There I was ready to check into my flight at O'Hare Airport
here in the Windy City complete with my backpack & bike when
the TSA agent gave me the news: "sorry, you can't take your bike
with you..."
OH MY G_D WHAT THE H_LL AM I GOING TO DO NOW!!!
Well, I'll just have to lock it up out in front and hope it's still there
in a week or two.
TSA Agent - "If you lock it up ANYWHERE in/around the airport we'll
cut it off"
Me: "You mean there's NO WHERE in this whole airport a traveler can't
lock up a bike"
TSA Agent: "That's policy, and it's the police who'll remove it"
So,
they agreed to book me on a flight 24 hours later, no charge, so I could
go back leave bike at home all the way on the Blue line train how i came. I must say the TSA agent was a real good guy - pleading my case to his superiors, but to no avail.

O.K., I should've been more prepared - but the last time I took a bike with
me there were spare cardboard containers lying around they gave me to use.

I'm now learning about "official" protective cases which are too big & bulky
but I'm sorry -   the airlines THEMSELVES should be providing these apparatuses -
not us travelers who are trying to be minimalist and sensible. Charge an extra baggage fee? - O.K. I guess I could go with that.