Collapsible hiking poles

[Jerronymo]

Anyone had any experience with getting collapsible (fold up) poles through airport security checkpoints in carryon baggage.
In particular when exiting Australia and Spain?

 

[C clearly]

Anyone had any experience

I have added the tag "walking poles/sticks" under the title of this thread. If you click on it, I expect that you will find a few threads discussing people's experiences.

Also see this thread for the TL;DR version.

(For a discussion of what TL;DR means, see this other thread starting about post #163.)

 

[Lindsay53]

In Australia they are effectively not permitted as carry on. While a walking stick is a mobility aid and is allowed, hiking poles, even though they collapse , are more akin to ski poles, which are prohibited. You may get away with it depending on the individual at security, however the chances are they will be taken from you. Better to check them.

 

[Kathar1na]

see this thread

Hi @Jerronymo! Everyone who replies to your question ought to first read the thread linked above before replying because it accurately provides the general picture. This thread consists of a single post and I did read it . The reader will notice that the last sentence in the linked thread has been deleted as it is no longer up to date (it said: specifically, on leaving Santiago, the rule is very strictly applied - you will certainly not be allowed to carry poles into the cabin. However, all most airlines will check your poles for free from Santiago)

Numerous - really numerous - posters have reported that Santiago airport does not prohibit walking poles as carry-on items. Some pilgrims even checked with security staff and had this policy confirmed to them.

I have no recent experience but I saw this post on Facebook from a pilgrim yesterday who was leaving Santiago on a Vueling flight to the Netherlands. It says: Rules have recently changed at Santiago airport. I wanted to check in a box with my walking poles when the woman at the counter said I could just attach them to my backpack. I did and I passed through security without any problems.

The photo that accompanies the post shows the poles attached on the side of the backpack. They would not fit inside as they are much longer than the backpack. A big change at Santiago airport compared to recent years.

 

[KJFSophie]

Anyone had any experience with getting collapsible (fold up) poles through airport security checkpoints in carryon baggage.
In particular when exiting Australia and Spain?

I've found that by breaking the poles down to the smallest size, covering ends with rubber tips, and individually binding them tightly with numerous layers of plastic wrap works. I was told this by an acquaintance working airport security. It renders them less threatening and somehow gets them through. I've placed them one on each side inside of my pack opting to take a few things out that can easily be placed under the seat. You can go on the sites of the airlines and also the security agencies ( in USA, it's TSA ) and check their current regulations. They do change them if there are heightened threats / tension.
In past years I actually had physician notes stating they were necessary walking assistive devices for stability...( feel strongly that was not untruthful..haha )

 

[Mlambere]

I took mine threw Edinburgh Airport and security were fine........on my way to Santander.

 

[Gilad]

In my experience, not a problem in the US (got through security heading to Portugal and France), but heading back from Santiago in 2021 and going through security at the airport I was not allowed to take the poles (4 section collapsible) through security there and had to leave them as I was not checking any luggage. Mine were cheap and kind of broken so I did not think twice about it but if you have more expensive poles you may want to send them in checked luggage coming back.

 

[mattythedog]

Yes, I have always carried my z poles inside carry on, even through Santiago airport. Last month I saw a man at the gate with his rather long telescoping poles, one attached to each side of his pack and clearly visible.

 

[trecile]

Yes, I have always carried my z poles inside carry on, even through Santiago airport. Last month I saw a man at the gate with his rather long telescoping poles, one attached to each side of his pack and clearly visible.

Yes, there's apparently been a change of policy at Santiago airport.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I've found that by breaking the poles down to the smallest size, covering ends with rubber tips, and individually binding them tightly with numerous layers of plastic wrap works. I was told this by an acquaintance working airport security. It renders them less threatening and somehow gets them through.

There are always exceptions. Last year I decided to try to bring my collapsible telescoping pole with its huge rubber tip back to the US from Madrid airport. I had it in my son's backpack, but it was still removed at security. I asked the agent why and he held it up and pretended to hit me over the head with it...still considered a weapon.

 

[jillianbausch]

Anyone had any experience with getting collapsible (fold up) poles through airport security checkpoints in carryon baggage.
In particular when exiting Australia and Spain?

Don't do it in Madrid. They took my $150 poles.

 

[mattythedog]

Don't do it in Madrid. They took my $150 poles.

I carried trekking poles through Madrid airport about 12 times in last 8 years in carryon, sometimes through multiple security scans on heightened alert situations with no issue

 

[Jeronymopiy]

I carried trekking poles through Madrid airport about 12 times in last 8 years in carryon, sometimes through multiple security scans on heightened alert situations with no issue

It would be good if all security screening around the world were consistent. Anyway, the BD Z carbons will have to stay home and not participate on this hike.

 

[Lindsay53]

It would be good if all security screening around the world were consistent. Anyway, the BD Z carbons will have to stay home and not participate on this hike.

You can easily find cheap but effective ones at Decathlon.

 

[mattythedog]

It would be good if all security screening around the world were consistent. Anyway, the BD Z carbons will have to stay home and not participate on this hike.

So sorry to hear you lost your poles Jeronymopiy, and will not be taking the Z's. I consider the carbon Zs to be an essential part of my Camino ultralight kit. Base weight about 8 lbs/3.5 kilo. I carry a doctor's letter stating I must have the poles at all times in case my chronic Achilles tendonitis becomes a problem, which is true. I also remove the carbide tips and put the poles in my 8 liter drybag that contains all spare clothes and sleeping bag. The bag is fully labeled with my name and address in case security does find the poles and requires me to check them. Never had to invoke plan A or B.

FYI All: The carbon Z's weigh about half that of those cheap poles and are much more maneuverable when negotiating rocky terrain, and they break down quickly to keep in my pack when entering albergues, etc. I now have 2 first-hand accounts of people who have had one or two poles stolen from the albergue bin in the last year. I do have my name and email stickered on each pole in case of loss. I have a couple womens hair ties on a handle to rapidly lock the poles together during quick stops.

Buen Camino!!

 

[jillianbausch]

I carried trekking poles through Madrid airport about 12 times in last 8 years in carryon, sometimes through multiple security scans on heightened alert situations with no issue

Lucky you didn't get the same agent I did.

 

[henrythedog]

I seriously think ‘we’ ought to cease replying with any degree of certainty to this interminable question.

I try (and often fail) to only give advice of which I am certain, erring on the side of caution- cf the passport photocopy question - but on the topic of poles, all one can offer is personal experience with the caveat that anyone else’s experience may differ.

Until recently the rules - which inexplicably differed between airports in the same jurisdiction - were clear, but applied inconsistently. @C clearly did a heroic job of setting that out.

Now it seems that the rules are no longer clear; change without notice or explanation, and continue to be applied inconsistently.

 

[C clearly]

Now it seems that the rules are no longer clear; change without notice or explanation, and continue to be applied inconsistently.

But interesting that my summary remains true!

 

[WGroleau]

Don't do it in Madrid. They took my $150 poles.

What makes them worth $150? I traveled without any, and the pair I bought in Spain for €10 each seemed just fine to me.

 

[Wooz]

Just traveled through Lisbon and NYC Kennedy and folding poles bought at Decatholon in the outside pocket of my carryon backpack sailed right through. I was shocked! They’ll be donated to my local Camino group.