CaminoKate0214
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June/July 2015 (CF, 100 miles), June/July 2018 (CP, ~40 miles, too hot!)
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I'm not sure about that. Under Human Rights, it's discrimination to enforce a policy that will cause a disadvantage to someone who has a particular need. Its not discrimination to enforce a policy to someone who doesn't have a particular need just because somebody else does.I have always taken my poles apart and put them in my rucksack and have never had a problem on any carrier inc BA. Don’t forget that walking sticks are allowed for the less able-bodied and they cannot discriminate against anyone that is not less able-bodied!!
I called TSA. They do not allow any kind of walking stick at all inside the cabin of the plane at least out of California.Ki Kate
my recent experiences are that airlines no longer allow walking poles on board even if collapsed in my backpack.
I have been twice stopped in the UK and even flying OUT of Santiago they would not let them on board so I had to check them in. Fortunately no charge compared to leaving the UK and having to pay £30 for checked luggage. If you check luggage you can also include a small knife and other items which can't be taken on board.
Yes it will depend on the security person and they show up inside the backpack through the scanner. A recent fellow I walked with from Seville just buys a cheaper pair on arrival and gives them away at the end.
Good luck
happymark
It is their official stance, but very often it is disregarded. It entirely depends on the TSA agent you get.Then TSA has variable enforcement of carry-on walking sticks from city to city, and the particular individual who is manning the security station at the airport, or that is their only response over the phone.
BA isn't going to be looking at what's in your carry-on, but TSA will be. As has been mentioned, hiking poles are technically not allowed, but many people seem to get through with them. You can try, but have a contingency plan.I had planned to zip tie my hiking poles. Are they allowed or would it be easier to buy poles when I get to Lisbon? Thanks!
My question is this. If it costs $45 to check my poles, it is better just to buy them once I get there? Flying in to Paris then the train down to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Can I buy walking sticks there or should I just get them here and pay the money? I know nothing about walking sticks but feel they will help me. Or, do I take the chance and then buy new ones if they take them away as they said they would? What do decent poles cost there? Any help is ap
Some years ago I checked with security at Dublin Airport in advance of my flight. They have no problem with collapsible poles being taken on board the aircraft. Since then I have taken them through many times without raising an eyebrow. I carry them inside my case or backpack.Hi Kate,
In short the answer is: "it all depends" on the personnel at the airport. I have the same dilemma flying from Dublin. Today, I think I will chance it, tomorrow I think not. My plan is to buy sticks at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and leave them behind when returning home. I think (hope) buying them in SJPdP is less expensive than paying for them with Ryanair (outward) and Aer Lingus (return). They may even stop me bringing my backpack on as hand luggage and if so, then I will feel a right fool for leaving my sticks at home. I guess this is all part of the Camino. The pity is when you get to Santiago you will see lots of sticks left at the Pilgrim's Reception Office -- no idea what happens to them.
Buen Camino
Tony
My question is this. If it costs $45 to check my poles, it is better just to buy them once I get there? Flying in to Paris then the train down to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Can I buy walking sticks there or should I just get them here and pay the money? I know nothing about walking sticks but feel they will help me. Or, do I take the chance and then buy new ones if they take them away as they said they would? What do decent poles cost there? Any help is ap
The sentence I've marked in bold above seems to have it backwards. Poles are never allowed through security at Santiago airport, but collapsible ones are often allowed through at other airports in Spain.I spoke to the Spanish Tourist Office in Dublin and was told that the collapsible poles would not be allowed through security at any Spanish airport. The person I spoke to checked this put with Madrid just to be sure. I am glad the airlines are now making an exception in Santiago (see note elsewhere in this thread).
Although poles are ever allowed as carry-on on at the Santiago Airport I've read here that all the airlines that fly out of Santiago will allow you to check them in for FREE.The sentence I've marked in bold above seems to have it backwards. Poles are never allowed through security at Santiago airport, but collapsible ones are often allowed through at other airports in Spain.
Your use of the rice bag is a great idea. I hate checking our packs without a cover. I do not use large enough quantities of rice to acquire a bag, but I do have feed bags for horses and chickens that are similar material. I am going to try it out. Thanks for mentioning this.I wouldn't be without my ergonomic "Pacer Poles" They save my knees, esp. downhill, they also give me "Extra Legs" so I can walk uphill. I put them in my pack, separated, and put my pack in a rice bag, and sew it up. (Yes I save the needle and coarse thread, on a bit of thick paper, and shove it in at the last minute. Worked great the last 2 times. I check the whole thing. Saves the pack from damage, again in Sept!
We had no problem flying out to Madrid with our poles in our packs (carry-on) but on the return flight from Madrid they were confiscated: 'This is not allowed in Spain'.
We had the opportunity to have them sent as hold bacggage but it was Ryanair and their charges would have exceeded the cost of the poles.
So...the airline aren't mithered, it's security at the airports that's the problem.
Can you tell us what type of poles they were? Folding? Aluminum? Carbon fiber? It could make a big difference.We had no problem flying out to Madrid with our poles in our packs (carry-on) but on the return flight from Madrid they were confiscated
Sorry, Just noticing this now. When I said that the airlines are making an exception I meant that they are accepting poles as check-in baggage at Santiago without charging. I have no first hand experience but that is my understanding from other postings.The sentence I've marked in bold above seems to have it backwards. Poles are never allowed through security at Santiago airport, but collapsible ones are often allowed through at other airports in Spain.
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