Air lines unfair charges for bike transport

I purchased a ticket last month to fly to France to Tour the Alps with a group with Ben Sarotta of Serotta Bikes. The Trip the people the experience was great with exception of getting hosed by the AirLines,

North West / Delta. Upon arrival to get my boarding pass I was informed that I would have to pay $300 each way to transport my bike. The bike was in an approved bike case and weighted less the 50 lb max. Your allowed 2 pieces of luggage up to 100 lbs. Even though I had no other check in baggage … they charged me the full $600…

So the trip cost me an additional $600 for transport of my bike…
Upon return I decided to check my carry on to avoid carry it around between layovers. When I arrived back at my distination my bike and luggage was not there…
The Air Line delivered it 12 hrs later. Upon unpacking I discoved that my Gramin, bike computer, cell phone, camera and new gifts were stolen….
The air line states that they are not responsible for missing electronics ???

My reason for writing this is so that you may be able to alert others of the excessive bike transport charge from Northwest Air and Delta Air lines, before they buy thier ticket.