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Anniesantiago said:I do understand that the REASON for not allowing those poles in the sleeping room (as explained to me by another hospitalero) is because they have been know to be used as weapons! No kidding! So I can understand the reason...
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I had no problem a dozen times on camino flights; my bag arrived with me. They were almost all Iberia flights. However, the last two times the bags did not arrive in Santiago with me -- U.S. to Heathrow to Madrid to Santiago. The connection times were ample, but the flights were code sharing flights with British Airways. Both times the pack arrived on the next flight from Madrid to Santiago, a later evening flight.I take my backpack as carry on luggage with the essentials in that I can't do my camino without. I don't want to lose my backpack on the way there
The simple answer is that if you don't want to check your bag(s), leave the poles and knife behind and get them replaced when you arrive at your start point. I needed to replace my poles, and bought a pair of Altus Rift for about 35E in 2010.Janet S. said:do you think it's worth it for me to check a bag on Ryanair just to bring two trekking poles (they are nice titanium poles). Counting both there and back flights it would be a total of 55 euros. Would I be able to find a set of good trekking poles once on the Camino for less than that? also wondered about a pcoket kinfe... a friend wants to get me one of those multipurpose knives. I didn't really want to check any bags at all if I could avoid it. Do they have any issue with the size of these backpacks as carryons? Thanks!
Janet
Janet, is it not still the case that you can check one bag for free on international flights from the US? That was true as of last Fall (Nov. 2012), when I flew to Europe. If so, you could check the poles (in a tube or something), and carry on the backpack.do you think it's worth it for me to check a bag on Ryanair just to bring two trekking poles (they are nice titanium poles). Counting both there and back flights it would be a total of 55 euros.
camino-david said:Another suggestion is dismantling your poles and putting them inside your backpack. I have a pair of Leki poles which the manufacturer recommends dismantling to clean occasionally, so I put them in my pack. Another idea which I have seen on this Forum is to dismantle them, put them inside a tube, or wrap them in bubblewrap, and tie securely to your pack, which can then be wrapped in plastic at the airport if you wish.
fortview said:Was thinking about this topic in the middle of the night... Like you do... Thought about risking it, and putting the poles inside the rucksack, but don't want to have to face paying to check them in if its not acceptable.
So, I know where I'm going to be staying the first night in Pamplona, so why not POST the poles to them, and hopefully the poles will be waiting for me ??
It's got to be cheaper than checking them in, if you live in Europe?
Any thoughts ?
Helen
I used to check my poles in a cardbord tube (you can buy one at fedex or UPS). I also stuck my Swiss Army knife in the tube. Worked fine till the year it didn't arrive in Madrid. I had to make a dash to an outdoor store before my train down to Sevilla, which was doable but not fun. Had to find out about a store, figure out how to get there on the metro, etc.
On the theory that lightening doesnt strike twice in the same place, maybe I could go back to my cardboard tube system, but the carry-on option has worked perfectly for the last 3 or 4 years.
But just a note for those who check poles in a cardboard tube -- in Madrid at least, and maybe other airports, a big cardboard tube won't come out in the regular baggage carousel, so look around for the place where oversized or unusually sized packages are delivered.
Buen camino, Laurie
We ended up packing our poles in a heavy duty mailing tube and checking them. They arrived just fine.
I did find it upsetting at one alburgue when they INSISTED that I leave my expensive Pacer Poles in a drum barrel by an open alley door. I offered to put them in my pack, but no way would they let me. So I passed on staying there, and went to another place.
I used those poles in particular because of wrist surgery and weakness. An otherwise wooden stick would have been fine there, but I wasn't comfortable leaving my Pacers.
I do understand that the REASON for not allowing those poles in the sleeping room (as explained to me by another hospitalero) is because they have been know to be used as weapons! No kidding! So I can understand the reason...
HOWEVER, I wish they'd take into consideration the expense invested and provide at least a more secure place away from an open door. It's not like there is no theft in Spain. I heard of at least 3 sets of poles being stolen while there last summer.
Smart idea! I'm starting in Oviedo. I suppose I could mail the tube from there and have fresh clothes waiting for me in Santiago.Hi, Dick,
I think you will find mailing tubes at the dispatch office any private shipping company -- FedEx, UPS, DHL, I'm not sure what you have in Canada. And I remember that I was able to buy a tube for the return trip at an art supply store in Santiago.
Another thing I have done is to keep the tube and use it for the return home. Upon arrival at my starting point, I took out the sticks and stuffed some "post Camino" clothes, even a pair of shoes, into the tube. I sent my tube on to a hotel in Santiago, but with Ivar's operation now, it would be simpler to just send it there and not worry about it. Then the tube is there for re-checking on the return trip. In fact, I used one tube for three Caminos! Laurie
Hi, MendiWalker,
I know this is true in some airports but last May (and in prior years) I brought my hiking poles through airport security in Madrid in a small, carry-on duffel bag. I had to make a connection to a domestic flight to Valencia and so I had to go through security upon arrival in Spain. I had them in the duffel so I could run and check them if they weren't allowed through, but I had no problem.
Security at San Jose (Costa Rica) airport did not let the poles in the backpack through (September 2013).... Security at Spanish airports won´t let you even if the poles are in your backpack carry them on the plane.
A simple solution is to buy an XXXXlarge t-shirt for a dollar or two, sew across the neck and arm holes and put a draw string across the bottom. Simple, light and keeps the straps out of the way. Also turn the waist strap backwards and around the pack and clip it. Turn shoulder straps backwards so that they are all turned in towards the backpack. Slip the pack into it and it protects your pack and straps. I check my poles as I could not do without them and having them confiscated would break my heart and I don't have to deal with the whims are the security staff at the airports.
A simple solution is to buy an XXXXlarge t-shirt for a dollar or two, sew across the neck and arm holes and put a draw string across the bottom. Simple, light and keeps the straps out of the way. Also turn the waist strap backwards and around the pack and clip it. Turn shoulder straps backwards so that they are all turned in towards the backpack. Slip the pack into it and it protects your pack and straps. I check my poles as I could not do without them and having them confiscated would break my heart and I don't have to deal with the whims are the security staff at the airports.
This thread is going round and round a bit because of the different situations in and outside Europe and because people aren't always making it clear whether they are checking in their bags to go in the hold or carrying them into the cabin.
Albertnho, were your 55l Ospreys in the hold or in the cabin please?
FWIW over the last few years I have nearly always travelled back and forwards to Spain from England on Ryanair. My bag is fractionally too large to carry onto the plane, so I've always checked it in and it has always contained one walking pole (and nail scissors and a swiss army knife). This has worked perfectly every time. I reckon the extra cost of checking in a bag on Ryanair is approximately the same as buying trekking poles, knife etc at the other end, which you then leave behind when you leave Santiago. But if all these items go in the hold, you don't have the hassle of having to find a shop to buy these things before you start and you can sit in the airport lounge relaxing, while others join a queue to board and stand there for up to an hour in order to get a good space for their bags above the cabin seats. On the other hand you do have to wait about ten minutes for your bag to appear on the carousel at the other end (in my experience).
The fact you got away with something just proves you got away something. You'll find plenty of people that have forgotten forbidden items in thier carryons.
So true. If you check-in your backpack , you won´t have any problem what so ever regarding hiking poles. All you have to do is have your poles inside an not sticking out.
The problem comes when you want to carry on your backpack. Depending the country you are coming from into Spain you may or may not have any problems. But when leaving Spain security checks using scanners will detect your poles inside your backpack and they will be removed. There might be the one case where someone will have no problems but that´s the exception to the rule. In Spain it´s not allowed. Most airlines flying out of Spain have it on their web page as well. NO HIKING POLES as hand baggage.
Buen Camino!
Hola,Sorry MendiWalker but this is just not the case. I have left Amsterdam on 4 occasions with my Black Diamond poles IN my 35L backpack and have taken the pack ON the plane. I have also left from Vigo airport (2010) and Madrid airport (2011,2012, 2013) doing the same without a problem. I can't imagine that I was just "lucky" 4 separate times and years.
As we can see from the date of the OP (2009) this is a still current topic. In order to avoid confusion maybe posters can specify point of departure and entry as well as whether the poles where IN your pack as carry-on or stowed away and dates?
Sorry MendiWalker but this is just not the case. I have left Amsterdam on 4 occasions with my Black Diamond poles IN my 35L backpack and have taken the pack as CARRY-ON into the plane. I have also left from Vigo airport (2010) and Madrid airport (2011,2012, 2013) doing the same without a problem. I can't imagine that I was just "lucky" 4 separate times and years.
As we can see from the date of the OP (2009) this is a still current topic. In order to avoid confusion maybe posters can specify point of departure and entry as well as whether the poles where IN your pack as carry-on or stowed away and dates?
Hi Susanna,
My poles are much longer so they just barely fit into my Osprey Atmos 35L pack. They fold up to 65 cm or 25.5 inches.
I always put on the rubber tips before packing so as not to damage my pack.
The fact you got away with something just proves you got away something. You'll find plenty of people that have forgotten forbidden items in thier carryons.
Our backpacks were in the hold. Our backpacks are too big to store in the cabin.This thread is going round and round a bit because of the different situations in and outside Europe and because people aren't always making it clear whether they are checking in their bags to go in the hold or carrying them into the cabin.
Albertnho, were your 55l Ospreys in the hold or in the cabin please?
FWIW over the last few years I have nearly always travelled back and forwards to Spain from England on Ryanair. My bag is fractionally too large to carry onto the plane, so I've always checked it in and it has always contained one walking pole (and nail scissors and a swiss army knife). This has worked perfectly every time. I reckon the extra cost of checking in a bag on Ryanair is approximately the same as buying trekking poles, knife etc at the other end, which you then leave behind when you leave Santiago. But if all these items go in the hold, you don't have the hassle of having to find a shop to buy these things before you start and you can sit in the airport lounge relaxing, while others join a queue to board and stand there for up to an hour in order to get a good space for their bags above the cabin seats. On the other hand you do have to wait about ten minutes for your bag to appear on the carousel at the other end (in my experience).
I almost hate answering, for a forum that includes religious pilgrims I am amazed at how easily offended people get. I have travelled quite a bit in my time and the last decade's trips involved a lot of hiking. Due to depth perception problems, I depend a lot on my hiking poles. In MY own personal experience, I have had airport staff react to my poles (taken as carry-on) in many ways... From a friendly mini conversation regarding my trip plans, to ignoring them, to harassing me about them, to almost taking my poles away (two years ago at Heathrow- my 4th airport during my trip... All other airport staff before & after ignored them) a supervisor finally let them pass. On my last flight, I was afraid & did not want to lose my poles, so I checked my backpack & poles without issue. I don't think there are specific rules about hiking poles... But as I stated before, I DID witness a fellow pilgrim have a major issue with his poles on his trip home just a month ago - Just saying...
I, personally, think it is a crap-shoot & we are all subject to the whim of the airport staff & how they feel that day. The same goes with liquids... I forgot some muscle salve in my mini rucksack I used for carrying on board my valuables, this got through Madrid , but good old Heathrow had me dump everything out and then confiscated it (it was used - less than 3 oz... But in a 5 oz tube) - live and learn ... LOL!
I think the other poster meant that when you are in a realm where things are subjective, if you get through unscathed you are lucky. That has nothing to do with cheating a system. ;-)
In the past few years, we have come up against various "rules" regarding luggage which seem to make no sense. For instance, last week I traveled from California to Oregon via air. I called the airlines ahead of time to be sure my luggage was of the size & weight to carry on, only to have them tell me at check-in that the luggage must be checked, which cost me a whopping $40 instead of the $15 I was prepared to pay for the one extra bag.
Sooo.. we'd like to be prepared when it comes to our backpack and hiking poles.
Does anyone have any recent experience flying on British Air from the USA to Spain/Europe?
Do we need to send our poles ahead to Ivar?
Can we strap them to our packs?
Can we carry our packs on or must they be checked? (scary, in case they don't arrive)
Comments, advice, stories?
Thanks.
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