Packing a Cane

Use it while getting on the plane and there won't be any problem.

Just put it in the overhead or ask an inflight service representative to keep it in the closet in the forward cabin.

I travel with a cane and always take it onboard. Mine doesn’t collapse, so I just tuck it the front of the overhead din. There should be no issue with carrying in your checked or carryon luggage.

I've brought a cane on at least two trips. I got a cheap fold up one off Walgreens.com. It probably could fit in a carry on suitcase, but I've just carried it on. Nobody gave it a second look. I put it in the bin going thru TSA. One reason I occasionally bring a cane is because hiking poles/walking sticks are not supposed to be carry on. If you want to check the cane, there is absolutely no problem doing so.

Thank you all. I feel so muxh better.

You can walk with a cane onto a plane. You cannot bring a metal tipped hiking pole onto a plane. Assuming you are talking about an actual cane (not hiking pole) that is used as a medical assistive device, you will not have a problem. Put it in the overhead bin.

I took my cane on board three years ago, when I was using it prior to knee surgery.
At the security line, they took it away to scan it and gave me a wooden one to walk through the scanning area with.
I also was offered priority boarding as they saw I was walking with a cane.
No need to check it…just put it in the overhead bin.
Put a piece of tape or a small label on it to identify that it belongs to you in case you leave it somewhere accidentally!

You can definitely take a cane on board. I don't use a cane but I've packed crutches on multiple flights (carry on). I put them in the overhead bin during the flight. Easy peasy!

This is reminding me of the days when on short flights between northern and southern CA I used to carry on my folding Razor-style scooter and stick it in the overhead like a cane. It really added to my enjoyment of the beach promenades in San Diego, and it also was a great way to enjoy the smooth floors of the terminal while waiting for the flights to board. Even better than rolling through an indoor shopping mall!

Thanks to all the others who have responded. I never had to think about this until now.

I use it mostly for balance but it helps some with my arthritic knee.

I use an adjustable, but not a folding or collapsible cane. It just goes with me, gets carried aboard the aircraft, and it stays at my seat.

I had two knee replacements this winter and flew a handful of times right after when I was still using a cane. Going through security, they took the cane to run it through the scanner, but that was it. At the gate, I was offered to pre board, which I did once, but otherwise I had priority boarding anyway. I kept the cane with me at my seat, and the flight attendants never said a word. I never thought about it until reading this thread. My cane was a regular one, so did not collapse, did not have a metal tip etc.

Remember it's a medical device, not sports equipment. If you need it to get through the airport and on the plane, then you need it.

You asked about your carryon, and then say you're going to check your carryon, and then ask if you can attach it to the carryon. Which is it? I would not attach anything to a checked bag and expect it to stay on. But also, any worries, just check a bigger bag with cane inside. Carry on the carryon.

I sometimes take a folding cane attached to my carryon, which I carryon, but I always ask the TSA screener first. Any issue, it's cheap enough to leave behind and buy a new one over there.

I have a fairly fancy, hand carved, wood cane with a rubber tip. Carried it for years. Never had a problem or questions. TSA will run it through the x-ray machine and will offer another cane for usage when going through the screening equipment. I generally decline the sub cane as I can get along for a few feet without the cane. Once on the plane I just toss it in the overhead bin across the front or the back along with our carry-on luggage. I have a wrist strap on the cane and use it when boarding or exiting so that it is not accidentally dropped.

Canes and wheelchairs are fairly common so the airline have handled thousands. Not a big deal.

Thank you both Stan and Douglas

I am a faller and mostly use my cane for balance.

I take one cruise. a year and usually take a fall every cruise. This will be my first tine cruising with a cane and hope that it will help.

At times, it does help with pain. I have arthritis of the knee. For now, Voltaren seems to work well. I am also going to try another injection before my trip. Last time, the injection did not work.

I went to Amazon and they have almost too many foldable canes. If I decide to buy one, can someone suggest a brand. I would like one that is one piece and you do not have to stick one piece in another.

Allow me to pile on. DO take the cane with you to use in the terminal and to preboard. As previously mentioned, a cane is a medical assistive device, not a piece of sporting equipment. And the blunt end has a rubber, not metal, tip. You can put it in the overhead bin, or just put it at your feet if you have a window seat. The latter is what I've always done. I've been using a cane, literally for decades, and it would never occur to me to try and check it in a checked bag.

If you have not yet purchased one, or are looking to purchase another, I would strongly advise you to go to a medical supply store. You can't know just by looking at an online picture whether the item is quality built or not. Especially with folding or telescoping canes- if they aren't sturdy they can collapse under your weight, leading to a fall. The other important advantage of purchasing in person is that you can look for canes with a handle that fits your hand properly, and MOST importantly, is the correct length. The store personnel know how to properly size a cane. Ergonomics is everything with these types of devices.

Bought my travel cane at Walmart. 4 sections are all threaded onto stretchy band. You pull the sections apart (but they are still attached by the band) and fold them up (need a thick rubber band to hold them in a bundle). Each section slots into the other when putting together again (no mussing with adjustments). Top section has multiple buttons/holes to adjust height for you (this height adjustment can stay fixed; the top section still just slots into the next, easy peasy!) Thick rubber/plastic bottom tip. Mine has glow in the dark handle :-D . Sorry no brand name for you, but these are pretty common at drugstores or personal care section of Walmart, grocery stores, etc.

I did pore over too many options on Amazon for travel hiking poles. If I'm checking luggage, I bring cane on board and hiking poles (which I prefer to use, not just for outdoor walking; I prefer the higher hand placement/leverage of poles) in checked luggage. Last trip I checked my small over-the-luggage-handle "carry on" just to bring my poles, but everything else including cane was in my actual carry-on suitcase. Hiking poles break down into banded segments just like cane, but came with velcro strap to hold the bundled segments together. I use rubber tip on my poles and have had no problems taking them into museums or other indoor facilities.

Appreciate your input CJean and SQ

I will be taking my cane and walking with it as well. I have taken what I refefr to as my "famous" falls but I am learning to be much more careful.

CJean, I also thanked you on a previous discussion. I did call my PCC and found out that I could take water nd sealed snacks off of the ship.

You can take a cane with you on the plane. I have heard of CBP taking some canes from people (who didn't realize it had a sword inside).

You can also check a cane. I never check anything so carry-on is a big deal for me.

Though all those posting you can take the cane on the plane are correct, I didn’t see anything posted referencing the TSA. Below is the link to the TSA medical items section and the cane is allowed in checked and carry-on. There is an additional link imbedded in their information about visiting the special procedures page for information about traveling through the checkpoint with the cane.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/medical

My husband uses the Drive medical seat cane #10365. You can get it on Amazon.It’s not cheap, but it is sturdy and the seat is substantial enough to fit his large frame. He’s never had a problem getting it through TSA as it is clearly for mobility purposes. It fits in the overhead bin on the plane. He uses it as a cane and for sitting when forced to stand around. It might be more unwieldy than you want, but with Amazon’s return policy you could try it out and see how it works for you.

I have a foldable cane like SQ described above with the elastic band inside. Nice to be able to just lift it by the handle and let it re-connect itself.

I attached a velcro band around the top to keep it folded while sitting and got an under-table purse hook to attach it to while seated in a restaurant. Mine has a wrist strap with a metal ring that I can hook to the purse hook.

I used it after graduating from a walker after total knee replacement surgery with no problems. The Physical Therapist had no issues with it other than wanting to adjust it to my height better.

I still take it to provide balance security. I really don't want to chance falling on my new knee. I prefer a hiking stick and usually use that locally, but sometimes the folding cane is handier because it is easier to fold and will pass TSA scrutiny, hook under the table and fit in the seat pocket in front of me.

And since it is a standard cane, you can get anti-slip cane tips. My hiking pole has different tips available, but none are like the anti-slip cane tips and the diameters are different, so no match. At least none that I've found yet.

Get a bright color or pattern so people can see you coming.

Thank you to everyone.

I will stick with the cane that i am currently using for now and maybe even after my upcoming trip.

Another thing to think about at security. They had me put the cane through the conveyor while I got screened. I had to fly at 4 weeks post op from knee replacement so was not real steady. The agent screening me put her hand in my shoulder and sort of hurried me along. Except that almost made me fall. My flight home I made sure that I was the one in control of my pace. Do not let anyone rush you when you do not have your cane in your hand.

Hi Boston Phil. Looks like you’ve had lots of replies and I will just add one more. I always use a cane on trips- and I’ve taken 4 trips so far this year- two Rick Steves tours (yes, lucky me).
I started using a cane after a hip replacement left me with a big limp in 2021, (the cane straightens me out and I can walk longer and faster) I bought a collapsible cane that fits in my backpack and that’s where I put it when on the plane. It’s the best purchase I’ve ever made- can put it in my pack when at a restaurant (so it doesn’t take up much room and fall all over the place) on busses, trains, in cars etc.
I highly recommend it.
Cheryl

Thank you Cheryl

Will continue to keep the collapsible cane in mind. Too many choices on Amazon

Hi mikliz97

well a problem for me is I am going on a cruise and shore excursions are sometimes. a problem. To be safe, I should probably only be taking Level 1 shore excursions but they do not always sound interesting and so I sign up for Level 2 which sometimes works well and other times not so well.

I will be going to Rome and Florence which offers excursions for those person who use canes and walkers. Long days. Expensive. But still going to the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and in Florence, The David. Do not know how it is going to be done but I will post reviews.

I am a faller and wear a medical device around my neck but was told to leave it home when I go to Europe. I am learning to be very cautious in my walking which sometimes makes me even slower.

Thank you for your feedbck.

I hope that you are doing well and fully recovered from your surgery. I have arthritis of the knee and am looking at a knee replacement.

bostonphil--Thank you. Yes, I am 100% in one knee and about 98% in the other. I could not be more thrilled!!! I wish you the best when you have yours done. I am not a faller, but am a klutz, so I can relate a bit. I always push myself, many times more than I should, but I refuse to settle. This was even more apparent before surgeries. We did some serious hiking a month before the first one, and I never told the guide. He didn't need to know, but I did tell him I would probably be the slow one, but I could keep up and was fully capable. Two ladies on that hike were stunned afterwards when they found out I was having surgery within weeks. That was a 10 mile hike at Hornstradir in Iceland. We did others on that trip too, as I just was not going to sit back and take it easy. I share this with you so that you continue to do what you want to do, but with whatever modification you need, or not.

If you are buying a new cane, look for the brand “Hugo”.
My collapsible one is that brand and is very sturdy.

mikliz97

yes, surgery is in my future.

You describe. a very long hike pre surgery. What about pain? Were you not experiencing pain and if so, how did you manage it?

I am using Voltaren gel which is helping. a lot but I am not walking a lot.

I will be getting a shot before I leave but the last one did not work. I hope that maybe this will work differently.

S J

Thank you. Will keep in mind

Unless there’s an airline employee here…..call the airline you’re flying with for definitive guidance. When you fly, pour over the seating chart for a seat that allows you maximum mobility. My wife recovered from knee surgery and we picked seats carefully to meet her needs.

bostonphil--I had so much pain before surgery, and absolutely none now. My doctor knew my plans so prescribed Vicodin for me and that its what got me through the big hikes. She knew I hated to take anything, so she knew I would only use it if I had to. I was so used to the constant pain though, and now I look back and wonder how I did so much. I think much of it was that I was not going to sit back and let life pass me by, so I did things but was in pain. I had a cortisone injection once and that gave me 2 days of relief, so I never tried that again. When it is time for surgery, insist on the MAKO. It is a robot assisted surgery that is within 1mm of accuracy. Even my physical therapist said they can tell the patients who have had that surgery vs the ones that did not as the recoveries are drastically different.