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lynnejohn said:We fully collapse them and put them inside our packs. I wonder if that would work.lynne
Kitsambler said:Frankly, I would keep the pack as cabin baggage, and check a small parcel with the sharps. This could easily be your micro-mini compressible daybag put to another use.
Sojourner47 said:Any checked (carried in hold) baggage on Ryanair is charged at £15 each way.
Hence my wish to carry poles as cabin baggage, collapsed of course.
Otherwise it will be cheaper to buy some in Santiago on arrival.... :mrgreen:
I don't think we have reached consensus just yet. There are two issues, one concerning Airport Security and the other concerning the airline on which you are booked to travel.micamino73 said:Hi, So is the consensus that you can't bring your fully collapsed hiking sticks on the plane?
I find this and previous 'debates' on this topic fascinating, as well as the notion that as a community, we can reach a 'consensus' - other than what might be provided as good advice to fellow pilgrims. I watch it with interest, because I have been travelling by air with technical walking poles for over a decade, and always carried them in my checked bag(s).ConnachtRambler said:I don't think we have reached consensus just yet. There are two issues, one concerning Airport Security and the other concerning the airline on which you are booked to travel.micamino73 said:Hi, So is the consensus that you can't bring your fully collapsed hiking sticks on the plane?
snip
Sea to Summit make a combination pack carrier bag and rain cover. I bought one before my Camino in 2010, but it eventually failed the weight test (at about 500gm) and I used a lightweight waterproof cover (~100gm) instead. See http://www.shopping.com/Summit-Appl...ltr-Pack-Summit-Appliances-Division/info?sb=1 for an idea about what it looks like.renegadepilgrim said:Just tighten up the straps so that they aren't loose, or get a duffle bag to put it in. It's really not that big of a deal. Depending on how big your pack is you can take the waist straps and wrap them around the pack. I used an Osprey Airporter for mine and shipped it ahead to SDC.
kansas098@aol.com said:I will be traveling from the US to Madrid in May and was planning on checking my backpack because of a pocketknife and a few other items. How do I deal with the straps on the backpack. Airlines don't like the straps because of getting caught in their conveyor belts. How do others deal with this? Any advise on how to check your backpack would be appreciated. Thank You.
Somehow I feel safer flying because of those security measures, much as they have sometimes been annoying.breakintheclouds said:Same here: I've also booked my bag into the hold. But this is good news for future pilgrims and, perhaps, also good news if it represents a softening of over-zealous airport security more generally?
Abbeydore said:Not worth the risk!
Maybe lucky, if not lucky could loose poles if not time to re-book them, or worse your flight too. :cry:
Gilespenn said:I'd hate to lose these new REI poles before my trip begins.
Anyone have experience with TSA in this regard?
crisnelson said:I
The more cumberson, alternative was to get a cardboard tube and check the poles as baggage, fine on the flight into Spain, but how to ship them back when I return? I couldn't see carrying a carboard tube with me on the Camino so I could check them on the flight home.
That's precisely what I was wondering too, Abbylore! AnneAbbeydore said:What was his name :lol: & where's his shop :lol:
Abbeydore said:What was his name :lol: & where's his shop :lol:
falcon269 said:If his business model is to confiscate trekking poles for resale at the endpoint of the Camino, when everyone is done with them, he is truly following the national business model for failure.
The list does not say "trekking" or "walking poles." The Los Angeles Times, however, asked the TSA about poles:Prohibited items at the passenger security checkpoint and carry-on bags generally include sports equipment that could potentially used as weapons in the aircraft cabin. Please check these items with the airline to reach your flight destination.
Examples of prohibited items at passenger security checkpoints and carry-on bags include:
Baseball bats
Cricket bats
Golf clubs
Hunting knives
Pool cues
Ski poles
Bows and arrows
Hockey sticks
Martial arts devices
Scuba knives
Spear guns
You can hope for an inattentive security guard, or different national rules, but do not be surprised if your trekking poles are confiscated. It will be safest to check them.Answer: You'll find an amazingly long list of things you cannot take on a plane as carry-on at the Transportation Security Administration's website, http://www.tsa.gov (click on "Prohibited Items"). Some never-ever items are just common sense — loaded guns, for instance, although Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, a Republican from San Bernardino, recently tried to get on a flight to Sacramento with a .45-caliber handgun and ammo. (An "unfortunate mistake," he said later.)
Other items may surprise you as carry-on no-can-do's: gel shoe inserts, gel candles and snow globes. Oh, and don't forget drills and drill bits for all of you do-it-yourselfers who just can't leave them at home.
A hiking pole also is a nonstarter as a carry-on. A regular cane, when used as an assistive device, is OK, but "hiking sticks, like ski poles, are not permitted," said Nico Melendez, a TSA rep.
Entirely, if humour means attacking the defenceless.falcon269 said:Humorless?
Hi Cris, I put my poles in a tube and check it through as luggage. On arrival I throw the tube away. For the return trip, I buy another tube, simply wrap the poles in bubble wrap or check them in with my pack.crisnelson said:The best solution I found was to get collapsible hiking poles from REI - they collpase to 25" and will fit nicely in my backpack, which I am checking.
The more cumberson, alternative was to get a cardboard tube and check the poles as baggage, fine on the flight into Spain, but how to ship them back when I return?
Interesting. A friend of mine was recently at the Ottawa airport and asked the CATSA security peopleHi, I am planning to start the Camino in Sept/14 and after speaking to another prospective walker who plans to leave about the same time, she indicated that her poles collapsed and went into a case that she would put in her pack. Upon checking with CATSA - the Canadian Airport Security - they told me in no uncertain terms would they be allowed. as they were still considered a security risk. So that is that.
Unless there is a specific directive from the country you are flying from, you are ALWAYS at the mercy of the "TSA" agent at customs. That goes for the gate personnel when you board as well. That actually preceded all the 9/11 regulations. Pack 'em or gamble.Interesting. A friend of mine was recently at the Ottawa airport and asked the CATSA security people
there whether or not hiking poles were allowed in carry on luggage and they said it wasn't a problem, so your comment "that is that" isn't the whole story. I suspect that you would get a different story from security person to security person and airport to airport.
hi ,my dad and I flew into biarratz for just one week this time,no prob getting on with the poles in our packs from Dublin with ryainair . on the way back however again from biarratz to Dublin there was much discussion between the security guys about our poles and result was the decided they would fall into the possible weapons category,one of the staff suggested that I could go back and ask passengers that were checking in large cases if they would mind putting our poles in their bags ?I found a lovely lady that looked a little concerned until the helpful security guy said the poles had been x rayed "no contraband items"she put our poles into her bag ,I offered her some money and she declined,found the staff there reluctant to take our poles but bound by the rules they were super helpful x xThe conundrum of carrying hiking poles on flights continues. I smugly thought I had it sussed for European flights, but in April the security people at Santiago airport were not one bit impressed with my letter quoting EU regulations permitting the poles in cabin baggage (we had backpacks with dismantled poles inside). They showed me the Ministro de Fomento rule that contradicted my 'EU regulation'. I had not been forewarned, argued the toss, and eventually they let me and my two companions through, grudgingly, once only, and probably because I was such a grumpy old lady! It was good that P. was told beforehand to take the poles to Ryanair--it came as a great surprise to me that they would accept them free!! I think Santiago airport should have a large sign in several languages saying what their rule is.
I am confident about taking the poles inside my cabin-size backpack on my flight from Ireland or the UK TO Spain, but in future I may have to pay for a bag-in-the-hold on my return flight from other Aena Spanish airports (the official seemed to imply it was Santiago airport's special offer for them to be stowed free by the airlines). I know, I know, I shouldn't begrudge a few euro, or the baggage-claim wait--but ...
As has been said, sometimes this appears to be the whim of a jobs-worth security official. I do wish they could be consistent--and generous! Why not wave anyone through, on display of a Camino shell--or at least a compostela!
It sounds a little confusing depending on the airline, but am I correct in assuming that traveling from the U.S., if your poles can collapse and fit in your carry on pack, you can bring them on the plane ? (How's that for a run on sentence? )
Cheers.
The general answer, irrespective of what country your flight originates in, is that the airline safety regulator makes the rules, and these are applied at airports by the security staff, not by the airline staff. As @NicoZ says, the security staff may not consistently apply the rules, and sometimes let things pass that might not comply with the cabin baggage rules. In some international airports, there is both a general entry check to the terminals, and a further security check at the gates. After these checks, the airlines themselves don't normally do another baggage check that could detect poles inside a carry on bag, although they might do a size check to ensure that their own cabin baggage rules are met.It sounds a little confusing depending on the airline, but am I correct in assuming that traveling from the U.S., if your poles can collapse and fit in your carry on pack, you can bring them on the plane ? (How's that for a run on sentence? )
It sounds a little confusing depending on the airline, but am I correct in assuming that traveling from the U.S., if your poles can collapse and fit in your carry on pack, you can bring them on the plane ? (How's that for a run on sentence? )
Cheers.
Since they are not specifically mentioned (intentionally, I believe), they are viewed as ski poles, which are prohibited. The TSA has probably deflected thousands of questions on trekking poles without specifically addressing them. No one wants to be the person that makes them legal, only to see one used as a weapon the next week!I recently checked the TSA guidelines and didn't see them as prohibited.
It seems a very long bow indeed to compare trekking poles to a medical aid like a walking stick. Are you going to spin the security inspector a yarn that you cannot walk down the aisle of the plane without your trekking poles?Thanks peregrina2000. I would think that carrying a pole or poles through security would be similar to carrying a cane and therefore not a problem. But you do occasionally run into a grumpy TSA badge wearer. Do you think it would be better to just use the pole (I use one) or try to pack it in my carry on? I know it could vary depending on who is on duty but, thoughts? I recently checked the TSA guidelines and didn't see them as prohibited.
It seems a very long bow indeed to compare trekking poles to a medical aid like a walking stick. Are you going to spin the security inspector a yarn that you cannot walk down the aisle of the plane without your trekking poles?
For what it's worth... My pacer poles travelled with rubber tips, collapsed, inside my sole piece of luggage - my camino backpack - as cabin baggage without any hassle on Singapore and Vueling Airlines through Wellington/Auckland/Changi/Barcelona/Valladolid. BUT the flight out of Santiago de Compostela attempting the same technique was foiled at the Xray and I had to return and check them in (for free though) as there are so many pilgrims with poles that they reckon it's easier to just have a blanket "poles in the hold flying out of SdC" policy. I had them tightly secured in their bag though so it was pretty simple to whip them out, and everything else in the backpack was also in stuff sacks so it wasn't a problem. Fortunately I had enough time to comply.Re: Hiking Poles hand luggage in Planes ????
Basically, if they can't see them then they can't tell you that you can't have them on the plane.....
I think the concern is they could be used as a weapon. I made sure that my rubber tips were on mine when they were in my bag. I checked my luggage this last trip due to the nature of the rest of my travels after the Camino. It was just easier. Next time, I probably will check it too so I can take my Leatherman with me.
Hi, this is now 2015 and if you fly British Airways, it says quite clearly that you can't take walking poles into the cabin... Good luck to those of a betting disposition!This news from Johnnie Walker
"HolaIf travelling through or from Stansted Airport please note that hiking poles are allowed as carry on luggage or in carry on luggage. A very helpful pilgrim wrote to the airport authorities and received the following reply. If in doubt take a copy with you!
"You are seeking confirmation as to whether your walking poles are acceptable in hand luggage. The UK's Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) direct airlines and airports as to what items should be prohibited from being carried in the cabin or hold of an aircraft. UK Airports are now also subject to EU regulations in terms of prohibited items. I am pleased to confirm that European Commission rules (EC300) do in fact allow hiking poles. Therefore since the airport is now subject to those standards rather than the original DfT series of directions, a change to the orders has been made and we are now allowing hiking poles through. I hope my response is helpful and that you will have no issues with taking your hiking poles through security.
Yours sincerely
Nancy Hatch
Customer Insight Team"
Good news
John
Confirming what Silvester reported in December 2014, when flying out of Santiago de Compostela poles are NOT allowed in cabin luggage. When they catch them on the security scanner, you'll have to go back out to the check-in counter, wait in line again, check your pack (or just the poles), then pass through security again. I was lucky I had plenty of time before my flight to do this.
A lot of pilgrims mail a box home from the SDC Post Office, which is conveniently right around the corner from the Pilgrim's Reception Office. I think this solution makes sense for Europeans, less so for those from other continents.
Or buy a razor and pocket knife when you arrive? That's what I thought I would do so I can carry my pack and poles with me on the plane. Bien CaminoRe: Hiking Poles hand luggage in Planes ????
The items I can't take on board are:
pocket knife & razor
So, since I'm making a package to go as checked luggage, I include my Hiking poles.
It's no big deal. If they get lost I just buy new ones.
This is excellent news!This news from Johnnie Walker
"HolaIf travelling through or from Stansted Airport please note that hiking poles are allowed as carry on luggage or in carry on luggage. A very helpful pilgrim wrote to the airport authorities and received the following reply. If in doubt take a copy with you!
"You are seeking confirmation as to whether your walking poles are acceptable in hand luggage. The UK's Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) direct airlines and airports as to what items should be prohibited from being carried in the cabin or hold of an aircraft. UK Airports are now also subject to EU regulations in terms of prohibited items. I am pleased to confirm that European Commission rules (EC300) do in fact allow hiking poles. Therefore since the airport is now subject to those standards rather than the original DfT series of directions, a change to the orders has been made and we are now allowing hiking poles through. I hope my response is helpful and that you will have no issues with taking your hiking poles through security.
Yours sincerely
Nancy Hatch
Customer Insight Team"
Good news
John
This was posted in 2012. Hardly news!! You might want to confirm that the advice is current.This is excellent news!