Flying through DEN with Hiking/Trekking poles on carry on luggage

[vallejoclmbr]

After 45 14ers, I finally needed the ACL surgery (in early February) that I've been putting off for about 15 years. I'm traveling at the end of the week for a vacation & while I'm back to (mostly) walking I was planning to bring one collapsable trekking pole for assistance on longer walks.

I was hoping to only take a carry on bag if possible on my plane flight. So my question is, has anyone gotten through security at DEN/DIA with trekking poles? It seems like trekking poles are a little bit of a grey area when it comes to TSA. I've read that they are a hard no. But I've also read that if you use your pole as a walking assist device, or if you break down your poles, you can sometimes get them through security.

Anyone have any experiences to share?

As always, thanks to this group for all the sage beta!

[dwoodward13]

After 45 14ers, I finally needed the ACL surgery (in early February) that I've been putting off for about 15 years. I'm traveling at the end of the week for a vacation & while I'm back to (mostly) walking I was planning to bring one collapsable trekking pole for assistance on longer walks.

I was hoping to only take a carry on bag if possible on my plane flight. So my question is, has anyone gotten through security at DEN/DIA with trekking poles? It seems like trekking poles are a little bit of a grey area when it comes to TSA. I've read that they are a hard no. But I've also read that if you use your pole as a walking assist device, or if you break down your poles, you can sometimes get them through security.

Anyone have any experiences to share?

As always, thanks to this group for all the sage beta!

TSA's website explicitly lists hiking poles as not being able to be carried on. I would expect some (maybe a lot?) have certainly got away with it as it probably depends on the person working and/or their supervisor, but if you want to 100% guarantee that you'll be able to bring them along, the only way would be to check a bag.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-scr ... king-poles

[timisimaginary]

the walking assist device exception is for canes, walkers, etc. specifically devices without a pointy end. it's pretty silly, no one's hijacking a plane with a carbon-fiber tipped hiking pole, not sure you could even break the skin with one of those things. and even more so if you're using the rubber tip. but rules are rules, and hiking poles are specifically prohibited, so you have to weight whether it's worth the chance of having it confiscated or left behind at the airport if the TSA person on duty won't allow it.

your other option is to mail/fedex it to someplace where you can pick it up when you get there. might be cheaper depending on if your flight charges for checked bags or not. or you could look into renting a pair of poles from REI or another hiking store in the area.

[sooshee]

You have to weigh if you want to risk them getting taken away at security. I mean, you can get a lot of things through security one moment, and the next time not be so lucky. I've always just checked mine, or borrowed some at my final destination from friends.

[Choss Plate]

Since I see this thread already exists, I’ll post my experience today here, instead of starting a new one.

I had no idea about the rule, and I’ve successfully carried on my poles multiple times before. They’re small, light, and I like keeping my expensive-ish stuff close at hand if I can.

But today… disaster! According to TSA, it’s a new, about 3 month old rule. Maybe that’s just the timeframe they’ve started enforcing it.

Also, sounds like it’s based on the tip, so if you have rubber tips installed, you may be ok. They specifically pulled them out and inspected the ends before telling me no. Since my tips are replaceable, I wonder if I had wrenched them off and tossed them right there if I would have gotten the rest of the poles through. But I was too pissed in the moment to think of that, and I was already in hot water for asking “how am I gonna kill a guy with f**king treking poles?!”

Anyway, instead of surrendering my poles, I exited security, and got damn lucky my window for checking items had a few minutes left. The agents nicely taped them together, and $45 saved my poles (and sanity)

[Bill G]

If you are flying into Denver you might want to consider renting poles at REI. Both the Denver and Summit County store rent poles.