[at-l] Backpacking poles on airlines

[cacaphony@earthlink.net (L Parker)]

<russboltz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<mailman.1019881553.32605.at-l@mailman.backcountry.net>...
> I take my poles with me anytime I fly, since I never know where I will
find
> a good place for some good walking. Airport security views them with some
> suspicion, but I have succeeded every time since 9/11 in the following
ways:
> (1) I have rubber tips on them, which makes them more like crutches or
canes
> (which, when you think about it, they really are!) (2) I have them fully
> extended and use them to walk the airport hallway with, so they are seen
as
> walking aids. (3) It helps that I'm 54, so people think I'm
> decrepit...chuckle.
>
> As for packing them, on a few occasions I have put them in my luggage,
> collapsed, and had no problems.


I took ALL of my mountaineering gear to New Hampshire back in December,
poles (2), ice axes (3), crampons (2), etc., and had no problems with them
in my checked luggage. I don't think they would have allowed all that in the
cabin however.

Lee I Joe