Question re Walking Poles and security Santiago airport.

[LTfit]

I know that there are many threads regarding taking walking sticks on the plane in a backpack as hand baggage but I would like to hear from those whom have RECENTLY flown from Santiago to Madrid with Ryan Air or Iberia.

Up until now I have traveled back and forth 4x from Amsterdam to Madrid and/or Sevilla with KLM and/or Iberia with my walking sticks INSIDE my pack and have taken my pack on the plane with me as hand baggage without a problem. I have an Osprey Atmos 35L.

I was just about to book a flight from Santiago to Madrid for Jan 2nd when I remembered reading that people had difficulty out of Santiago. As Ryan Air charges for luggage and 55 euros extra for 'sports equipment' I am hesitant to push my luck. A ticket with Iberia would be twice as expensive but they do not charge for extras.

Anyone have advice? I am not against taking a train (same price as the Ryan Air flight without extra charges) or bus (9 hours) but want to check this out first.

 

[Magwood]

Knowing Ryanair very well, I did not take any chances when I flew out of Santiago to Málaga in May this year. I posted my poles back home in a box purchased at the post office in the city. But then I live in Spain, so it wasn't very expensive or risky to post them.

I wouldn't trust Ryanair to have the same policy at every departure point, and I imagine it would rest entirely on the mood of gate staff as to whether you were allowed to carry on your poles. Although if they fit inside your pack and your pack fits inside their baggage size checker cage thingy, then as long as you haven't had a problem at security, the gate staff won't question what is in your pack. Ryanair are great, as long as you stick by their rules.

 

[LTfit]

Thanks for responding. My poles indeed fit into my pack and my pack clears as far as size but I hear all kinds of problems with Ryan Air and Santiago therefore my question.

Has anyone else actually taken them IN pack as hand luggage from Santiago?

Anyone else

 

[piogaw]

I know that there are many threads regarding taking walking sticks on the plane in a backpack as hand baggage but I would like to hear from those whom have RECENTLY flown from Santiago to Madrid with Ryan Air or Iberia.

Up until now I have traveled back and forth 4x from Amsterdam to Madrid and/or Sevilla with KLM and/or Iberia with my walking sticks INSIDE my pack and have taken my pack on the plane with me as hand baggage without a problem. I have an Osprey Atmos 35L.

I was just about to book a flight from Santiago to Madrid for Jan 2nd when I remembered reading that people had difficulty out of Santiago. As Ryan Air charges for luggage and 55 euros extra for 'sports equipment' I am hesitant to push my luck. A ticket with Iberia would be twice as expensive but they do not charge for extras.

Anyone have advice? I am not against taking a train (same price as the Ryan Air flight without extra charges) or bus (9 hours) but want to check this out first.

Hello ltfit,

I would not even think about it. You don't want to play russian roulette with michael o'leary.

 

[NicoZ]

The airlines don't do the security checks. Your question isn't about Ryanair but about the airport. I can't remember an airline ever looking into my bag. Including Ryanair. By the time you get to the airline gate your carry on has already been searched.

I also don't think the sport surcharge is really for small items. It's more golf bags or even surf boards. I remember seeing a group wrap four boards in plastic and having it checked as one item.

 

[LTfit]

You are right, the question is more regarding the airport security. Thanks, will change the title of the thread.

 

[wayfarer]

LT, I have no exprience with RyanAir but I agree with the post above, its the security. In September when flying out of Santiago with Aer Lingus I checked in both bags because of the poles only to see most of the other passengers coming through with poles and sacks as hand luggage. It may be a game of chance to try. You could post them ahead both ways.

 

[LTfit]

Hi Wayfarer,
I have a round trip ticket Amsterdam-Madrid and so am not worried about that portion of the trip. Security in both these airports has not been a problem over the last four years, last time being this past August.

I need to get back to Madrid to catch my flight and am investigating all options. I took the night bus this summer as ALSA offered me a dirt cheap ticket but prices for train, bus and plane (Ryan Air) seem to be comparable now, at least if I do not have to pay additional fees forluggage, etc.

 

[anniethenurse]

Lee, the air port security at the Airport in SDC is known to be very strict and they keep to the rules...

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, LTfit,
I'm one of those fanatic "bring the poles on board" people and I have done it many times, even in Spain. Most recently, last May, I carried my poles in a duffel bag through airport security in Madrid with no problem. But my back-up plan is always that I will check them if security stops me, but I can check them for free, so that's not a good option for you.

The one airport where I never try to carry on the poles is Santiago. Johnnie Walker has posted a few anecdotes over the years about poles in the Santiago airport, and the punch lines always involves the pilgrim being separated from the poles.

I've gotten some really cheap fares on the overnight train, including a berth, so that would be my second choice.

Buen camino, Laurie

p.s. are you walking soon?

 

[LTfit]

Madrid is not the problem as we know. Poles in pack also cleared through Vigo airport security but Santiago...

Ryan Air flight Santiago-Madrid was only 35 euros a few weeks ago. I unfortunately didn't book then, now it is 62. I have a 8.20 p.m. flight out of Madrid so a night train or bus would not be convenient. Right now the morning train is 54,20 euros and the Alsa bus 68,24 (supra+)!

I am taking a short hop over to walk the last 100+ with a Spanish hospitalera friend and spend Nochevieja in Santiago.

 

[peregrina2000]

... I have a 8.20 p.m. flight out of Madrid so a night train or bus would not be convenient. Right now the morning train is 54,20 euros and the Alsa bus 68,24 (supra+)!

I am taking a short hop over to walk the last 100+ with a Spanish hospitalera friend and spend Nochevieja in Santiago.

If you have an 8:20 pm flight out of Madrid, you would be able to spend a whole day in Madrid if you took the night train or bus, what could be better than that?!

Ah, you lucky Europeans who can take a "short hop" over to walk for a few days. It's just not fair. Sounds like a very wonderful way to bring in the new year. I remember shivering my whole way through JohnnieWalker's blog of his New Year's walk, so I hope you have better weather! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[LTfit]

You're right about a day in Madrid but I was a basket case after taking the night bus last summer and I need to work the next day.
Too many options to think about! Either way I had beter be quick as fares keep going up.

I am indeed wondering about the weather. I consider myself a summer peregrina so this should be interesting!

 

[piogaw]

ltfit,

enjoy your new year's eve and the new year in santiago. i hope it is not too cold over there.

feliz navidad.

 

[LTfit]

Thanks piogaw, you too wherever you will be!

 

[peregrina2000]

You're right about a day in Madrid but I was a basket case after taking the night bus last summer and I need to work the next day.
Too many options to think about! Either way I had beter be quick as fares keep going up.

I am indeed wondering about the weather. I consider myself a summer peregrina so this should be interesting!

I'm sure you can figure this out without my two cents, but if you can get a cheap litera on the train, you should have a good night's sleep and wouldn't have to worry about being a basket case at work. The last time I took that overnight train with a berth, my ticket was under 35 euros, but I'm old enough to get the cheapo old people's fare. I think RENFE's site is showing fares of about 55 euros with a berth for early January. (I say I think because I am not a very adept user of that website).

Good luck, and I am really jealous! Laurie

 

[LTfit]

Actually the cheapest I see at the moment is a cama turista for 79,30 euros. I don't (yet) qualify for a carta dorada.

Thanks for the good wishes, just hoping for dry weather but given the time of year I may be dreaming!

 

[piogaw]

Thanks piogaw, you too wherever you will be!

Hello ltfit.

Will be spending my christmas every year as usual, working for homeless charity, crisis at christmas in london.

However will fly over to madrid to spend my nocheviejo with friends.

Again, enjoy yourself in santiago.

 

[t2andreo]

The airlines don't do the security checks. Your question isn't about Ryanair but about the airport. I can't remember an airline ever looking into my bag. Including Ryanair. By the time you get to the airline gate your carry on has already been searched.

I also don't think the sport surcharge is really for small items. It's more golf bags or even surf boards. I remember seeing a group wrap four boards in plastic and having it checked as one item.

NicoZ: I would not rely on pacer / hiking poles NOT being considered sporting equipment. That would mean trusting Ryan Air NOT to try to soak you for the checked bag. it simply is counter-intuitive. Plus, they charge a LOT more for something discovered to be "checkable" at the check in counter than if declared before, online.

I recommend collapsing your poles then wrapping the rucksack shoulder straps and waist / hip belt around them in an interlocking "embrace" down the back pad of the rucksack. Use rubber bands or a wire twist tie to keep everything sort of together so the straps and belts remain wrapped around the poles. This protects the poles from being bent in handling. It works for me. I have Leki poles. They collapse to about 50 cm - shorter than my rucksack.

Place this bundle in a large, heavy duty plastic bag - kitchen trash compactor bags usually work well for this. You can secure the top with a nylon wire tie.

Here in the States, we have XXL Hefty brand zip lock clothing storage bags for storing bed linens, etc. They are large enough for many rucksacks. They "zip" shut just like their much smaller brethren and you can duck tape over the "zipper" to keep it closed in travel) The best bit is that the bags are heavy duty but translucent, waterproof and weigh very little. Once in Spain, you can use the now empty bag as a rucksack liner - or use it to collect trash along your Camino.

Check this bag. Just assume you are paying for one checked piece on Ryan Air and budget for it. Fact of life time... Ryan Air sucks...we must deal with it, not like it.

If you cannot find a suitably thick plastic sack, a large cotton or polyester "laundry" bag - such as a university student might use for their laundry, will also suffice. Simply tie an elaborate knot in the bag closure, or fasten it in any semi-secure way you can. I prefer polyester as it is lighter and easier to wash, but it is an individual preference.

FYI - I use the Osprey "Transporter" duffle made for this purpose. Then once I reach the first Spanish post office, I post it and anything else I have a mind to down the road to Ivar Rekve's place in Santiago. It usually costs about Euro 10 to send a "Cabo Verde Mediana" carton. This is about the size of the box your hiking boots came in.

I opine that too many folks have waaay too much anxiety about paying for a single checked bag. Considering this cost against your entire Camino, I suggest that paying "freight" is not overly onerous - even on Ryan Air - if you book it online beforehand. However, if you show up at the departure airport with a newly declared checked bag, they will hang you by your ankles to extract your last penny...

I hope this helps...

 

[NicoZ]

NicoZ: I would not rely on pacer / hiking poles NOT being considered sporting equipment. .

What I meant is sports equipment tends to be the big bulky stuff. The things you might want to take on vacation.

The poles are small enough to go into a normal checked bag. I can't remember what Ryanair charges for a normal bag but the limits for the checked bags are smaller IIRC.

 

[LTfit]

I chickened out and decided to take the train...with poles in pack by my side!

 

[piogaw]

Very wise decision. No headache or worries.