Santiago Airport-trekking poles and checked bags

Quinranda · May 13, 2016

Sorry if this has been asked 1,000,000,000 times but...I am booking a flight from Santiago back to Madrid before my return flight home. Do ALL airlines out of Santiago require collapsible trekking poles to be checked baggage? I am traveling with my daughter and hoping that if we HAVE to check our poles, we can at least only check one backpack, not two. I'm comparing the cost of the airlines and Ryan seems cheap until all the add-ons.
Thanks in advance!

beiramar · May 13, 2016

It's not the airlines making these decisions, nor the airport. The ICAO made rules and regulations, published by IATA, are valid for all of civil aviation.
Of course different employees may still eventually imply slightly different rules.
But metal poles are considered a potential threat and not allowed in carry-on luggage.

Quinranda · May 14, 2016

beiramar said:
It's not the airlines making these decisions, nor the airport. The ICAO made rules and regulations, published by IATA, are valid for all of civil aviation.
Of course different employees may still eventually imply slightly different rules.
But metal poles are considered a potential threat and not allowed in carry-on luggage.

So my question is if I should definitely prepay for one checked bag from Santiago and put both sets of poles in it? It's much cheaper to prepay than to pay at the airport.

peregrina2000 · May 14, 2016

Quinranda said:
So my question is if I should definitely prepay for one checked bag from Santiago and put both sets of poles in it? It's much cheaper to prepay than to pay at the airport.

Hi, Quinranda,
I always check my poles for the trip home from Santiago. My experience is that there is an iron-clad prohibition against carrying on hiking poles. Yes, you should definitely prepay for one checked bag if it's cheaper to do ahead of time. Buen camino, Laurie

Angelo · May 14, 2016

I agree with peregrina2000. On my flight out of Santiago last year, there were heaps of abandoned trekking poles at the RyanAir boarding gate. It makes sense to check the trekking poles in.

Quinranda · May 14, 2016

Thanks so much for your helpful responses. I'd rather pay a little money to check one bag than to leave 2 sets of nice poles behind.

Ahhhs · May 14, 2016

I just returned from Santiago on Iberia. I only had my backpack as carry on luggage. I gave them my trekking pole at check in and carried on my pack. There was no charge for my pole and it made its way from Santiago to Madrid and on to Los Angeles. Picked it up there in baggage claim. No charge and no problem.

crackmrmac · May 14, 2016

I can also confirm Aer Lingus check poles free of charge. Security in airport alerted me to this a few years ago.

Silverton · May 14, 2016

This is a conundrum that has bugged me for ages! Yes, Santiago airport security tell you that poles go free in the hold, but I've never been told that by the airlines beforehand! I have seen taped poles arrive on the baggage carousel from my flights to Dublin. (On my outward flight, I never have a problem with the poles taken-apart in my backpack, in the cabin.) It's interesting that the same 'allowance' may apply to flights to the US, so why don't the airlines tell us so that we can check the poles in before going through airport security??? (Or maybe they do say so, if one knows to ask?)

Bonita · May 14, 2016

I took a train to Madrid. Flew out of Madrid, straight to Panama on Iberia. I had my poles attached to my backpack, and my backpack went on the plane with me. My poles were no problem, but my 6 oz. of sun screen was confiscated. I guess sunscreen is more dangerous.

crackmrmac · May 14, 2016

Quintana, the requirement to check poles at Santiago is by security. We wouldn't like you to loose your poles, so specifically you need to know will Ryanair check your poles free of charge.
I suspect the only way to get answer is for someone to ask at Ryanair desk in Santiago. I may be there in July.
When poles are in your carry on bag only security know it, not the airline. (Travelling to US may be different if pre clearance is in operation, as carry on bags are screened also in US controlled area of airport.)

dduroy · May 14, 2016

A little off topic, but last week flying back to Madrid from Santiago, my wife forgot to place the three pocket knives we purchased in checked bag. Security caught them, but allowed her to take on the plane. I was shocked, but I guess it is at their discretion.

crackmrmac · May 15, 2016

dduroy, were blades longer than 6cm?

SYates · May 16, 2016

Quinranda said:
... I am traveling with my daughter and hoping that if we HAVE to check our poles, we can at least only check one backpack, not two. I'm comparing the cost of the airlines and Ryan seems cheap until all the add-ons.
Thanks in advance!

Easy solution, pack everything that could be a problem in one bag and check that in, pack all the other things in the other bag. Buen Camino, SY

whariwharangi · May 16, 2016

Quinranda said:
Sorry if this has been asked 1,000,000,000 times but...I am booking a flight from Santiago back to Madrid before my return flight home. Do ALL airlines out of Santiago require collapsible trekking poles to be checked baggage? I am traveling with my daughter and hoping that if we HAVE to check our poles, we can at least only check one backpack, not two. I'm comparing the cost of the airlines and Ryan seems cheap until all the add-ons.
Thanks in advance!

Aena manages all airports in Spain. Here is a list of stuff prohibited by EU law as hand luggage. (the airlines have no say).
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/aeropuertos/en/Page/1048753077970/

whariwharangi · May 16, 2016

Silverton said:
This is a conundrum that has bugged me for ages! Yes, Santiago airport security tell you that poles go free in the hold, but I've never been told that by the airlines beforehand! I have seen taped poles arrive on the baggage carousel from my flights to Dublin. (On my outward flight, I never have a problem with the poles taken-apart in my backpack, in the cabin.) It's interesting that the same 'allowance' may apply to flights to the US, so why don't the airlines tell us so that we can check the poles in before going through airport security??? (Or maybe they do say so, if one knows to ask?)

That's because you are expected to be responsible enough to find the list and check it. The very fact that you are asking the question means that you know the poles could be used as a weapon ... so why be stupid about it?

Here in canuckstan there was serious discussion about laying criminal charges for people who show up at security with a bottle of water.

Quinranda · May 17, 2016

So another question...is it easy/possible to just mail poles back to USA from Santiago? Would this be cheaper than a $40 bag fee? And would it be reliable? thanks again

whariwharangi · May 17, 2016

Quinranda said:
So another question...is it easy/possible to just mail poles back to USA from Santiago? Would this be cheaper than a $40 bag fee? And would it be reliable? thanks again

Its reliable. I've mailed excess gear home.

The larger problem is the post office in your country. Mine sent back a package to Argentina after I had not picked it up in the two week period allowed ... and I wasn't home from my trip. You need to make arrangements with the post office before you leave apparently.

Here is Correos España website where you can get costs.
http://www.correos.es/ss/Satellite/site/pagina-inicio/info

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