The policy still needs completed with the missing info you mentioned, but I don't think this makes it more difficult, as this new language tells you can take the bike for free if 62 total inches or under like a regular checked bag (which is a big duh I guess). Like everyone has said, tho, no normal bike case or bag is that small. And, the specialized sports equipment page linked at the right of the same page still states the 63-80 inch limit for the $75 bike fee applies with cargo shipping required if any larger. I used to take my 100 total inch Scicon Aerocomfort bag on Southwest with no problems, in the past, but unless I want to risk being turned away at the airport, I can no longer fly Southwest if I want to take my bike. It seems they could at least make the max dimension reasonable like their competitors and/or make some kind of concession if say the customer has no other check bags (e.g. the bike can be over X dimension, but will count as two checked bags).
Southwest, please do not go the opposite direction, when your competitors are becoming more bike friendly! I can fly anywhere (even all the way to Europe!) with my 50 lb, 100 total inch bike bag for free/the price of a regular checked bag on those other airlines!
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