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And that is the main problem.. . . Direct questions to TSA about trekking poles are ignored. . . .
That said, the various national regulators generally arrange to align themselves over the list of prohibited items.it's important to keep in mind that these questions are very country-specific.
I had the kind of poles (Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z0Pole Trekking Poles) that get small enough to go into my pack in their own bag and had rubber tips on the poles. I was able to take them in my carry-on pack both to and from Spain from the United States.Part of the problem is that whatever TSA tells you, you are at the mercy of the TSA agents at the airport. Safest is to check them rather than risk problem at the airport. I carried my pack on the plan and got a mailing tube of the type used for pictures. I put my poles and a pocketknife into that and checked it. I decided I was willing to run the risk of the airline losing my poles, but not my entire pack. Worked fine. When i arrived in Paris, the tube was at the area where oversized baggage gets placed.
Me too. They just collapse and go in your pack, which you can carry on. On the way back from Spain I just checked the whole pack, as it would no longer be a disaster if it were lost. I just put the whole pack with the collapsed poles through the xray. But just skip the knife and buy one in Spain.I had the kind of poles (Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z0Pole Trekking Poles) that get small enough to go into my pack in their own bag and had rubber tips on the poles. I was able to take them in my carry-on pack both to and from Spain from the United States.
I know that there are tons of threads asking this question, and it's important to keep in mind that these questions are very country-specific. My experiences are limited to getting the poles through TSA and getting the poles through Spanish security.
Getting the poles through TSA -- I have carried hiking poles through TSA on probably more than two dozen occasions. You are right Melensdad, that the regulations do not tell you whether hiking poles are allowed. All we know is that ski poles are not allowed and walking aids are allowed. People are also correct to point out that TSA agents do have a fair amount of discretion. But all I can say is that I have never had a problem, I always carry my poles onboard with me. For years I did what sjstabile did, which is to put my poles in a cardboard tube and check them. But then one year they didn't show up in Madrid, and I had to make a dash to a sports store before my AVE train left from Atocha. It wasn't fun. So I decided to try to carry them on and have been happy to find that no one objects. I bring a duffel bag so they can always be checked at the last minute if need be. Once I arrive in Spain, I then send that duffel bag up to my Santiago destination so it's there when I finish my camino.
Getting the poles through Spanish security -- I frequently transfer in Madrid to an intra-Spain flight at Barajas. (Last year was to Bilbao, year before to Valencia, etc.) When you arrive on an international flight and transfer to a domestic flight in T4, you have to go through security again. So I can also tell you that I have had no problem carrying my poles through security in Madrid. (I cannot tell you, though, if you make a transfer in London or some other European capital, what your odds are, I only fly directly into Spain from the US).
HOWEVER, I know that the Santiago airport security does not allow carry-on hiking poles, no how no way. That's why having my duffel waiting for me in Santiago makes the return trip much easier, since I just pack them up and check them, along with whatever goodies I've bought in Santiago to fill the bag.
I know it's possible you'll get hit with a cantankerous TSA agent who will decide to make you check them. But I've done this on so many hiking trips within the US as well as on my camino trips, that I feel fairly confident in saying that you are likely to have no problem. Buen camino, Laurie
I know that there are tons of threads asking this question, and it's important to keep in mind that these questions are very country-specific. My experiences are limited to getting the poles through TSA and getting the poles through Spanish security.
Getting the poles through TSA -- I have carried hiking poles through TSA on probably more than two dozen occasions. You are right Melensdad, that the regulations do not tell you whether hiking poles are allowed. All we know is that ski poles are not allowed and walking aids are allowed. People are also correct to point out that TSA agents do have a fair amount of discretion. But all I can say is that I have never had a problem, I always carry my poles onboard with me. For years I did what sjstabile did, which is to put my poles in a cardboard tube and check them. But then one year they didn't show up in Madrid, and I had to make a dash to a sports store before my AVE train left from Atocha. It wasn't fun. So I decided to try to carry them on and have been happy to find that no one objects. I bring a duffel bag so they can always be checked at the last minute if need be. Once I arrive in Spain, I then send that duffel bag up to my Santiago destination so it's there when I finish my camino.
Getting the poles through Spanish security -- I frequently transfer in Madrid to an intra-Spain flight at Barajas. (Last year was to Bilbao, year before to Valencia, etc.) When you arrive on an international flight and transfer to a domestic flight in T4, you have to go through security again. So I can also tell you that I have had no problem carrying my poles through security in Madrid. (I cannot tell you, though, if you make a transfer in London or some other European capital, what your odds are, I only fly directly into Spain from the US).
HOWEVER, I know that the Santiago airport security does not allow carry-on hiking poles, no how no way. That's why having my duffel waiting for me in Santiago makes the return trip much easier, since I just pack them up and check them, along with whatever goodies I've bought in Santiago to fill the bag.
I know it's possible you'll get hit with a cantankerous TSA agent who will decide to make you check them. But I've done this on so many hiking trips within the US as well as on my camino trips, that I feel fairly confident in saying that you are likely to have no problem. Buen camino, Laurie
I'm going to try it but I'm not going to depend on it. My walking partner's son was a TSA agent who said that it is entirely up to the agent, i.e., don't rely on anything.I had the kind of poles (Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z0Pole Trekking Poles) that get small enough to go into my pack in their own bag and had rubber tips on the poles. I was able to take them in my carry-on pack both to and from Spain from the United States.
Us too. From USA to France and back from Spain, no checked baggage and poles (Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z0Pole Trekking Poles) folded in carry-on. Also, some places don't allow poles into the rooms, so we always folded and stashed before we checked in. Never a problem. It's true, though, that the TSA agent is the law when you are standing there!Me too. They just collapse and go in your pack, which you can carry on. On the way back from Spain I just checked the whole pack, as it would no longer be a disaster if it were lost. I just put the whole pack with the collapsed poles through the xray. But just skip the knife and buy one in Spain.
Yes, that has been my frustration. I have written theTSA message center several times, specifically asking if I can bring light weight collapsible hiking poles in my carry on, and have gotten their standard answer that you show above. I did speak to a TSA agent at our airport (Sacramento) and he said, tell the agent these are "mobility aids", wink, wink. So I am weighing whether I will take the chance and get them through TSA check points or if I mail them ahead to the hotel we will stay in when we arrive in Spain to walk the Camino in September. Am leaning to mailing ahead. BobbieAnd that is the main problem.
Qustions go unanswered.
Annie, have you been prevented from carrying on your poles at a US airport? If so, you will be the first person I know to have had that experience. I have carried poles through TSA at airports all over the country more than two dozen times and have never had a problem.I have taken my poles on some flights and not allowed on others.
I've had my checked poles opened when they were secured in a shipping tube.
Coming back from Spain last year, the security took Joe's good poles away - literally.
No time to check them before the flight.
Just seems to depend on whether or not the person's in a good mood, frankly.
I no longer take poles.
I buy either a wooden one or a cheap set there and leave it when I return.
That way I don't have to worry about TSA or another pilgrim taking them.
Annie, have you been prevented from carrying on your poles at a US airport? If so, you will be the first person I know to have had that experience. I have carried poles through TSA at airports all over the country more than two dozen times and have never had a problem.
I know things are different in santiago but I've also carried my poles on in Madrid at least five times and again never a problem.
Last time I flew US Air, I called and asked about carrying on poles and was told absolutely not.
Maybe the key is not to ask???
In Madrid, they took Joe's good poles away when he tried to carry them on!
There was a container of poles sitting there - some really nice!
It really pissed Joe off! lol! So much he tried to break them, but failed.
There was no time to check them so they were left.
Well the government is clearly here to help us so I went to the TSA website to try to get an answer to the question. I figured the TSA should be the final arbitor of this, right?
Here is what I found:
On the page of PROHIBITED items . . . http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items
Then on another page with a graphic I found . . . http://blog.tsa.gov/2013/03/tsa-prohibited-items-list-changing_5.html ~~~but a disclaimer on the same page says the implementation th rules allowing the items pictured has been delayed~~~Baseball Bats NO OKItem Carry-on? Checked?
Bows and Arrows NO OK
Cricket Bats NO OK
Golf Clubs NO OK
Hockey Sticks NO OK
Lacrosse Sticks NO OK
Pool Cues NO OK
Skates (including ice skates and rollerblades) OK OK
Ski Poles NO OK
Spear Guns NO OK
For more information, please read our Traveling with Special Items section.
View media item 2273
The most current PDF download of the TSA Prohibited Items brochure currently shows, on page 2, that Ski Poles are approved for CHECKED baggage but NOT for CARRY ON into the cabin.
LINK => http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/assets/prohibiteditems_brochure.pdf
I was denied.Still have not seen a report from someone who has been denied.
That event happened to be Iberia Airlines. But I'm a frequent flyer with American, British Airways and United and I've had to check poles in luggage with B/A and United. Can't recall if I've flown with poles on American in the past few years.Which airlines do you use, Melensdad?
That event happened to be Iberia Airlines. But I'm a frequent flyer with American, British Airways and United and I've had to check poles in luggage with B/A and United. Can't recall if I've flown with poles on American in the past few years.
What was the trigger to have these airlines reinspect your pack?
I've been selected as well. Perhaps as a single female with full price recent ticket...but I think it's random. All part of the charade to make the sheep feel safe.Dark curly hair, a beard, and traveling without checked luggage. Sometimes traveling alone. Sometimes traveling without a return ticket.
Perhaps but I was pulled out of every line for additional security on every flight for years after 9/11 until I shaved my beard off.I've been selected as well. Perhaps as a single female with full price recent ticket...but I think it's random. All part of the charade to make the sheep feel safe.
Actually it didn't bother me. Clearly I was being profiled and I was totally fine with that. While I happen to be Catholic and have no (known) middle eastern blood/traits in my body I've been confused by Jewish friends as being a Jew and by many as an Arab on more occasions than I could count. I apparently just have (or had as I've since turned grey) 'the look' and clearly some of my business flights were same day round trip hops without luggage so I fit some of the profiles....
Sorry you get special attention.
...
Yes and no.Let's not forget that TSA is a US organisation. Its rule do not have to apply to the rest of the world...
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