I'm the one taking Air France to Greece next week, changing planes in Paris,and it just occured to me to ask whether anyone knows if it will be a problem to take my collapsible walking sticks in my carry-on. The walking sticks are very light-weight aluminum, collapse to about 8 inches in length and have rubber tips that can be removed (and here's the rub!)to expose metal tips for using on soft ground.
Posted by
Freedonia
16123 posts
Not allowed in carry-on. They must go in checked luggage.
Added: the reason they are not allowed is because they can be extended/put together to form a very serious weapon. It would be like giving a bat to someone.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17284 posts
I believe they are considered in the same category as "ski poles" because of the metal point, and not allowed in a carry-on. We have always checked ours (and so has eveyrone else I know who uses them).
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
Ski poles are not allowed, but walking poles aren't specifically mentioned. I am taking a hiking trip in the Fall and plan to take my poles apart, put them in my carry on.
Walking poles do not have pointed tips. they are rounded,so I feel if I get the right TSA guy, I should be OK...if I'm not, I'm going back to the ticket counter to check my bag.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
My trekking poles have jagged tips under the rubber tips (for use on ice). They are NOT allowed as carryon, as a previous poster mentioned. You will have to check your bag.
Posted by
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX, USA
251 posts
An older gentleman had his two hiking type poles onboard with him on AA from Zurich to NY. They were not in any bag--he carried them. I was surprised. Maybe he made a case that he needed them all the time.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5813 posts
Security at CDG made me go check my collapsible hiking poles. They told me they were not allowed because the metal pole could be used to injure people. This was 10 years ago before 9/11. I was flying Stockholm to Nice via Paris. Security in Stockholm had allowed me to carry them on, but when I went to change planes in Paris, Paris security would not permit me to continue with them.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
You need to check them, or at least have to plan to check them when security won't let you through. Why not plan on checking them from the get go and not have to go back to the counter to check them? Mine fit in a roll aboard bag. Or, as I have sometimes, put them in a small duffle with extra jacket or clothing so they are protected.
Pam
Posted by
NYC, NY, USA
22 posts
Has anyone thought about grinding the metal tip smooth? How about it?
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
But would you really want to trust that to the decision of the individual agent who is checking your carry-on? I suppose you could, but only if you have a plan B and are willing go back and wait in the check in line or ditch those pricey walking sticks. Also, you kind of need those tips some times. Or maybe just that I walk most often in Scotland where the ground can be very soft. ; ) Pam
Posted by
Freedonia
16123 posts
Ken, the metal tip has nothing to do with it. The stick itself could be used as a club therefore it can't be brought on board.
Of course, the strange thing is if it were a cane and you needed it to help you walk, it would be allowed on.