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Trail Trekkers

Jim Flores

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2017
My husband and I are walking the Camino in late August thru September and found out that TSA rules do not allow trekking poles as carry on luggage. Does anyone have suggestions for transporting these? We are traveling from Montana USA to either Paris or Bayonne. OR...would you suggest purchasing them when we reach destination? Also - we are flying in Economy status, and United appears to have the best rates, but their information states that in Economy we are only allowed one personal item on the plane - and no carry-on bags. Anyone else have an experience with this? Thanks for any information you can offer. This forum group is awesome!
 
Altus ANDES 400 H30 sleeping bag
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
With a standard economy seat with United you can have a carry on plus a personal item, and their transatlantic flights include one checked bag.
United has recently introduced a cheaper "basic economy" fare that does not include luggage, I therefore than a personal item, but I don't believe they offer this fare class on international routes.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx

Are you booking directly on the United site? If so, it should be clear what us included. I don't recommend booking with third parties, other than very well known ones like Expedia and Orbitz. There are many that are a nightmare to deal with.

Many people report that they have successfully brought their poles in their carry on, but I wouldn't want to take the chance, seeing as the TSA says they are prohibited.

You can buy your poles in Spain. I saw them in many stores at very good prices.
 
I have a United branded Visa Card that I use when I book flights with them. I get free checked bags and I've always brought on carry-on. Check their website. If you have purchased some new form of cheaper economy you may in fact not have a carry on option. I don't recommend checking your backpacks. What will you do if they are delayed in transfer? Is the savings worth taking the chance that you will arrive without all your gear?
We carried on our packs and checked a separate bag with our poles, knife, and some other clothing items for post Camino travel.
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.

Thank you so much, Trecile and Alaska diver! We were not aware of the difference between economy and basic economy. So good to know! Taking all of your advice to heart. Buen Camino!
 
Jim Flores said:
Thank you so much, Trecile and Alaska diver! We were not aware of the difference between economy and basic economy. So good to know! Taking all of your advice to heart. Buen Camino!
Click to expand...
As I said before, I'm pretty sure that the "basic economy" fares are for domestic US flights only, so carry on shouldn't be an issue. Some people bring a tube to put their poles in and check them, along with pocket knives, etc. That way you're not checking your entire pack, just a few easily replaceable items.
 
Always check in my pack with or without the poles .
Works for me just fine,the poles are not allowed in the cabin anyway so why bother to do a sepperate check in for the poles .

Wish you well,Peter.
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I just looked on United for flights from Great Falls (I don't know what airport you're flying from) to Paris and Basic economy was not offered. Be aware though that you may actually be flying on Lufthansa, not a United plane, as United code shares with them. This means that you might not be able to choose your own seats.
 
I took the poles apart and put them in a tube with safety pins and nail clippers. I checked them in, and because of the shape of the tube, they were in "special luggage". When I arrived in Paris, they were very easy to pick up at the special luggage desk. I would not hesitate to do that again. You can normally get a tube at mail boxes etc.
We have them in Italy. Don't know about Spain. I purchased some souvenirs in Madrid, so for the return flight I bought an inexpensive suitcase for poles and goodies.
 
Safety pins and nail clippers are allowed in carry on luggage.
http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=safety
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Go to a shipping store and get a mailing tube. Put the poles in, tape it shut, and check it.

The only gear I worry about losing in checked luggage are my boots because they're broken in. Everything else can be easily, if expensively, replaced.
 

Buy them in St Jean, not expensive, way less hassle and then leave them in Santiago for someone else. That is what I did.
 
We stuck our collapsible poles in our backpacks and checked our packs .. no problem at all
 
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If you already have your favorite pair of sticks, you'll have to check them in somehow. Otherwise consider buying them at your destination.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
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