Santiago Airport - No walking poles allowed

[bryans]

Just returned from the Camino. We were not allowed to carry our folded down walking poles that we had in our back pack hand luggage on to the plane despite being able to take these through other airports. Luckily they were not expensive but be warned.

 

[scikowski]

Yes, I had the same experience last year. I decided to check my backpack instead of leaving the pole in Santiago. I thought later that I could have faked a limp and used the pole as a cane. I believe they will let you take them on the plane if they are "necessary".

 

[BeaC]

I just flew out of Santiago on Ryanair on May 15th and had my folded down hiking pole in a pouch hooked to the outside of my pack. They let me pass without any problems.
I guess they do whatever each day. They gave me more trouble with a souvenir owl dressed like a pigrim I bought. I had to unpack my backpack for it.

Bea

 

[grayland]

For some reason, Santiago seems to have a real problem with walking sticks....no other international airport has such a consistent denial. They must have a huge collection of sticks they have confiscated..hmmm wonder what is done with them.

It is particularly bad that they seem to be attacking the very basic element of their city's heritage.

 

[Caminando]

For some reason, Santiago seems to have a real problem with walking sticks....no other international airport has such a consistent denial. They must have a huge collection of sticks they have confiscated..hmmm wonder what is done with them.

It is particularly bad that they seem to be attacking the very basic element of their city's heritage.

Agreed ...

I broke my stick over my knee before I gave it to the knucklehead who said I couldnt pass with it.

 

[markss]

If one wanted to perpetrate an attack on an airplane with a makeshift weapon, given a choice between a walking stick or a simple pen, which would they choose?

The sheer size of the walking stick would limit the element of surprise as an offense is about to occur. It is unwieldy as a weapon, thus easier for a potential victim and assisting passengers to defend against. The damage that a walking stick could potentially inflict on a victim is limited. This is a terrible thought, but a forceful jab of a pen into someone’s neck or other area of the body could be far more effective in inflicting harm.

Sometimes the less obvious should be of more concern. In the horrific "9/11" 2001 attacks on US airplanes, small hand held box cutters were the weapon of choice.

I have not been allowed to carry a walking stick on airplanes in Santiago, Malaga, Madrid and Atlanta. No one ever took exception to the pens in my possession.

Sometimes rules are not established in the manner that the logic of rational minds might dictate.

 

[MikeB]

On a more light-hearted note, in summer 2007, one enterprising pilgrim had checked in his pole - and it arrived at Barcelona shell intact!

Mike

 

[wdbillingsley]

Security let us bring a folded pole through on the flight from Madrid but, on the return, it was refused. However we went back out and Ryan Air checked the pole without charge . It did arrive in Madrid and we saw a couple of other poles that also had been checked.

 

[carolgibney]

So am I to understand if you check it in you will be fine but if you try to carry it on board there could be a problem?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Yes, you can always check poles; it is getting them into an aircraft cabin that sometimes is a problem. The security policy is inconsistently followed.

 

[WolverineDG]

It's always six of one, half a dozen of the other. I was able to get a very large bottle of sunscreen on board my flight home in 2007 in Spain, where there had recently been a thwarted ETA bombing in Logrono & while the airport & security were still on high alert. Yet, when I had to go through security again in Newark, I was told it was "too large" & therefore had to be confiscated "for my safety."

In Seattle, I very often forget to take out my plastic baggie for "separate screening." Once I got caught & got a severe talking to. Several other times, nothing is ever said. And I honestly did forget each of those times, since I specifically put that "Plastic Baggie of Safety" right on top in my carry-on so I can snag it easily.

So, no walking sticks, no "dangerous" shampoos or sunscreens unless they are 3 oz or less & secured by a zip-loc plastic baggie, but oh, what's this? lighters & matches, no problemo!

And those in charge of security wonder why we laymen & women think it's all just a damn joke.

Kelly

 

[Beverley]

If you wrap your poles and knife and send it through bag check special services, it will go through no proble,. Special services is where people take their bikes, etc.

Bev

 

[PilgrimChris]

I would humbly suggest that if you have luggage going into the hold then put your walking poles in with it. Never had a need for poles whilst checking in and out of airports
If you only have 'cabin' luggage then most telescopic poles will fit inside and if you wrap them in a jumper or pair of trousers etc inside your luggage you should not experience any problems.

It really is common sense not to try and walk onto a plane with a stick unless you need one for medical reasons. It is not a just a matter of how easy or not it can be used as a weapon - there is the issue of it causing an obstruction or another passenger injuring themselves on it.Compensation claims on flights are increasing drastically.

If in doubt check with the airline and airport beforehand.

PC

 

[Ibcus]

We didn't take walking sticks with us, we bought them when we arrived.

On the way home we flew from Santiago to Dublin with Aer Lingus, they wouldn't let us take the sticks on the plane but checked them in for free.

From Dublin it was Ryanair to Manchester, I bet you can guess they wouldn't let us on board with them or check them in for free.

They wanted 50euros to check them in.

I had become very attached to my stick and almost sobbed when it had to be left in Dublin.

 

[+@^^]

the debate and uncertainty regarding the carriage of poles caused me some distress in my planning stages
and not wanting to leave it to chance at check-in
i stripped my poles down to their 3 individual components
and stuck the sharp ends inside my trusty crocs, one shoe each end
and then put them inside my backpack
no problem, no debate, no anxiety
.
so - another good reason to carry crocs on the camino

 

[scikowski]

Has anyone here ever had sticks refused if they are collapsed and carried inside the pack? Just wondering for next time!