KJFSophie
My Way, With Joy !
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
I fully appreciate the topic has been discussed ad nauseam and usually ends in arguments regarding poles on planes. Some will claim they never had an issue putting their poles into their packs and walking onto the airplane with them for the overhead, others have had them confiscated at the airport, some forced to check their bag because of the poles. Opinions will vary greatly based on experiences at the airports.
Here are a few things to consider:
I was told by a friend who works for the TSA in the US that it is largely the call of the screening agent. His/her opinion to allow or not will be based on whether or not the poles pose a threat in any way. If they are deep inside your bag rather than strapped to the outside, they become less of a threat. If they are broken down as small as possible ( preferably z-poles )and have no sharp point ( hard tips removed and capped with rubber ) they become less of a threat. If you take the time to wrap them tightly in 'cling' wrap / Saran / plastic wrap, they become less of a threat because they would not be readily accessible.
I take a large mailer envelope and length of bubble wrap to the airport in my tote bag. The envelope has my identification info on it already and is self sealing with a tape strip. Should the poles be refused at the TSA check, I can simply place the poles only in the envelope and check them in without having to check my entire pack. It will be easier to replace poles than an entire lost pack. It will be easier to collect them at the airport also as small or very large odd shaped checked items go to a different collection spot at most airports and not off of the carousel.
( if you don't end up needing your mailer envelop and plastic bubble wrap you can discard it or simply place it flat in your pack for the trip home. It makes a nice waterproof cushion to sit on along the way too...lol )
*** EDIT posting not meant to incite another riot of " pole or not to pole "...just some things to consider if one is leaning towards trying to bring onboard.
Here are a few things to consider:
I was told by a friend who works for the TSA in the US that it is largely the call of the screening agent. His/her opinion to allow or not will be based on whether or not the poles pose a threat in any way. If they are deep inside your bag rather than strapped to the outside, they become less of a threat. If they are broken down as small as possible ( preferably z-poles )and have no sharp point ( hard tips removed and capped with rubber ) they become less of a threat. If you take the time to wrap them tightly in 'cling' wrap / Saran / plastic wrap, they become less of a threat because they would not be readily accessible.
I take a large mailer envelope and length of bubble wrap to the airport in my tote bag. The envelope has my identification info on it already and is self sealing with a tape strip. Should the poles be refused at the TSA check, I can simply place the poles only in the envelope and check them in without having to check my entire pack. It will be easier to replace poles than an entire lost pack. It will be easier to collect them at the airport also as small or very large odd shaped checked items go to a different collection spot at most airports and not off of the carousel.
( if you don't end up needing your mailer envelop and plastic bubble wrap you can discard it or simply place it flat in your pack for the trip home. It makes a nice waterproof cushion to sit on along the way too...lol )
*** EDIT posting not meant to incite another riot of " pole or not to pole "...just some things to consider if one is leaning towards trying to bring onboard.
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