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Can hiking poles be carried on board airplanes?

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thesmiths2

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Time of past OR future Camino
Camino de Madrid (2018)
I am planning on leaving my larger suitcase for the rest of my non-Camino trip in an airport locker in Madrid, then fly on to Santiago. My poles do not fit in my daypack I'm taking on the Camino. A friend thought they may not allow me to carry it onboard. Any thoughts? Would I have to check the poles?
 
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This has been discussed many times and the bottom line is you will have to check them in. You have two options here, if you are not checking your bag in for there internal flight then you'll need some packaging for the poles. The other option is to leave them at home and buy a set at your starting location.
I've always checked my backpack with the poles inside and have never had any problems, having said that the next time I go I'll probably loose the lot.
 
Thank you for your quick answer, Waka! What I can do is take my larger luggage to Santiago and store it at the airport there, instead of Madrid, as I hear they have lockers, too. Then I can pack the poles and just remove them for the Camino.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Thank you for your quick answer, Waka! What I can do is take my larger luggage to Santiago and store it at the airport there, instead of Madrid, as I hear they have lockers, too. Then I can pack the poles and just remove them for the Camino.
If you have reserved a hotel room iin Santiago, why not leave bags there? They will keep them for you, usually at no cost for returning Customers. Just a thought.
 
If you have reserved a hotel room iin Santiago, why not leave bags there? They will keep them for you, usually at no cost for returning Customers. Just a thought.

That's a great idea but when I arrive, I'm going to catch a bus from the airport to where I starting my walk back to SdC. Thanks for responding!
 
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My wonderful "Pacer Poles" stick out of my pack, I put pack and poles in a rice bag, and stitch it up, or tie it. I check it that way. worked both trips.I'm coming a long way, and have layovers etc... I save the bag,needle and the cording for the return flight. Option is to put a couple sox over the ends that stick out, and just strap on the rain cover...
 
Just wondering if Spanish airports still offer long term luggage storage?
 
I am planning on leaving my larger suitcase for the rest of my non-Camino trip in an airport locker in Madrid

Just wondering if Spanish airports still offer long term luggage storage?

Hi, the lockers at Madrid airport are very expensive if you leave stuff in them for many days.

Two people in my group in Sep found it cheaper to take their extra stuff to the post office at the airport, and post the stuff to Santiago, to pick up when we arrived there 3 weeks later.
Jill
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Good to know! Do you know how much the airport lockers were in Santiago?
 
The post below by peregrina2000 is the preferred forum answer to the question of poles as carry on.
The moderators would greatly appreciate it if members would accept it and refrain from restarting all of the old arguments and opinions on this subject. It is from this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...oles-hand-luggage-in-planes.9936/#post-583182

Thanks for understanding.

"Because some of the forum "regulars" got very weary of this endless debate, and because the discussions always seemed to descend into vitriol and accusations, we came up with this post. I believe it lays out the pros and cons, the risks, the knowns and the unknowns. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Buen camino, Laurie

Several months back, when some of the posts were getting very belligerent on the topic of whether you can carry your hiking poles onto the plane, several members put their heads together to come up with a non-judgmental (yes, believe it or not, some people do get judgmental on this topic) summary of what can be said factually about the topic. People continue to want to carry on their poles, either because of short connections, the hassles created if they go missing (that was the trigger for me), etc.

Thanks to those clear thinkers. Here is what can be said about hiking poles on planes:

  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 people who carry folded-up poles are allowed to carry them on (see the last point for the one clear exception).
  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.
Since these are generalizations, there will be lots of different individual experiences, but this list should help you decide what the risks are and how to go to the airport prepared with a plan B.

Because of the barrage of criticism that usually accompanies my statement that I have carried on my poles for years and years, I have resorted to PMs, and can tell you that as recently as Sept. 22, 2017 one pilgrim reported to me that he carried on poles from Boston to Madrid, through security, and onto a domestic flight within Spain.

Of course things can change, of course the security officer can do what he or she wants, which is why a Plan B is essential."
 
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Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Hi, we did Camino in 2014, and we both had hiking poles. I purchased a fishing pole case for foldable fishing poles, and we took the poles in there, with a TSA lock, and checked with luggage. At arrival in Madrid we left the case in a locker and took our backpacks and trekking poles on a he train to Pamplona! I hope this suggestion helps! It worked for us! This cases can be bought at BASS, DICKS, and possibly ordered on line. They have different sizes depending on how short your poles can go. BUEN CAMINO!
 
I am planning on leaving my larger suitcase for the rest of my non-Camino trip in an airport locker in Madrid, then fly on to Santiago. My poles do not fit in my daypack I'm taking on the Camino. A friend thought they may not allow me to carry it onboard. Any thoughts? Would I have to check the poles?
I have been able to take my black diamond z poles on all flights with different airlines all around the world so far without any issues.
 
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And so we go and on about poles on planes - boring! Grayland has the answer above.

But slightly off topic and something I have never read about on the Forum is about poles on buses. They should always be placed in the luggage lockers below the seating, and not inside the bus, where it is possible they may be used as a weapon (as on a plane). I have seen remarkable scenes between passengers where the bus driver insists that they go in the luggage hold and the passenger is shouting and insulting (in English) the poor driver, who has no idea what they are saying.
 
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I have been able to take my black diamond z poles on all flights with different airlines all around the world so far without any issues.

My husband and I have had the same experience with these poles. We only use carry on packs and never check them. We have flown to/from London , Madrid , Nice, Taipei , Bangkok, Delhi , Calgary, Athens , Venice and never had any problem going through security with them.
 
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