To Take Hiking Poles As A Carry on or Not.....that is the question

[Ethel]

Hi All,

We are travelling to Paris from Montreal. In my effort to get a definitive answer about whether we need to check poles, I went to the Canadian TSA site. They clearly state that hiking/walking poles are not allowed as a carry on. Yes, they may be checked through. I actually felt relieved to get a definitive answer and although we would love to carry our Pacer Poles with us, at least we know for sure that it is not an option. Thought I'd share this with others who may be flying from a Canadian airport.

 

[gerardcarey]

IMO the safest approach to the "carry-on walking pole" debate, is to always forward them as hold luggage.
No matter who says what, at whatever level of authority, knowledge, expertise, or experience, the decision is often finally made at the plane door.
You want to take the chance?
Best of luck cobber.
Just don't take the chance at SDC airport.
The roomload of confiscated poles bears witness to their opinion.
Regds
Gerard

 

[nidarosa]

Another way to do it, at least from Europe, is to ship them to Ivar and pick them up from him - it will still be cheaper in many instances than paying for one item of hold luggage. I am going with my Osprey Tempest 30L pack as hand luggage and have sent my poles to Ivar. Apparently the reason so many airlines and security officers are wary of poles, is that they have a metal tip that means they can be used as a weapon. Not sure I would want others to have access to tungsten tipped alloy poles on my flight if they wanted to create trouble ... so maybe it's a good thing.

 

[Nonnie]

I am planning on putting both my Pacer poles and backpack inside a large, sturdy plastic bag and checking it at the airport.

 

[gerardcarey]

I am planning on putting both my Pacer poles and backpack inside a large, sturdy plastic bag and checking it at the airport.

That means you can also pack a little pocket knife to divide up a nice juicy orange to enjoy as you sit in the shade of a tree, or perhaps a spork with which you could consume a tasty little pot of yoghurt.
Two of my most enjoyable occupations when walking.
But perhaps you're pack is now overweight!
Life's just full of problems.
Regds
Gerard

 

[Robo]

Great advice I got here, was to pack my poles in mailing tubes. And check them in at the Airport.

It also allowed me to slip in things like liquids etc.

Compressed, the poles are only about a foot / 30 cm long. And the two tubes can be tightly tapped together.

Coming back I had to throw them away! Long story involving Ryanair, a baggage handlers strike and hence no checked in luggage allowed. Last time I use Ryan Air I can tell you.... (other reasons too)

 

[Kanga]

I have always checked in my backpack but obviously it would be easier not to do so. Mine is checked in because of size and poles, but I also wonder about the other odd metal objects that people routinely have in their backpacks. Small scissors, good tweezers and needles are among my most useful items. I guess it would be easy to buy them in Spain.

 

[2travelingsisters]

I went to the post office and bought a long mailing tube/box which we fit 2 or of poles in. I also taped my pocketknife to one of the poles. This got checked and my pack went in the overhead. On the way home, I put the poles in the pack and checked it thru.

 

[CaminoCruiser]

I checked my backpack in with the poles because it was slightly too large for the overhead storage in the cabin. I was more than happy to do this. Of course, I got to Paris but my luggage did not. Luckily I was spending the night in Biarritz and - thanks to the Biarritz airport staff who were amazing - I was reunited with my poles and luggage the next morning.

 

[tomnorth]

I went to the post office and bought a long mailing tube/box which we fit 2 or of poles in. I also taped my pocketknife to one of the poles. This got checked and my pack went in the overhead. On the way home, I put the poles in the pack and checked it thru.

This is brilliant! I just bought a mailing tube yesterday, but hadn't thought of doing this. My Leatherman, pocket knife and corkscrew will all fit in the tube, along with my poles.

 

[Elizabethanne]

I am planning to put my Pacer Poles into my pack and then putting into to checked luggage. My Aran pack is just long enough to fit them in. Hopefully all will arrive well in Biarritz and Paris.

 

[Misfitter]

http://www.pro-tector.co.uk/buyonline.html

This link maybe useful for some people. I am flying from Sydney and will check my pack and poles in and hope they arrive in Biarritz too !
I have bought the smallest of these packs and my 40ltr Deuter pack and poles fit in really well.