I received the following direct question from a visitor to this blog: “Hi–do you know anything about bringing Nordic walking poles strapped to carry on baggage?”
My answer was: “I take collapsible poles w/ rubber paws on and put them in a checked bag. I would not strap them to a carry-on, because the TSA will probably confiscate them because of the pointy tips. They have to allow canes and crutches, but I would bet they won’t permit NW poles.”
I will add that we are now in England, and we did just that to travel.
Have a most fabulous trip. I’m sure you’ll snapping pics of all the people Nordic Walking there. If you get a chance please post those pics on your blog.
Rhea
Ooh I leave next week for Asia and am planning on putting them in large checked bag as well.
Have a great trip Claire!
My vote for travel is to pack your one-piece Nordic Walking Poles in a padded pole bag (not a cheap pole sack).
Our one-piece Nordic Walking Poles where totally up for the challenge when we did the Grand Canyon back in December.
A lot of adjustable length poles don’t fit in luggage – typically folks need three piece poles to squeeze them into a suitcase. I haven’t tried the Leki Traveler, but Leki makes some of the best of the twist-locks. The EXEL TravelFit are kinda cool in that they don’t vibrate and rattle like the cheaper twist-lock poles do.
I don’t recommend adjustable poles for seniors and folks with balance issues. And three-piece poles are even trickier.
When flying skiers and Nordic Walkers are allowed one ski bag or pole bag, one boot bag and one suitcase. TSA refuses to make a ruling regarding “carry on” of Nordic Walking Poles – they say it is up to each individual airport. A retired judge in MN ski walks through airports and onto planes, but given her health issues the poles are probably considered canes. I can’t get TSA to clarify their policy regarding walking poles.
Walking with poles is the best – don’t leave home without them!
Airline regulations have changed. United led the way in charging $25 (or is it $50?) for a second checked bag. I have a High Sierra rolling duffel. I have Leki trekking and NW poles. I simply collapse them, put the rubber caps on and put them in the bottom of the bag in the channel between to two handles.
I didn’t want to waste precious time researching US second-bag fees while I was in England, but here’s the deal: United, Delta, Continental, US Airways, Northwest and American (starting Monday May 12) charge $25 for a second checked bag, which would include a padded pole bag.
I know that a ski bag and a boot bag used to be considered as one piece of checked baggage. I am not sure whether that is still the case. We’ll know better next winter whether the second-bag (or even a second- and third-bag) fee will be levied for this gear.
The same rule would presumably apply to golf bags or fishing rod cases, but since I’m not a golfer or an angler, I haven’t paid much attention to airline policies there.
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