Air Travel with Walking Poles

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WanderingMermaid

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

September 2023 (planned)

• Jul 28, 2023

• #1

Hey everyone,

I am doing my first Camino (Portuguese centrale) in September and I am flying with American Airlines. I am worried I will get turned away at security for having walking poles but I wasn't planning on checking a bag (mostly so I don't have to worry about said bag not making it to its destination in time). I have never flown with this airline before and I am wondering if anyone has experience with carrying on their poles with them? Thanks for your insight!

 

W

WanderingMermaid

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

September 2023 (planned)

• Jul 28, 2023

• #2

thank you lovelyshell!

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Various routes 2016 - 2024

• Jul 28, 2023

• #3

Here's a thread about the topic, that you should find useful.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/am-i-allowed-to-carry-hiking-poles-walking-sticks-into-the-airplane-cabin-with-me.73727/

 

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WanderingMermaid

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

September 2023 (planned)

• Jul 28, 2023

• #4

trecile said:

Here's a thread about the topic, that you should find useful.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/am-i-allowed-to-carry-hiking-poles-walking-sticks-into-the-airplane-cabin-with-me.73727/

Click to expand...

This is very helpful, thank you so much! Looks like I'm checking a bag because my poles are too rad to leave behind lol

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Various routes 2016 - 2024

• Jul 28, 2023

• #5

WanderingMermaid said:

This is very helpful, thank you so much! Looks like I'm checking a bag because my poles are too rad to leave behind lol

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I would carry on my backpack and put poles and anything else that can't go in the plane, like a small knife, into a box or tube, or a cheap duffel that you can donate upon arrival - maybe something from a thrift store. If you use a box or tube don't panic if it isn't on the luggage carousel when you arrive. There is usually a place near baggage claim for odd shaped items.

 

C clearly

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Most years since 2012

• Jul 28, 2023

• #6

lovelyshell said:

You will not be able to carry your poles on the airplane. You won’t be able to carry them past the TSA security checkpoint.

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This categorical statement is simply not true.

The forum has many posts about people who have done so, and others who have not. It may depend on the type of pole and local TSA implementation policy. But there are no guarantees either way.

The forum also has past posts where members get into heated arguments about this topic. That is why we developed the description that @trecile linked to in post #4 above.

 

lovelyshell

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

October/November 2016

• Jul 28, 2023

• #7

C clearly said:

This categorical statement is simply not true.

The forum has many posts about people who have done so, and others who have not. It may depend on the type of pole and local TSA implementation policy. But there are no guarantees either way.

The forum also has past posts where members get into heated arguments about this topic. That is why we developed the description that @trecile linked to in post #4 above.

Click to expand...

I’m stating my experience. You don’t have to be rude.

 

C clearly

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Most years since 2012

• Jul 28, 2023

• #8

lovelyshell said:

I’m stating my experience. You don’t have to be rude.

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Not quite. You said to the OP that "You will not be able..." My response was direct but not at all rude. You have now deleted your post.

This illustrates why we often need to lock threads about poles on planes. I will do that now.