I need to use a cane. Mine expands into a hiking pole. Will the airline insist I check it? Will a doctor's note help any? Thanks
I have carried mine in domestic, international, and European flights with no problem. Store it in the overhead compartment, and have been asked if I wanted early loading on most flights even.
I brought back a cane like wooden hiking stick from China several years ago as carry-on without a problem. However the American TSA restricts ski and trekking poles from the cabin. I would guess that devices that look like spears, I.e. pointed tips, would not pass.
http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=cane