I'm confused about airline policy and airport policy. Which has the final say? For example, MAN (airport) website clearly bars sports rackets in hand baggage so it's hard to see how one could pass through security with this even if the actual carrier were to permit it in the cabin.
It is an offence to carry any of the following items into the aircraft cabin:
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Sporting bats.
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http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/g...ecurity-rules/