Bring My Own Walking Cane

[cwalden]

Someone made ma a walking cane that I would like to bring to the Camino for my walk. It is about 5 feet tall and in one piece. I am traveling form the United States. Has anyone brought a cane on board the plane and if so how did you accomplish that? I would be blessed to have this on my pilgrimage. It has carvings on it that share my faith.

Any additional comments on this thread? I added pictures of the cane.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

In June 2022 and again in January 2023 I fell and broke my back. Needed two surgeries! .... My pain management doctor told me to start using a cane, which I prudently did....

When I later told him of my plan to revisit the Camino in October 2023 he gave me a letter. "You'll want this," he declared. The doctor's letter said that I needed to use a came as a "mobility device" due to permanent back injury. I presented that letter (together with the cane, for examination) to airport security and had no trouble whatsoever, either leaving the US or coming home.

So: how's your back?

 

[cwalden]

In June 2022 and again in January 2023 I fell and broke my back. Needed two surgeries! .... My pain management doctor told me to start using a cane, which I prudently did....

When I later told him of my plan to revisit the Camino in October 2023 he gave me a letter. "You'll want this," he declared. The doctor's letter said that I needed to use a came as a "mobility device" due to permanent back injury. I presented that letter (together with the cane, for examination) to airport security and had no trouble whatsoever, either leaving the US or coming home.

So: how's your back

I have had back problems on and off. Not sure how the walk will affect me. This is my first walk and I'll start training.

 

[dbier]

Train with the cane, and get the note. Good luck with TSA.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have never heard of a five foot tall staff used as a necessary mobility device, but I hope it works for you to bring it on board with a doctor's note.
I assume it could be checked in the hold with a tag attached as an alternative if need be.

 

[Lindsay53]

I have a feeling it may be too long to be take as cabin baggage, however as Chrissy has said above you should be able to check it with no problem.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Best thing to do is check with your airline and be SURE they know it's 5 feet tall which to me seems doubtful as use as a walking cane. But as others have said, if they don't let you take it on board, you can always check it. Wrap it up good in bubble wrap. I'd put a tracking device in it, and pick it up when you arrive in Europe.

 

[t2andreo]

Someone made ma a walking cane that I would like to bring to the Camino for my walk. It is about 5 feet tall and in one piece. I am traveling form the United States. Has anyone brought a cane on board the plane and if so how did you accomplish that? I would be blessed to have this on my pilgrimage. It has carvings on it that share my faith.

Any additional comments on this thread?

If the cane looks like a cane, and does not have a pointy steel tip (good for stabbing), your story is that this is a walking device to assist you in walking. I tell the TSA folks that this is a cane to help with my equilibrium (I am 70 and can pull this off).

To summarize, cane-like devices that are intended to assist a person in walking (e.g. balance) ARE allowed in the cabin. OTOH, segmented or single-length hiking sticks, pacer poles, etc. that come with a tungsten or other steel pointy tip are NOT allowed, as they make a handing stabbing weapon. Having rubber tips covering the pointy end does not matter. The x-ray will show the hard-sharp tip.

I do have a hiking cane that I sourced in Decathlon - near Santiago for €11.99. I removed the tungsten tip with pliers, and filled the hole in the end of the pole with a wooden dowel that was hammered in and cannot be removed. I use a standard round rubber tip over this. I have taken this walking assistive device into the cabin many times.

Only once did someone object at an airline gate. I told them this was a walking stick to help me with my balance. I explained that this looks like a hiking pole, only because it can be shortened for convenience if needed - like on the plane - to fit under my seat or overhead.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[rappahannock_rev]

In follow up to my post above ---

(1) When I went to the airport in October 2023 (RIC) and checked in for my flight to Madrid, the desk clerk told me that my cane could be accepted as a checked-in baggage item, at no cost to me, and that I wouldn't need to take it though airport security at all! (Appreciated the offer, but declined.)

(2) On two past Caminos I purchased a conventional walking stick upon arrival at my trailhead.. I later tried to take the walking sticks home as checked-in baggage items. One stick made it. The other simply vanished. The airline said, "Sorry! We know nothing." Hence, my hesitation about shipping canes/sticks as checked-in items.

 

[cwalden]

I have never heard of a five foot tall staff used as a necessary mobility device, but I hope it works for you to bring it on board with a doctor's note.
I assume it could be checked in the hold with a tag attached as an alternative if need be.

I must

I have never heard of a five foot tall staff used as a necessary mobility device, but I hope it works for you to bring it on board with a doctor's note.
I assume it could be checked in the hold with a tag attached as an alternative if need be.

I think the conversation went in that direction. I do not use it for a mobility device.

 

[cwalden]

I apologize as I think I led everyone to think it was for my mobility from injury. I think I should have used the term hiking cane maybe. This is all new to me - the Camino, hiking, the cane, etc.

It is only wood, no metal parts. It is 5 feet tall.

I am addling pictures of it.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@cwalden, I understood all along that it was a walking/hiking staff/stick; not a true "cane" for mobility use.

 

[trecile]

I apologize as I think I led everyone to think it was for my mobility from injury. I think I should have used the term hiking cane maybe

I would call that a hiking staff.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@cwalden, I understood all along that it was a walking/hiking staff/stick; not a true "cane" for mobility use.

Ditto. However, as I read some of the follow-up posts it appeared to me that the suggestion was that you get your doctor to write you a Note that you do require it as a mobility device - then perhaps you will successfully get it through security!
Required or not, lean on it heavily enough going through security and you never know your luck.....

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It is a very special and unique hand carved staff made just for you. Hopefully something will work out to bring it on the Camino and then back home again.

 

[trecile]

I'm trying to think of where in an airplane cabin such as staff would be stored!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I'm trying to think of where in an airplane cabin such as staff would be stored!

I have seen baby strollers folded, etc. a few times stored inside the aircraft near the front as you enter before turning the corner to head down the aisle. I suppose the staff could stand on end in that area and secured by a flight attendant, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[trecile]

I have seen baby strollers folded, etc. a few times stored inside the aircraft near the front as you enter before turning the corner to head down the aisle. I suppose the staff could stand on end in that area and secured by a flight attendant, but I wouldn't count on it.

But they aren't five feet long!

 

[t2andreo]

I apologize as I think I led everyone to think it was for my mobility from injury. I think I should have used the term hiking cane maybe. This is all new to me - the Camino, hiking, the cane, etc.

It is only wood, no metal parts. It is 5 feet tall.

I am addling pictures of it.

View attachment 160567

View attachment 160568

I am afraid that will be considered a weapon. Actually, walking staffs like this were used as such during the Middle Ages. Did you ever see a Robin Hood film?

Plan ahead to check the staff as baggage. It is too long for the cabin. Consider pre-wrapping it in bubble wrap.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Camino Chrissy]

But they aren't five feet long!

But the cabin height is over 5 feet tall! I mentioned it could possibly "stand on end" against that first wall on the right side as you enter the aircraft before turning right to go down the aisle. I can envision it and I'm sure the flight attendants have special training to accommodate staffs.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I am afraid that will be considered a weapon. Actually, walking staffs like this were used as such during the Middle Ages. Did you ever see a Robin Hood film?

Plan ahead to check the staff as baggage. It is too long for the cabin. Consider pre-wrapping it in bubble wrap.

Hope this helps.

Tom

That's the best answer yet!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

That's the best answer yet!

Yep, but the others are far more fun.
Wonder how Gandalf got on.
Wait, I remember, he flew with Eagle air!
Wonder if they’re still in business…..

 

[trecile]

Plan ahead to check the staff as baggage. It is too long for the cabin. Consider pre-wrapping it in bubble wrap

I think that I'd want more than bubble wrap to protect a precious one of a kind staff like that. Maybe you could get a tube or tubes taped together long enough to fit it to check it in

 

[bprohs]

“You can take a cane or a walking stick on a plane if it is carried by a passenger using it as a mobility aid and if it’s a regular cane or walking stick and not a “tactical” cane that doubles as a weapon. Your cane will need to undergo x-ray screening. Walkers, crutches, canes or other mobility aids and devices must undergo X-ray screening.”

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

“You can take a cane or a walking stick on a plane if it is carried by a passenger using it as a mobility aid and if it’s a regular cane or walking stick and not a “tactical” cane that doubles as a weapon. Your cane will need to undergo x-ray screening. Walkers, crutches, canes or other mobility aids and devices must undergo X-ray screening.”

Great research but something tells me that at five feet (1.5 meters) tall they may not accept it as a regular cane or walking stick. Although one can always ask.
A walking staff is, sadly, more likely to be classified as a tactical item.
Because let's face it, as mentioned above, historically it was most definitely one of their purposes!

 

[bprohs]

Great research but something tells me that at five feet (1.5 meters) tall they may not accept it as a regular cane or walking stick. Although one can always ask.
A walking staff is, sadly, more likely to be classified as a tactical item.
Because let's face it, as mentioned above, historically it was most definitely one of their purposes!

Good point.

 

[tim winn]

Someone made ma a walking cane that I would like to bring to the Camino for my walk. It is about 5 feet tall and in one piece. I am traveling form the United States. Has anyone brought a cane on board the plane and if so how did you accomplish that? I would be blessed to have this on my pilgrimage. It has carvings on it that share my faith.

Any additional comments on this thread? I added pictures of the cane.

It's unlikely you will be able to take it onboard due to it's length. Simply add it to your checked baggage.

 

[David61]

How about getting a professional to cut it in half and fit a screw fitting much the same as many pool cues. Would make things easier all round