sailingdane

Can you have an umbrella as carry on in most countries/airlines? Are there any countries where it's not allowed? I read some where it usually didn't count as one of the allowed pieces of carry-on (just like a coat).

yyzvoyageur

A compact umbrella will fit nicely in any roll-aboard.

sailingdane

What about a proper English wooden one? That's not collapsible.

I'm considering buying a proper umbrella that won't go "inside out" when the wind is blowing. But if I can't bring it with me on a plane I won't have it to help against the rain at my destination.

YCTTSFM

Several years ago (2006?) a friend's kid had her flimsy, child-sized Hello Kitty umbrella confiscated at PIT because "it could be used as a weapon."

If you're not checking a bag it will fit, can you buy one at your destination?

N965VJ

And we all know how dangerous Hello Kitty is:




Seriously, I think one country does prohibit umbrellas, just can’t think of it right now.

goalie

um, why can't you think of it? cat got your tongue? <ducking>

YCTTSFM

While I concede that Hello Kitty is determined to subvert our American Way of Life™, I'm fairly certain that's not an umbrella.

We Will Never Forget

I would upgrade to a fare that allows you to ride inside the plane.

sailingdane

I think I'll get a collapsible one, if that makes it easier to travel with. I want to buy a good umbrella, and not several ones for each country I'm traveling to.

What about other countries? I would assume it's fine in the UK.

Do you need a permit to carry umbrellas in the land of the free then?

I think I'll just try to avoid going to the US. It seems like they don't want tourists or business anyway, treating foreigners like criminals and coming up with new hassles like pre-applications online to enter the country and a new $10 tax for entering. I guess the government thinks the economy is so great it's better off with less tourism.

N965VJ

Please write to the Visitors Bureau/Chamber of Commerce, hotels, etc. of the places you’ve visited and tell them why you spend your money elsewhere now. (And I still think Bill Marriott is living on Mars if he thinks that stupid tax is a good idea)

YCTTSFM

If you have access to the UK, Fortnum & Mason had some really brilliant durable, full-sized, wind-tolerant folding ones a couple years ago. Six weeks of windy, wet summer of '07 in Carlyle did not break it!

Not unless it's fully automatic.

Only TSA is the potential problem; museums etc. won't bother you at all. However, my friend's experience above is why my good non-collapsible goes buried at the bottom of a large checked bag, if I need it.

Many of us welcome visitors, and are trying to get the relevant agencies to reflect that (with limited success as you can see on this board). You are not alone; several old friends who used to love vacationing here no longer do because of what you mention. If you choose not to come, please do contact places you would have visited, and tell them why you changed your plans.

SATTSO

In the years I have worked in TSA I have never seen an umbrella not allowed. The various nations I have travelled through have always allowed me to carry mine, but I did notice this from the London Heathrow web-site:

"What about umbrellas?
Large, golfing type umbrellas are not permitted as they exceed the baggage size set by the DfT. Folding or collapsible umbrellas that can fit within hand baggage can of course be carried. These items will be X-rayed."