Trekking Poles as Carry On?
Sep 10, 2009, 7:46 am
#1
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Trekking Poles as Carry On?
Does anyone know if Delta will allow trekking poles to be carried on a flight?
Sep 10, 2009, 8:26 am
#2
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Sep 10, 2009, 8:37 am
#3
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Here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...d-items.shtm#5
If you can pass them off as canes (better limp a little) then these would be allowed.
Here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm
Sep 10, 2009, 8:46 am
#4
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It isn't not specifically listed, but there is a similarity to ski poles which isn't allowed onboard.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm
Sep 10, 2009, 8:48 am
#5
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If the OP wants trekking poles at his destination he should plan on checking a bag, acquiring poles locally, or shipping them ahead.
Sep 10, 2009, 9:09 am
#6
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The trekking poles I have used all had sharp metal spikes. No way would any alert party (not a specific shot at TSA) would want these on-board.
If the OP wants trekking poles at his destination he should plan on checking a bag, acquiring poles locally, or shipping them ahead.
If the OP wants trekking poles at his destination he should plan on checking a bag, acquiring poles locally, or shipping them ahead.
Sep 10, 2009, 10:08 am
#7
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I just got back last night from a trip to Switzerland with trekking poles. On the flight from JFK to ZRH, I barely got a glance and brought them through in my backpack without any issues. On the return, however, I was told that Swiss police will confiscate them and was forced to check them.
My suggestion would be to arrive at the airport a little early and see if you can make it through, as policy is clearly inconsistent (a search of previous threads will make this even more clear). If you arrive early and aren't permitted through, then you can always go back and check them and they'll still make the flight.
My suggestion would be to arrive at the airport a little early and see if you can make it through, as policy is clearly inconsistent (a search of previous threads will make this even more clear). If you arrive early and aren't permitted through, then you can always go back and check them and they'll still make the flight.
Sep 10, 2009, 10:14 am
#8
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Thanks for all the good advice. This is pretty much what I thought but wasn't able to find a definitive answer on the TSA or Delta websites. I'm going to see what it costs to mail them ahead and see if it's cheaper than checking them.
Sep 10, 2009, 10:50 am
#9
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Can use a monopole, but still iffy as carry-on
Wife often tries to carry-on an Italian-made collaspable photographic monopole, which she uses for its intended purpose (holding a camera) as well as a regular hiking stick. It has a blunt rubber-tip end like a cane, but it is still not carry-on safe because when collapsed it looks and feels like a police billy-club. The Romanian TSA people at the Bucharest airport made us check it. USA TSA has not done so yet, but wouldn't you expect the Romanians to be smarter than us Americans? 
Sep 10, 2009, 12:53 pm
#10
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If you can't duct it....
I hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail in 2005. Around July
4th, I took a few days off to fly home for a wedding and was able to carry my backpack on the plane with my trekking poles collapsed and attached/strapped to the outside of the pack. Yes, the tips did cause some concern when I checked in but I was given a roll of duct tape and covered the entire bottom 6 inches of the pole with it, making sure to put extra tape around the tips. Going through security was no problem. Not sure if this helps but good luck!
4th, I took a few days off to fly home for a wedding and was able to carry my backpack on the plane with my trekking poles collapsed and attached/strapped to the outside of the pack. Yes, the tips did cause some concern when I checked in but I was given a roll of duct tape and covered the entire bottom 6 inches of the pole with it, making sure to put extra tape around the tips. Going through security was no problem. Not sure if this helps but good luck!
Sep 10, 2009, 7:40 pm
#11
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what about a Trek Pod
uh OH! I may be in trouble trying to carry on my TrekPod GO hiking staff/tripod!
We're flying JFK - BUD then PRG - JFK. Any advice on that itinerary? (We're in Biz class if that makes a difference.)
We're flying JFK - BUD then PRG - JFK. Any advice on that itinerary? (We're in Biz class if that makes a difference.)
Sep 10, 2009, 8:14 pm
#12
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When my sister came out here to hike the High Sierra Camps in the Yosemite this August, she was able to carry on her poles from DFW. Ex SFO, she had to check. Needless to say I now have three pairs of poles here (mine, hers, and Dad's). 
Sep 10, 2009, 8:21 pm
#13
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I didn't realize you had 6 hands.