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at 2:26 am

I'm flying my brother to New Orleans (ABQ to MSY) in June of 2008. He is a bicycling enthusiast and would like to bring his Fixie with him, also it's way cheaper than renting a car. I've never flown with or checked a bicycle. I understand that most airlines will allow you to check a bicycle as opposed to an extra piece of luggage as long as it's packed a certain way. I'm currently looking at either Continental or Delta for his flight. My main point of confusion is the new $25 fee for an additional piece of luggage. I've read that this fee is only incurred when flying with multiple carriers for one trip. He will be flying one way and most flights I've looked at are single carrier. If he checks one piece of luggage and his bike, plus whatever additonal carry on he happens to have, does this fee apply? I am trying my best to make this flight as inexpensive as possible.