AIRLINE CARRY ON

I believe that even if you can fit them in your luggage diagonally, you cannot carry them on. Last time I checked the TSA website, hiking poles and ski poles were both not allowed as carry-ons.

Your choice is to check them, or buy hiking poles when you arrive at your desitination.

Billie Kay,

One point to mention, using all capitals is considered "shouting" in net forums.

Regarding your Hiking Poles, it's highly unlikely these will be allowed for carry-on at all, as they probably fall into the same category as ski poles.

You might want to have a look at This Website for more specific information.

Good luck!

Put them in diagonally like I did when I got them in Finland.

Hiking poles are NOT carry on allowed. That being said, most hiking poles can be pulled apart into 2-3 sections. If you take the poles apart, you can fit them into your 22" bag, but that bag will have to be checked.

I'm traveling in the fall with poles, and have before, so I understand the frustration having to check them, but, it's the rule. If you removed the point and left it at home, planned to buy the tip in Europe, you might be able to carry on...Nothing pointy on the plane! I'm just going to check mine.

Billie - I recommend buying there or sending ahead to your hotel destination if you dont want to buy news ones. On my last trip - I found some cheapie 10Euro ones that were fine for a week - vs the 100$ ones I had the year before! You can also try to package them in a cardboard box/tube and ask to check at the gate (like large coat). Or even put them in a small duffel and check that bag. I hear people go on with 3-part fly fishign rods but that was domestic.

Go to a European web site, http://www.ebay.co.uk/ for example, buy some and have them sent to your first nights destination. Saves a lot of trouble in the long run.

Thanks so much...i am going to try to take my poles apart. And sorry for "shouting". Appreciate all your advice. BK

Billie Kay,
Note responses #2, 3, & 4: Hiking poles are not allowed in carry on luggage. Although they are not specifically listed, I would not want to risk a pair of expensive hiking poles getting confiscated by security. Compare them to ski poles -- not much difference. You can break them down -- they unscrew easily -- but they still should go into checked baggage.
Either send them ahead as some suggest, or pack one checked bag with the poles & maybe something else in it.

"You might want to have a look at This Website for more specific information."

Fascinating! I like that brass knuckles are allowed in checked bags and that hand grenades are not allowed in either checked or carry on. I am not sure why, but both of these made me laugh out loud.