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Sorry, had to vent. We will now return to normal programming...
I will be walking the Camino in August/September. I will leave from Dulles and am wondering if it is possible to take my backpack and poles as carry on luggage? Please give me any pointers about this as I would really like to have my backpack and poles with me. Thanks Jerry
Though I applaud t2andreo and his rant about our safety, all quite valid, I do see the third way that Gerard discusses: Make a simple shipping tube for your pools and sharps to be checked baggage and carry on your backpack. I've lost or had checked baggage delayed too many times to let my gear go from my possesion, save for those unsafe items, which I understand.In short, some international airlines will allow poles onboard, some will not.
You run the risk of having them confiscated.
Consider packaging them in a tube with other articles like knives etc, and having them accompanying you in the hold.
Your backpack should be within the prescibed limits. Usually 7 kilos max, and 55cm in height.
Regards
Gerard
I have, many times, explained in this Forum that trying to carry hiking poles onboard any commercial airliner is a gamble. The tungsten steel tips on these poles automatically make them a stabbing weapon. This is something flight attendants fear, and which most security screening organizations forbid, for obvious and good reason.
That said, I will neither argue nor debate the anecdotal stories of one pilgrim or another, who claims to have taken their poles onboard an airliner. They are stories. They may or may not be totally correct. I will not go there,
What I do know is that, as someone who has survived flying over one million actual seat miles globally, I DO NOT WANT YOUR STEEL-TIPPED POLES IN MY CABIN. If I see them passing through security, I WILL speak up. You will lose your poles. I do not care. My safety trumps your convenience every time.
Aviation security is not a joke or a game. It is a matter of life and death, and it is incumbent on all of us to not cut corners, and if we see something, to say something.
My often used and always successful method for transporting my loaded 48 liter rucksack, with all sharp objects in the waist belt pockets, and poles with rubber tips, either attached to the outside or slid inside, is to place the entire assembly into s brightly colored nylon laundry bag.
The bag is secured with a DESTINATION address tag for where I expect, and have reservations, to sleep the first night fastened to the tied pull string. The bright color ensures that my bag is unique and easily identified. The destination tag helps ensure that, if separated, my bag will find me, instead of being returned to my point of origin -home, totally counter-productive.
On arrival, in the secure baggage area, I remove my rucksack from the laundry sack. The laundry bag is folded and stuffed into a rucksack pocket. It will be used as a laundry bag, rucksack liner, and for the return journey. I shoulder my rucksack, and we are off.
The only things that do not travel in my checked rucksack are my identity papers, all valuables, electronics, and prescription medications. Everything is replaceable except for these items. It works out to about six liters in total volume for me. I must carry far more medications than most pilgrims.
When I process my rucksack, still in the secure baggage area, I move these items from the 20-liter sil-nylon daypack I use as my carry-on bag. The day pack then rides in its hockey-puck-sized nylon carry bag attached to my underarm rucksack strap, right side.
This method WORKS. I use it regularly, including on my last three Caminos. I am sitting in Plaza Quintana right now, enjoying a Cerveza while listening to "the Jazz Man of Santiago." This guy is a great guitar player, and almost worth the cost and effort just to get here to listen to him. If you've been, you know what I mean.
I hope this helps. We really need to put this issue to rest. I sense far too many folks are trying to game the system. Well, you are playing with MY LIFE.
So, I take your considered evasion of aviation security as a threat to my personal safety. Thus, this is personal.
I advocate that the "official position" of the Forum should be to NOT try to subvert aviation security, and to ALWAYS check your loaded rucksack, poles, and all sharp objects that could conceivably be weaponized. This cat and mouse game needs to STOP!
Sorry, had to vent. We will now return to normal programming...
I can almost guarantee you will have a problem at Santiago.I hope Madrid airport and Santiago airport have no problems with that too
Well, what about people trained in killing with their bare hands or people trained in karate and so on.????
I find that more scaring than some poles and who knows who the other passangers are.? One will never know.
I packed all in my backpack and did carry on for that (50 l Osprey that I strapped tight so it didn't look that big.
However my poles and pocket knife I wrapped in some bubble wrap and packing tape and put it in a bag that is a folding sports chair cover. My poles were folded so I could make the bag shorter by simply putting a knot in the shoulder strap. I will add the picture. It worked great. I simply carried this light cover bad with me so I could use it a gain on my flight back. ps I have cheap $40 "pacemaker "poles that worked GREAT! ...(so NOT pacer). So if the bag doesn't arrive ....so be it and I will get new poles in SJPP or so.
Well, what about people trained in killing with their bare hands or people trained in karate and so on.????
I find that more scaring than some poles and who knows who the other passangers are.? One will never know.
Well now...if I only indeed did bring that chair too !!!! It would come in handy now and thenLets see ... the pole is useful for going down hill when tired ...
The chair I could sit in and rest when tired ...
Eeermmmm ... I think the chair is a much better idea than a pole.
And it can't be used as a weapon ... so it should be allowed as cabin baggage ...
I wonder if they'd get upset if you used one in the plane when the seating is too short for your knees?
Gamble is the word. With security issues I'm choosing to buy poles in SJPP before starting. In 2013 I carried them on the whole way both there and back and flying out of Santiago. A gamble it is... I fly out tomorrowI have, many times, explained in this Forum that trying to carry hiking poles onboard any commercial airliner is a gamble. The tungsten steel tips on these poles automatically make them a stabbing weapon. This is something flight attendants fear, and which most security screening organizations forbid, for obvious and good reason.
That said, I will neither argue nor debate the anecdotal stories of one pilgrim or another, who claims to have taken their poles onboard an airliner. They are stories. They may or may not be totally correct. I will not go there,
What I do know is that, as someone who has survived flying over one million actual seat miles globally, I DO NOT WANT YOUR STEEL-TIPPED POLES IN MY CABIN. If I see them passing through security, I WILL speak up. You will lose your poles. I do not care. My safety trumps your convenience every time.
Aviation security is not a joke or a game. It is a matter of life and death, and it is incumbent on all of us to not cut corners, and if we see something, to say something.
My often used and always successful method for transporting my loaded 48 liter rucksack, with all sharp objects in the waist belt pockets, and poles with rubber tips, either attached to the outside or slid inside, is to place the entire assembly into s brightly colored nylon laundry bag.
The bag is secured with a DESTINATION address tag for where I expect, and have reservations, to sleep the first night fastened to the tied pull string. The bright color ensures that my bag is unique and easily identified. The destination tag helps ensure that, if separated, my bag will find me, instead of being returned to my point of origin -home, totally counter-productive.
On arrival, in the secure baggage area, I remove my rucksack from the laundry sack. The laundry bag is folded and stuffed into a rucksack pocket. It will be used as a laundry bag, rucksack liner, and for the return journey. I shoulder my rucksack, and we are off.
The only things that do not travel in my checked rucksack are my identity papers, all valuables, electronics, and prescription medications. Everything is replaceable except for these items. It works out to about six liters in total volume for me. I must carry far more medications than most pilgrims.
When I process my rucksack, still in the secure baggage area, I move these items from the 20-liter sil-nylon daypack I use as my carry-on bag. The day pack then rides in its hockey-puck-sized nylon carry bag attached to my underarm rucksack strap, right side.
This method WORKS. I use it regularly, including on my last three Caminos. I am sitting in Plaza Quintana right now, enjoying a Cerveza while listening to "the Jazz Man of Santiago." This guy is a great guitar player, and almost worth the cost and effort just to get here to listen to him. If you've been, you know what I mean.
I hope this helps. We really need to put this issue to rest. I sense far too many folks are trying to game the system. Well, you are playing with MY LIFE.
So, I take your considered evasion of aviation security as a threat to my personal safety. Thus, this is personal.
I advocate that the "official position" of the Forum should be to NOT try to subvert aviation security, and to ALWAYS check your loaded rucksack, poles, and all sharp objects that could conceivably be weaponized. This cat and mouse game needs to STOP!
Sorry, had to vent. We will now return to normal programming...
Israeli airport security is still laughing at us.
'Hiking poles?' I'm talking belly laugh.
I don't think that your rant helped the dialog at all. (Using your words.)The entire point of my rant was to try and put an end to this incessant whining and conniving about how to bring something that is clearly not supposed to be in a airline passenger cabin, into that cabin. Where does it end?
Nope, I say put our collective, responsible foot down, for the sake of all who travel by air. This clearly applies to Csmino and non-Camino travel. But, then again, WE are supposed too set an example that others will seek to emulate.
I hope this helps the dialog.
I don't think that your rant helped the dialog at all. (Using your words.)
Sorry, t2andreo but I strongly dispute your characterization of what I and others say as "trying to game the system." That is simply inaccurate.
Of course everyone should do what he or she feels best comports with security regulations, but I still have never heard anyone say "TSA prevented me from taking my poles on a plane in the US." I have done it multiple times, well over 20 now, with full TSA knowledge. If TSA sees my poles as they go through the machine and watches as I pick them up at the other end, how can this possibly be described as gaming the system?
I think it's safe to say that there are two main groups of opinion in the US on this topic, and you and I are in different groups. You think that hiking poles should not be carried on, even though TSA routinely allows them. I have no problem with that, you are entitled to your opinion and to wish that TSA rules were otherwise. The other group, of which I'm a member, is always prepared to defer if a TSA agent should decide that the poles should not go on, but sees nothing at all improper with taking them on in plain view with TSA's approval.
So, according to a TSA official, trekking poles ARE allowed as carry on baggage. They are considered"walking aides" and fall into the same category as canes and crutches. Agents are not qualified to determine each passengers need and TSA is not interested in battling all the organizations that protect the rights of handicapped travelers by making a blanket ruling against poles. However, agents may exclude poles that have tips since they are not essential for walking - it is up to the agent's discretion, and apparently the majority of the time, they are allowed. The ideal would be to purchase poles with removable tips.
So, according to a TSA official, trekking poles ARE allowed as carry on baggage. They are considered"walking aides" and fall into the same category as canes and crutches. Agents are not qualified to determine each passengers need and TSA is not interested in battling all the organizations that protect the rights of handicapped travelers by making a blanket ruling against poles. However, agents may exclude poles that have tips since they are not essential for walking - it is up to the agent's discretion, and apparently the majority of the time, they are allowed. The ideal would be to purchase poles with removable tips.
I'm afraid even easyJet don't allow them in cabin baggage any more. Their website lists "ski and walking/hiking pole and crampons" as prohibited in the cabin.My VERY limited experience, for what it's worth - Ryanair do NOT permit walking poles on board. Easyjet DO permit them.
If I have a choice, I fly Easyjet. Apart from walking poles, I HATE that fanfare every time you land with Ryanair!
t2andreo - OUCH! "Game the system?" "A threat to your personal safety?" Seriously?????I have, many times, explained in this Forum that trying to carry hiking poles onboard any commercial airliner is a gamble. The tungsten steel tips on these poles automatically make them a stabbing weapon. This is something flight attendants fear, and which most security screening organizations forbid, for obvious and good reason.
That said, I will neither argue nor debate the anecdotal stories of one pilgrim or another, who claims to have taken their poles onboard an airliner. They are stories. They may or may not be totally correct. I will not go there,
What I do know is that, as someone who has survived flying over one million actual seat miles globally, I DO NOT WANT YOUR STEEL-TIPPED POLES IN MY CABIN. If I see them passing through security, I WILL speak up. You will lose your poles. I do not care. My safety trumps your convenience every time.
Aviation security is not a joke or a game. It is a matter of life and death, and it is incumbent on all of us to not cut corners, and if we see something, to say something.
I hope this helps. We really need to put this issue to rest. I sense far too many folks are trying to game the system. Well, you are playing with MY LIFE.
So, I take your considered evasion of aviation security as a threat to my personal safety. Thus, this is personal.
I advocate that the "official position" of the Forum should be to NOT try to subvert aviation security, and to ALWAYS check your loaded rucksack, poles, and all sharp objects that could conceivably be weaponized. This cat and mouse game needs to STOP!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tom. Well said. No apology necessary. Now lets get back to crucial questions like whether Gopher Wood or Joshua Tree is more authentic for a pilgrim staff.
Sorry, t2andreo but I strongly dispute your characterization of what I and others say as "trying to game the system." That is simply inaccurate.
Of course everyone should do what he or she feels best comports with security regulations, but I still have never heard anyone say "TSA prevented me from taking my poles on a plane in the US." I have done it multiple times, well over 20 now, with full TSA knowledge. If TSA sees my poles as they go through the machine and watches as I pick them up at the other end, how can this possibly be described as gaming the system?
I think it's safe to say that there are two main groups of opinion in the US on this topic, and you and I are in different groups. You think that hiking poles should not be carried on, even though TSA routinely allows them. I have no problem with that, you are entitled to your opinion and to wish that TSA rules were otherwise. The other group, of which I'm a member, is always prepared to defer if a TSA agent should decide that the poles should not go on, but sees nothing at all improper with taking them on in plain view with TSA's approval.
Patch,Maybe worth pointing out here that sometimes your luggage will not arrive when you do - happened this year on a hiking holiday/tramping holiday to New Zealand (also some years ago while walking the GR10 in France/Spain).
The further away you are from home the worse the inconvenience ( In Europe I can just pop back to the UK in a couple of hours and reschedule everything in the worse case). So I suggest that any one doing a long distance walk and are flying long distance with tents and bags etc. should build a couple of slack days into their schedule before starting off.
I am offended!
Peregina2000 and I have consistently agreed on this point.
I have carried my poles on for many years. They are not hidden or disguised in any way. They are in my pack with rubber tips on them.
I have always been prepared to have to check them if requested....but never, never have even been looked at by the TSA agents.
There is a TSA agent who is a Pilgrim that posts on the American Pilgrim Facebook page. He advises that he carries his poles on each time. He also says that the agents he works with agree that they are not prohibited and pass theem without question.
I am personally offended (as I know Laurie is also) by the accusation that we are doing anything dangerous, "gaming the system" or in any way doing anything illegal. There is no possible way that a pilgrims walking poles in their pack is a security danger to anyone on any airplane.
The tip on a walking pole is simply not sharp like a ski pole.
The fact is that up until now the TSA has consistently allowed poles to be carried in the cabin. No one has posted that they have been turned down (USA) in any of the many threads on this subject.
It is not believeable that the poles are not allowed in the face of this evidence. Thus...no one is "sneaking" the poles on board.
Whari, who am I to challenge your story, but I strongly dissuade anyone hiking in Colorado to take on a Coloradan bear with a hiking pole.If I were of a mind to ... and to be clear, I am not, ... I could do some serious damage with a trekking pole.
I once had a confrontation with a bear. I set my pole as if it were a spear ... it would have impaled itself had it continued its charge.
So go ahead and be offended. I too am offended when I am asked for my boarding pass a half dozen times on the premise that my security is somehow enhanced by it when clearly it is not.
Whari, who am I to challenge your story, but I strongly dissuade anyone hiking in Colorado to take on a Coloradan bear with a hiking pole.
When they find your remains, they will also find a fat, chuckling bear using the remains of your trekking pole as a toothpick, happily cleaning his teeth...
My VERY limited experience, for what it's worth - Ryanair do NOT permit walking poles on board. Easyjet DO permit them.
If I have a choice, I fly Easyjet. Apart from walking poles, I HATE that fanfare every time you land with Ryanair!
I am glad the incident turned out well enough with the bear, me, and my pole intact.
I have, many times, explained in this Forum that trying to carry hiking poles onboard any commercial airliner is a gamble. The tungsten steel tips on these poles automatically make them a stabbing weapon. This is something flight attendants fear, and which most security screening organizations forbid, for obvious and good reason.
That said, I will neither argue nor debate the anecdotal stories of one pilgrim or another, who claims to have taken their poles onboard an airliner. They are stories. They may or may not be totally correct. I will not go there,
What I do know is that, as someone who has survived flying over one million actual seat miles globally, I DO NOT WANT YOUR STEEL-TIPPED POLES IN MY CABIN. If I see them passing through security, I WILL speak up. You will lose your poles. I do not care. My safety trumps your convenience every time.
Aviation security is not a joke or a game. It is a matter of life and death, and it is incumbent on all of us to not cut corners, and if we see something, to say something.
My often used and always successful method for transporting my loaded 48 liter rucksack, with all sharp objects in the waist belt pockets, and poles with rubber tips, either attached to the outside or slid inside, is to place the entire assembly into s brightly colored nylon laundry bag.
The bag is secured with a DESTINATION address tag for where I expect, and have reservations, to sleep the first night fastened to the tied pull string. The bright color ensures that my bag is unique and easily identified. The destination tag helps ensure that, if separated, my bag will find me, instead of being returned to my point of origin -home, totally counter-productive.
On arrival, in the secure baggage area, I remove my rucksack from the laundry sack. The laundry bag is folded and stuffed into a rucksack pocket. It will be used as a laundry bag, rucksack liner, and for the return journey. I shoulder my rucksack, and we are off.
The only things that do not travel in my checked rucksack are my identity papers, all valuables, electronics, and prescription medications. Everything is replaceable except for these items. It works out to about six liters in total volume for me. I must carry far more medications than most pilgrims.
When I process my rucksack, still in the secure baggage area, I move these items from the 20-liter sil-nylon daypack I use as my carry-on bag. The day pack then rides in its hockey-puck-sized nylon carry bag attached to my underarm rucksack strap, right side.
This method WORKS. I use it regularly, including on my last three Caminos. I am sitting in Plaza Quintana right now, enjoying a Cerveza while listening to "the Jazz Man of Santiago." This guy is a great guitar player, and almost worth the cost and effort just to get here to listen to him. If you've been, you know what I mean.
I hope this helps. We really need to put this issue to rest. I sense far too many folks are trying to game the system. Well, you are playing with MY LIFE.
So, I take your considered evasion of aviation security as a threat to my personal safety. Thus, this is personal.
I advocate that the "official position" of the Forum should be to NOT try to subvert aviation security, and to ALWAYS check your loaded rucksack, poles, and all sharp objects that could conceivably be weaponized. This cat and mouse game needs to STOP!
Sorry, had to vent. We will now return to normal programming...
I travel from Ireland. I Carry my Rucksack on board. I can check in my walking poles, free of Charge.I will be walking the Camino in August/September. I will leave from Dulles and am wondering if it is possible to take my backpack and poles as carry on luggage? Please give me any pointers about this as I would really like to have my backpack and poles with me. Thanks Jerry
that sounds very simple and very sensible. I have this conundrum and followed this thread to find some answers. My concern is for safety, absolutely, but also the most fool proof way of getting my kit across to SJPP. I would be devastated if my back-pack would be left behind or lost. I'd rather have the option of buying new poles would they be lost. I saw the option for using a camping chair bag, great idea. Just in case, where in SJPP did you buy new poles? Do they carry a good selection?I bought some inexpensive poles in St.Jean and left them in Santiago. It would have cost more to check my backpack on the flights. Worked out great.
that sounds very simple and very sensible. I have this conundrum and followed this thread to find some answers. My concern is for safety, absolutely, but also the most fool proof way of getting my kit across to SJPP. I would be devastated if my back-pack would be left behind or lost. I'd rather have the option of buying new poles would they be lost. I saw the option for using a camping chair bag, great idea. Just in case, where in SJPP did you buy new poles? Do they carry a good selection?
Don't let something like this devastate you!I would be devastated if my back-pack would be left behind or lost.
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