trekking poles in plane carry-on?

[Taylor Doriani]

Hi all,

I'll be on a business trip to Washington and am hoping to do some hiking in the Cascades. It's a short trip so I was just going to take a carry-on, but I'd like to my trekking poles, which can fit in there. (BTW: I got the Trekology Z-folding alum poles... from an earlier thread on that subjec). I read a few things online that make me think it *might* cause problems to have trekking poles in a carry-on. (I have the rubber tips on, but not sure if that will matter).

Have any of you ever been stopped or had your poles confiscated? Not sure if I'm making a big deal of this...

Thanks!

[LURE]

I saw a guy at a gate in the Fairbanks airport last week with his trekking poles strapped to his carryon pack.

I definitely thought "huh, didn't think you could get those through security."

[SkaredShtles]

You're rolling the dice if you attempt to carry on trekking poles.

[madmattd]

Trekking poles fall under the "discretion" of the TSA officer screening your baggage. Plenty of people have had no issues, plenty have had issues. It's a gray area if you read the TSA allowed items lists. Personally I wouldn't risk it.

[Chipmunk]

Last time I went through DIA, my carry-on was flagged because of my folding trekking poles. I was told they are considered "blunt force weapons" and I could not take them through security unless they were a medical mobility device. I had previously flown with them with no issue, but would not attempt to again.

[nyker]

I am 0/2 in trying to get poles on a plane. One pair was like yours, small break down size another pair a little longer but both got flagged through TSA. Seems up to the TSA agents that day. If they catch it, you'll have to go all the way back to the counter to check in your poles (assuming you want to keep them) which will take a while, time you may not have if catching a flight. Or plan on getting there earlier and then try to get them on but plan to check them.

[Ebenton]

I live in Massachusetts these days l. I flew out of Logan, last winter and spring. A collapsible trekking pole in my carry on, both times, no problem.