Bushwalk Australia

Hi all

I an off to Africa in the middle of the year for a few weeks. I would like take cabin luggage only. Has anybody had experience taking Black Diamond Z poles on international flight as part of your cabin luggage.

I am taking a 40l duffle style bag that has concealed shoulder straps and should be under 7kg.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

P

It's a really grey area - you may or may not get pulled up and given the cost of the poles its a big risk. Also in several 3rd world airports I have noticed a rather zealous approach to the rules, one suspects in order to receive a backhander to expedite the issue. Overweight bags are the biggie but I sure there is a good market for seized knives, poles etc.

What do those who need a walking stick as a mobility aid do? Are they allowed to take one (or two) on board? Or would you have to have medical certificates etc?

Not that I'm suggesting you limp or bandage an ankle up ....

Medical walking aids are visually different to bushwalking poles and having seen lots of people on planes over the years most non-wheelchair passengers get by with one only.
Given current paranoia on weapons [ they do have a sharp point] I'd be putting mine [ if I had the expensive ones] in my checked luggage or just buying a walking stick at the local market and helping the local economy
Otherwise make them look old and dirty and worth not very much and carry them collapsed.
I saw an umbrella seized while travelling in the USA

Save yourself the aggravation and don't bother trying to get them on as cabin baggage.

I was successful ONCE on an internal flight in another country, but I'm sure it was only my cheery, confident manner that led to success. I got many "looks".

I have travelled accompanied by one pole only, and had even that confiscated politely, albeit only for the trip, when travelling by local ferry. (yes, folks - ferry on water) Maybe I looked lie a Viking plunderer, capable of neutralising the crew, the entire passenger list and then hi jacking the ship with my Leki Ninja Staff .

Just play the silly game and have a pleasant trip .

stry wrote:I have travelled accompanied by one pole only, and had even that confiscated politely, albeit only for the trip, when travelling by local ferry. (yes, folks - ferry on water) .

You could puncture the liferaft with it. Or someone's lifejacket. Or the skipper . . .

I could do more damage with a pencil.

Onestepmore wrote:I could do more damage with a pencil.

Don't you have medical training?

If so that makes you very dangerous indeed!

(I wonder if that post will now have the NSA adding you to the no fly list :p)

Onestepmore wrote:I could do more damage with a pencil.

Another Ninja !!

Onestepmore wrote:I could do more damage with a pencil.

*shrug* I could do more damage with my bare hands, and I'm a pipsqueak. It's all in the training.

Thanks guys. The vagaries of what constitutes a threat on an aeroplane continue to surprise me.

The stories of what have got through and other materials that have not. The confiscated toothpaste tube because even though it only had about 20gms of material in it, it could hold 125gms.

I will have to use NNW as a shield in terrorist attacks.

Looks like I am going to have to go checked in luggage or my knees will protest too much.

Penguin wrote:I will have to use NNW as a shield in terrorist attacks.

Pay for my trip to and from Africa and I'll guard you to the death.
Yours, of course, not mine.

Penguin wrote:Thanks guys. The vagaries of what constitutes a threat on an aeroplane continue to surprise me.

The stories of what have got through and other materials that have not. The confiscated toothpaste tube because even though it only had about 20gms of material in it, it could hold 125gms.

I will have to use NNW as a shield in terrorist attacks.

Looks like I am going to have to go checked in luggage or my knees will protest too much.

Probably a good move. Different airport security have different interpretations of what constitutes a security threat on a flight. If it is a medical aid, then it is ok. But hiking poles are a different story, as they are not a necessity for a passenger as a mobility aid. You can try and argue that it is a mobility aid to airport security, and you may get through. But it is a risk.

north-north-west wrote:

Penguin wrote:I will have to use NNW as a shield in terrorist attacks.

Pay for my trip to and from Africa and I'll guard you to the death.
Yours, of course, not mine.

Not a sacrificial lamb then?

*licks lips* Hmmmmmmmmm, lamb . . .

north-north-west wrote:*licks lips* Hmmmmmmmmm, lamb . . .

No way cabin luggage . What ya thinkin?

Not only that but mine were unwrapped , taken apart & customs inspected coming into Australia for drugs. I can imagine Africans would be even more suspicious.

When coming back from OS with camping gear I occasionally post home my poles, tent pegs and knife so I can just travel with hand luggage. I just ask at a fabric shop for a tube, never had a problem getting one and then cut it to length, close the ends and off the the post office. It can take a couple of weeks before it gets back home but that's fine.

I have considered doing this to send poles etc to my destination but never had the contacts etc to get it to work. I would need to know the items had reached their destination before leaving and worry they may get caught up in customs etc.