TSA Rule on Walking Sticks / Trekking Poles

Subscribe
I am thinking of getting a pair of retractable hiking poles for my trip next week....they will need to go through security at FLL, LAX, LIH and KOA. The ends are not sharp, but still pointy like ski poles.

Has anyone encountered problems or hassles taking something like this through the checkpoint as carry-on? Any advise from the screeners?
Reply
Unless it is a cane or has just a rubber tip, I would think that it would be a no go as a carry-on. Heck, a hockey stick is not allowed. I travel one trip a year with my backpacking poles and I always put them in my checked luggage.
Reply
Quote: Unless it is a cane or has just a rubber tip, I would think that it would be a no go as a carry-on. Heck, a hockey stick is not allowed. I travel one trip a year with my backpacking poles and I always put them in my checked luggage.
Thanks for the info...I don't do checked bags, so it looks like I will be hunting for a big stick when I hit Kauai

Thanks TSA! You have bravely saved not one, but eight flights from certain tragedy
Reply
My camera monopod with a somewhat pointed tip (covered by a blunt rubber foot) has never been a problem and has made a few dozen trips with me. Then again, seeing as how the TSA is quibbling over whether or not contact solution is "saline" and has confiscated car keys and even Congressional Medals of Honor, I can see why you would be worried.
Reply
Good luck finding a straight enough stick and enjoy Kauai !
Watch out for chickens crossing the road.
whkento likes this.
Reply
I've traveled all over the US EU with my collapsible walking stick (with a removable rubber tip like this one: http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...oductId=291625

I've been asked a few time what it was and I identified them as a "walking cane" (even though it's obvious that I don't need a walking cane). No problems anywhere except for a flight from Basel to London where I had to go back to the counter and checked it in.

Here is the rule from the TSA (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm )
Walking Canes - allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed.
Reply
It is always helpful to carry a Dr.s note with any special needs device.
whkento likes this.
Reply
Quote: It is always helpful to carry a Dr.s note with any special needs device.
Athough certainly true, it says something scary about our ideas of security. Since the TSA has no way to verify such notes, what's to stop terrorists from faking their own notes?
Reply
Quote: I've traveled all over the US EU with my collapsible walking stick (with a removable rubber tip like this one: http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...oductId=291625

I've been asked a few time what it was and I identified them as a "walking cane" (even though it's obvious that I don't need a walking cane). No problems anywhere except for a flight from Basel to London where I had to go back to the counter and checked it in.

Here is the rule from the TSA (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm )
Walking Canes - allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed.
I always check mine as I've taken it all over the world and don't want to lose it to the TSA.
Reply
Quote: Athough certainly true, it says something scary about our ideas of security. Since the TSA has no way to verify such notes, what's to stop terrorists from faking their own notes?

its alright is they have a doctors note for that TNT stick
Reply
Quote: I am thinking of getting a pair of retractable hiking poles for my trip next week....they will need to go through security at FLL, LAX, LIH and KOA. The ends are not sharp, but still pointy like ski poles.

Has anyone encountered problems or hassles taking something like this through the checkpoint as carry-on? Any advise from the screeners?

i think you should be fine. i've travelled with my tri/mono-pods and i never had an issue. but this depends on the screener too
Reply
Metal walking stick OK?
I hurt my knee and now use a retractable aluminum walking stick. Will a metal walking stick present any problem with my taking the stick on board the plane? This is for a trip in US in Dec/Jan 2011.

The stick compresses to just a bit over 22 inches long.
Reply
I carry Carbon Fiber and Alum Monopods alot when i travel with photo gear. Have had a couple of boneheaded idiots but i made my point, and was allowed through with them.

Same goes for lightstands, and treking poles.
Reply
The handles of many roll-on suitcases are built of two metal pipes that are akin to walking sticks. But since this involves the TSA with its history of banning wooden baseball bats before, it begs the question why a metal walking stick would be permissible like those metal pipes used as part of the handle for a roll-on suitcase when baseball bats were not. ADA and the lobby for the mobility challenged and elderly?

Prohibited:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm

Permitted:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm

With regard to the TSA itself, canes are ordinarily good to go into the cabin.
Reply
Thanks for the info. I guess a metal retractable walking stick should be OK as carry on in US domestic flights.
Reply