[pct-l] Hiking Poles on Planes

[Frederick Baier]

Aloha Rhiannon, 
 
I've been traveling with hiking poles on planes with zero/zero issues for well over a year--both interisland and around the mainland. I'd just recommend you (obviously) collapse them if you can, if for no other reason than to fit them into the overheads. And it'd probably be best if they have rubber tips--simply to avoid begging undue interest from well-meaning TSA folks.  As background, I did ask a TSA official and was assured it was no problem. People get on planes with walking sticks and canes all the time, apparently trekking poles fit into that category. I take mine along with me simply because I think they're an easily 'pilferable' item--my decision unfortunately shaped by having had a few negative experiences over the years with stuff missing from luggage. 
Cheers, Fritz
Aiea, Hawaii

> Message: 34
> Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:36:03 -0700 (PDT)
> From: b j <xthrow at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Hiking Poles on planes
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
> <1366112163.58566.YahooMailClassic at web162003.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> A few weeks back, someone on the list had pointed out that hiking poles were now allowed on planes but people speculated that it might take a bit for that to trickle down to a consistent 'Yes' in practice with all the different agencies and people involved in checking you in and passing through security.
> 
> Has anyone had any recent on-the-ground experience on taking their hiking poles as carry-on - successful or not?
> 
> I'm on Alaska Airlines in a week, so contemplating where to put my poles.? To check or not to check -- that is the question...
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> -Rhiannon
> 
> 
>