Checking in trekking pole
 

I'm flying from Cape Town to Gatwick via Dubai (on Emirates), and want to take my trekking pole with me. It won't fit in my suitcase, and I doubt I could carry it on (it has a large blunt spike on the end, covered with a rubber stopper).

So I thought I'd check it in on its own... any recommendations for how to pack it? I suppose they could just stick the tag directly on the pole, but that seems dicey. Maybe a cardboard box, but it'd have to be pretty long... any other ideas?

Swathe it in bubble wrap?

Bubble wrap, maybe with cardboard wrapped round the bubble wrap and mega amounts of tape over that?

Or maybe buy a ski bag (or something of similar shape) and pack your clothes in it as well as the pole.

ABS pipe with a cap on one end and a cleanout adapter on the other end.

http://www.nibco.com/resources/products/150/5817.jpg
http://www.nibco.com/resources/products/150/5816.jpg

Use ABS cement to secure the ends in place so they won't pop off during handling.

http://www.oatey.com/img/subcategory/30902.jpg

PVC is available but I shy away from that as PVC is more brittle and can shatter.

How much is the extra checked bag there and back going to cost you? It may be cheaper/easier to leave it at home and buy a (collapsible) pole when you get there?

You may even be able to bring a collapsible one back in your carry-on. I have flown with a photographers telescopic monopod in my carry-on. Its basically a much bigger heavier collapsible hiking pole, complete with metal spike/rubber foot. I was expecting grief at the x-ray station since it would make a damn good cudgel if the need ever arose, but it didn't get a second look. Admittedly that was a domestic flight here in NZ where security theatre isn't a multibillion dollar industry. ;)

I travel with my trekking poles often. Mine are the collapsible sort, though, so they easily fit in a checked bag. They are not terribly expensive, so you might want to look into collapsible ones specifically for travel. Probably cheaper and easier than all the hassle of designing a tube, or purchasing a bunch of packing supplies, or paying for oversize luggage.

I have also carried mine on. They have pointy metal tips covered by rubber stoppers. I thought security might balk, but they have travelled as carry-on all over the US, Europe, and the Pacific region with no issues. One agent called them my "canes." Um, no, (they look like ski poles) but if that lets them go through security, who am I to argue? :)

Thanks for the ideas. I'm flying emirates business class, so the extra bag wouldn't cost anything. I'll look into more collapsible poles, though, or go the bubblewrap route :)