Poles on a Plane?

Question:

Dear Kristin, How can you carry on trekking poles when flying a commercial airline?

Submitted by – Brian

Answer:

Dear Brian, I’d be surprised if you could take them through security at a major airport but traveling with poles is simple enough if you were smart enough to splurge for the collapsible ones (most telescope down to 24 inches or so). Just shrink ‘em down and put them in your pack or duffel. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to wrap them and check them.

Once, when I was traveling light with only a small pack and poles that wouldn’t fit inside, I asked the check-in agent for some wrapping tape and secured them together, taping over the pointy tips so they wouldn’t poke through anyone’s Gucci luggage.

Then I just tagged them and checked them in as a separate piece of luggage. Of course, that was back in the good old days when you didn’t get charged an extra $50 for a second checked bag.