Bikes on Eurostar, The Saints Way, and flights to Perth: Open Jaw, where readers write back

Plus, dealing with air rage and trains complaints table

Cornwall's Saints Way (Simon Calder)

Eurostar's new rule: bikes must be in a 'bike box' from 1 November

You have to remove both wheels. Which involves messing with the chain and deraileur. OK if you have the means to clean up, but not if you're dressed in stuff that you don't want covered in oil. For some bikes this also means having to carry a wheel-lock key (as with a car). Wing nuts are long gone. In addition, for people whose bike is their transport, this will involve removal of all panniers and bike bags and somehow having to carry all of them. Tourers often carry two front pannier bags, two rear pannier bags, a saddle bag and a handle bar bag. That's six bags to carry after dismantling the bike.

Interesting that drivers have their cars stored safely without being forced to get out a toolkit and overalls. A bike (which is transport, not luggage) uses up a lot less space than a car, but cyclists are being penalised for travelling on something smaller, cleaner and lighter.

“Chrisfff”

Non-stop flights from London to Perth, Australia

It is difficult to see what the rationale or business case for this idea is – how will the seats be filled? Compared with Melbourne and Sydney, which each support only one Qantas flight per day to London (admittedly, using larger aircraft), Perth is a far smaller city with an even smaller class of affluent, frequent international travellers (personal and business).

Perth has an unusually high proportion of English immigrants but they do not stand out as regular travellers and it is difficult to imagine their presence would be a factor to justify this service.

“DLP”

I've done San Francisco to Sydney in 16 hours and do not recommend it. If I make that trip again, I will have to have a lay-over somewhere for a day or so.

Dave Cawdell

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. And when people get off the plane at Perth's very ordinary airport after 18 hours aloft, they will wish they hadn't.

Ross M

What everyone needs – an 18-hour non-stop journey with all the usual deprivations. Much better to opt for flights with a stop-over, which means you can choose from great Far Eastern carriers who know what service is.

“JaitcH”

Scrap duty-free to tackle air rage?

There's a big difference between a quick drink before take-off and necking duty-free on board. In the former case, excessive consumption will be, as you say, obvious to the crew as you board. It's hard to see any case for allowing alcohol to be taken on board by passengers: it adds weight; glass bottles make an effective weapon; and in the case of “duty-free” represents a subsidy to those able to afford long-distance travel.

Peter L

Virgin Trains tops complaints table

I am really surprised at this. I have had nothing but first-class service from Virgin Trains and have recommended them to all and sundry. Nothing has ever been too much trouble and I have been made to feel a welcomed and highly valued customer every time I have used their services. Sadly I cannot say the same about other train-operating companies.

“WDA News”

The Saints Way

On our way home from a trip to St Ives, and having read Simon Calder's article about the Saints Way between Padstow and Fowey, we arranged to meet up with friends and walk across Cornwall. It was a wonderful walk – thank you very much for discovering it for us. We did it in three days rather than two as I guess we are a bit older than Simon. The accommodation en route was great. All in all, a very enjoyable trip.

Anthony & Elizabeth Stimpson, Norfolk