Trekking poles and airlines

[Artemis]

I just bought some trekking poles for my trip and then as I was looking at the airlines baggage rules I saw that some of them charge extra for sports equipment. Does anyone have any experience with traveling with trekking poles? I am thinking now that I should have waited until I got to France to buy them.

 

[Artemis]

I am traveling from the US but flying to London and then to France. I think it was Easyjet that had some rules about sports equipment and added 22E to the cost.
I didn't think of using tubes to put them in but that is a good suggestion.
Thanks.

 

[Minkey]

Artemis...

What did you do? Were you just planning on strapping them to your pack?

I'm facing a similar dilemma...

 

[Artemis]

We don't leave until September so we haven't done anything yet. I think we will put them in a tube or box and check them.

 

[peregrina2000]

One additional tip -- we got big enough tubes that we were able to roll up some "post-camino clothes" and send them ahead in the tubes. We sent them to a hotel, but I've seen lots of references to how to send things to General Delivery in the post office. Then we also had the tubes themselves to pack the poles up again for the return flight.

 

[Kappar]

trekkingpoles

Hi all!

I'm on the Camino (Releigos just one day short of Lèon).

I flew from Denmark to Madrid and further on to Pamplona. I just strapped my trekkingpole to my backpack which I put in a big stuffsack when travelling by plane. The idea is that you can put a lock on the stuffsack and that It has a handle which prevents (or makes it definitely less likely) that the handling personnel will grab onto one of the straps on the bag and maybe tearing them or the bag.

One more tip though: When travelling with backpacks on planes allways loosen the straps on the bag even though you put it in a stuffsack - just in case the handling personnel choose to grab onto another part of the sack...

Buon Camino... :wink:

Kasper

 

[Minkey]

Artemis, duuuuuuuurrrrrrr! I was being a bit thick there!

Kaspar, that's a VERY good idea! :idea:

 

[Pamea]

Sooo. I am a week away from leaving and had planned on carrying my poles on with me. It looks like from all the comments if I don't want to risk them being taken (by a grumpy tsa agent) I had better pack in a tube and check. Ugh! they don't telescope down small enough to fit in my bags.and it sounds like if I take Iberia they won't allow it at all on the way home which sounds silly being on a hiking pilgrimage route. So if I decide to risk it and carry them on and they do get taken is there a place to get another pair? Coming from the US via Bayonne to SJPDP.
Also does anyone know where to get a butterfly net for the ones congregating in my stomach
Buen Camino soon!
Pamea

 

[Anniesantiago]

Sooo. I am a week away from leaving and had planned on carrying my poles on with me. It looks like from all the comments if I don't want to risk them being taken (by a grumpy tsa agent) I had better pack in a tube and check. Ugh! they don't telescope down small enough to fit in my bags.and it sounds like if I take Iberia they won't allow it at all on the way home which sounds silly being on a hiking pilgrimage route. So if I decide to risk it and carry them on and they do get taken is there a place to get another pair? Coming from the US via Bayonne to SJPDP.
Also does anyone know where to get a butterfly net for the ones congregating in my stomach
Buen Camino soon!
Pamea

If you decide to risk it, you can purchase poles at a couple of sporting shops in SJPP. Also, the wooden sticks sold all along the route are lovely and a nice memento to take home for under €10.

 

[Pamea]

If you decide to risk it, you can purchase poles at a couple of sporting shops in SJPP. Also, the wooden sticks sold all along the route are lovely and a nice memento to take home for under €10.

Ahh thank you. Helpful info. Would like to get the wooden ones but it doesn't sound like they let you bring them on the plane out of Santiago? Or do they consider them different than a trekking pole. I was able to find some tubes to check them in and trust they will get to the destination ! So all good info! Thanks again

 

[notion900]

First to say that you can never take poles in the cabin anywhere. Not even inside your bag or in tubes.

I always pay to check in my backpack as I like to be able to take what toiletries and manicure items I like and not rush around buying things on arrival.

I always present myself at check in with the poles strapped on the outside of the backpack, smile nicely and ask 'do you want them separated?'. They then normally get me to take them off and the clerk tapes them together with parcel tape which they keep behind the counter, sticks a barcode label on, and checks them in. I have never been charged for sports equipment and have flown in and out of multiple airports in the UK, Gibraltar and Spain like this, using RyanAir, Easyjet, Norwegian, Vueling (subsidiary of Iberia), and British Airways. I think once I was told to leave them on the backpack. At Santiago they ask for them to be separated. I never put my backpack in an outer bag, and it and the poles have never been lost or damaged.

If you are not checking in a bag, just the poles, then you may possibly be charged, I have never tried this.

 

[Kanga]

Also does anyone know where to get a butterfly net for the ones congregating in my stomach
Buen Camino soon!
Pamea

Pamea your butterflies will leave your tummy and spread their wings on the camino and the only net you will need will be for your dreams - to capture and take home. Been Camino!

 

[notion900]

the only net you will need will be for your dreams - to capture and take home. Been Camino!

I have a net bag to stop washing machines destroying my bras

 

[peregrina2000]

This is a very old thread, and many things have changed. To avoid the inevitable posts accusing people of being scofflaws or making blanket statements that are incorrect, several forum members helped to craft this general statement about hiking poles on planes. I will close the thread and leave it with this summary (many thanks to @C clearly and @Kathar1na), stressing that it is based on North American and European rules and regulations, so people on other continents should not rely on these generalizations.

1. Written or posted guidance provided by airlines and security agencies often specifies "No hiking poles," without clarification of type or size. However, in many countries, the actual legally binding documents do not say hiking poles are prohibited. If asked, the airlines generally say "No hiking poles."
2. In practice you will likely not be permitted to carry full-size uncollapsed hiking poles into the cabin.
3. Many or most people who carry folded-up poles are allowed to carry them on.
4. Walking aids are permitted if the passenger needs them for mobility.
5. The security agents at all airports have authority to prohibit anything they decide is a potential hazard. It is not a good idea to argue with them. The security staff are not connected with the airlines.
   
6. If you want to carry your poles into the cabin, no matter what type, go prepared with time and an alternative packing plan in case you are not permitted to take them.
7. Finally, poles are never allowed through security at Santiago airport, when you are leaving, so you must have them as checked baggage. However, many travelers have reported that at Santiago airport, many airlines allow them to be checked at no additional cost.