Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you follow this issue in the Forum, you were warned that aviation security is no joke. In the past it seems that some security officials at some airports, in some countries, interpreted written rules differently. For me, exceptions do not frame rules...
This inconsistency at applying written rules resulted in some Forum posters claiming they had "no problems" transporting hiking poles as carry-on items in airplanes. Others informed us they had their poles confiscated.
Two camps formed in this Forum, those that preferred to take their chances with flexible interpretation of written rules, and those that followed the written rules regardless of what a screening official might or might not be inclined to permit on any given day or at any place. Those written rules stated that trekking or hiking poles are NOT permitted as carry-on items - in the US at least. Here is what my online search just revealed:
https://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=hiking poles
This is still too sketchy and loose for me, personally and IMHO. My collapsed poles can still be used as a "bludgeon" (to use the TSA's term). Hence, my poles ALWAYS ride in my checked rucksack...period. No chances or risks taken. Everything can be replaced, albeit at some expense. However, as I consider myself irreplaceable
, there is no contest...the poles ride in cargo...
I would also add that EVERY TIME there is a terrorist atrocity or attempted attack anywhere, the usual security elements tighten security in response, at least for a time. This would result in the sometimes on again, off again permission to bring trekking poles on board an aircraft, being strictly applied. If you opted to take the 50/50 risk that you would get the clueless, uninformed (did not read the latest directive from Headquarters) or possibly over-tired, or even lazy security screening person at your scanning line, you MIGHT get lucky, or you MIGHT lose your poles.
I have always taken the very strict, constructionist view of aviation security and I will not apologize. HOWEVER, in my ongoing efforts to provide helpful information and advice, here is something relative to the OP, above, that I THINK may help.
As you may know, almost all trekking poles have permanently affixed tungsten carbide steel tips at the "business end" of the lower trekking pole segment. THIS feature is what makes the trekking pole a "stabbing weapon" and thus prohibited. Collapsed, some countries and authorities might still consider the collapsed or folded poles as a bludgeon or clubbing weapon. I cannot help there.
This "pointy tip" distinction is also why "normal" walking sticks or canes are always accepted, and without charge, to the carry-on baggage allowance as they are accepted "walking aids." So, my analyst's brain tells me that if you presented a set of trekking poles at airport security, having blunt rubber tips, they could not be rejected, as they lack the hard pointy bits. Thus configured, they are not able to be used as a stabbing weapon. I cannot speak to the striking or bludgeon aspect of the TSA's policy though.
So, in an effort to seek a solution to this "pointy tip" issue, I did some research online for trekking poles with removable tips. Here is what I discovered:
Black Diamond "Z-Poles" come with threaded, removable rubber or spike tips. You can screw on the rubber tips for transport and place the, now removed, screw-on pointy tips in a separate location for later swap-out. Screening officials will not recognize the loose hardware as a threat as they are likely located away from the poles. You replace the spikes on arrival at your starting destination.
I suggest placing a ubiquitous, rubber tip over the reattached spiky point once you start your Camino to eliminate the "click-click-click" sound on paved surfaces.. It will be easier to swap from rubber to spike and back as you walk, without having to pause. I do this with my Leki poles, placing the rubber tips in a pocket when I take them off.
Here is the URL for the Black Diamond poles I refer to. This is the least expensive (USD) of the Z-Pole family:
http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/trekking-poles/distance-z-pole-BD112181_cfg.html#start=1
Here is the URL for the accessory, screw-off rubber tips:
http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/trekking-poles/rubber-tech-tip-BD1121180000ALL1.html
Both items MAY be available for less expense using online searches.
In addition, and as I use Leki poles exclusively, I contacted Leki directly to ask them: (a) if they had this capability (swapping tips on any of their available models); or (b) could they offer this capability? They replied that they do not now offer this interchangeability, but that many people are asking for it. The request was passed along to the R&D department...whatever...
Leki also provided this illustration to explain how to easily knock your spike tips off the lower pole section:
The only problem with this is that you need to have a suitable tool available. While this only needs to be done twice; first at home, before you journey to Spain or France, etc. to your starting place, and second, before you board a flight home, you still need to have an adjustable spanner / wrench available. It is the second removal that might be a problem to solve.
I can see another problem with doing this more than a couple of times over the life of the poles. Apparently, the tips are affixed at the factory using pressure. If you do this several times, it MIGHT loosen the shaft grip on the inner plastic collar holding the tip. Then again, it might not. One could always use a twist of duck tape to make the tip secure again...but I digress...
For yuks, I tried this on my three-Camino veteran Leki Lightweight poles. These are the same poles that literally saved my life on my first Camino in 2013. They have done one
Camino Frances, one Portuguese and one Madrid Caminos. Where I hike they go...period.
My carbide steel tips both came off after three progressively harder "taps" with a 6-inch adjustable wrench. I intentionally used the smallest, 6" wrench, as this is the lightest I have, and also is available in most every "China Store" I have every been in along the Camino. This said, I hasten to add that if you do this at home before leaving for the airport, and cover the empty poles with a pair of rubber tips to make them "air security legal" you only need to tap the tips back on ONCE on arrival, and remove them ONCE before departure on an airplane. So, with some advance thought, it should be doable.
Oh, I also wrapped the open "jaws" of the adjustable wrench / spanner with duck tape before sliding it and striking the rubber collar holding the carbide steel tips so as to not mark the shaft. It worked fine. As most of us carry at least a little bit of duck tape on Camino, this should be reproducible in the field.
Yes, it is a bit of a bother, but I would rather buy and donate a 6-inch wrench / spanner at the end of my Camino, than risk losing the expensive and VERY dear to me trekking poles.
Then again, I ALWAYS check my collapsed poles...
I hope this helps.
Those first stages from Irún to Bilbao have been always a killer for me!
