We are planning day hikes on the Aegean coast over the next two weeks. We travel lightly, don't check baggage, and stow everything in overheads on the plane. Does anyone know if Turkish Airlines will allow us to take our trekking canes this way. We're both between 75 and 80 years old and have been advised to take them by another hiker with experience in the area. The canes don't take much room, but we had trouble once going to Italy and were forced to shrink-wrap them and check them in—back closer to 9/11 when everything looked like a weapon to TSA. In any case, the airline couldn't find the canes when we got to Genoa. We have only a two-hour wait in Istanbul before we fly to Dalaman, so we won't have time for a similar outcome. Any advice?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
It is against TSA regulations. What that means for Turkish Air, especially if not departing from the US, who knows?
Some report that if they go through security using them as assistive devices, they have better luck.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
63 posts
I'm departing from San Francisco International Airport, flying to Istanbul and connecting to Dalaman two hours after arriving in Istanbul. I had the same idea about limping onto and off of the planes with our canes, but I'd hoped to do it on the up and up.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Yep, you will probably have to check them.
Find a bag, or tube, and make your peace with that.
Posted by
Indiana
808 posts
I have seen TSA confiscate them. Consequently we always check ours.
Posted by
Maryland
865 posts
Having carried expandable-length map tubes for presentation materials all over the place in a previous life may I suggest that you get a map tube with a shoulder strap that will fit the canes. If they need to be checked they are in a formal container that is easily labeled and tracked. I think you will have to check them.