Walkin' Stick on Plane

“I may be flying with my gear for the first time here shortly. I have a walking stick (haven't converted to trekking poles yet) that is about 5'5" and was wondering if anybody has flown commercial with one - what did you do?

Potential Answers:
1. Buy trekking poles
2. Walk around the airport like a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (and scare the heck out of my fellow travelers)
3. Check it - they'll take it

I hope it's #3.”

“I guess someone told you to carry a big stick!


LOL”

“Don't try to carry it on the plane. About fifteen years ago I tried to carry an unstrung recurve bow with a fishing rod taped to it on a plane and the federales descended on me like flies on merde. I had my wife take it back, box it up and mail it to me. They let some guy on with his golf clubs though. Go figure.
I suggest you make a case out of pvc pipe for your walking stick to protect it from the knuckle-dragging baggage handlers.”

“Big Coop, as former "knuckle-dragging baggage handler" I can assure you that you dont want to risk it if the walking stick has any sentimental value. If I recall do not drop meant throw and catch with both hands, fragile meant dont leave foot prints....”

“You could limp... <grin>. Have they been taking away peoples' crutches?”

“I did #3 recently, packed in a duffle.”

“that's an easy one. you can get em for like 50 bucks on northern mountain”

“Potential Answers continued:

4. Leave it home.

Find yourself a hiking stick in the woods. If you are going in a desert, surely you will pass some woods between the airport and the trailhead.”

“Get Trekking Poles. Last year I put them in my pack and it was fine. If you must use a stick, Find one there.”

“Got to see a couple of walking sticks the last time I hiked Zaleski...the first time I ever seen one.”

“Don't get trekking poles! I'm sure that your trusty walking staff has a certain spirit to it that metalic poles will never have. The PVC tube is a good idea. Check it.”

“"I did #3 recently, packed in a duffle."
Pathman
09:45:57 AM
08/11/02


That could be a very funny thing to take out of context.


:)”

“Thanks for the suggestions. I wouldn't say I've had the stick long enough for sentimental value - but I do like it and I like the feel of it better than trekking poles.

Nowslimmer - I remember that you made/found yours in Ocala - not a bad idea either.”

“Offer it to the gate attendant-let them xray it for metal-and offer to claim it at the end of the flight.
Be proactive and don't scream about ALLAH too much.
Hell buy the captain a drink and let him tote it for you.”

“I'd check it in an approppriate box.”

“Good idea Pathman.”

“I'd call the airline. When I called before my trip to Utah; I found out I could indeed pack my pepper spray and my pocket rocket in my checked bag! News to me.”

“does "any" metal set off a detector? like a paper clip ?
or does it pik up on a certain number of various metal/composite? coins, gun (about 7 diff metals), keys?
isn't a pocket rocket "pressurized"? they let u on a plane w/that?”

“Just the top part not the cannister of fuel. But they did let me carry my pressurized pepper spray! They also told me no lighters even on the plane. That surprised me.

Also metal detectors are variable, one can set the sensitivity at various levels.”

“Metal detectors are extremely variable. Where I used to work, we had these big aluminum badges we were supposed to wear at shows. They were notorious for setting off the metal detectors at airports. Except for the one here.”

“TT stik maker...I have all the answers regarding walking sticks. Its my job to know these things.

you have 2 options...and the first one is not a good one. in light of the current security issues you WILL NOT be able to carry it onboard, as in the past.

#1 AT check in give it to the clerk and say "please make sure this gets on the plane".

#2 Go to your nearest carpet store, and ask them for a carpet tube, cut it to the appropriate length. Crush the ends and tape them together, real good. and pack plastic bags around the ends of your stick and then insert it into the tube. then crush that end, just step on the ends, and tape it real good. write you name all over the thing or do some great graffitti art work, because you get to keep the tube forever, use some duct tape and rig up a nice handle in the center of the tube, just don't make the handle too big as it will get ripped off in handling. Then just check it in with the rest of your gear...2 check in and one carry on.

Any other questions regarding sticks and traveling. let me know, as I said...its my business to know how to travel with hiking sticks.”

“We have used map tubes to send walking sticks, (actully, old ski poles) before we broke down and bought Lekis. Those can be folded up to fit into our packs or a duffle bag. I wouldn't leave the sticks loose, without labels and packaging. It's too easy for someone to just lean the sticks against a wall and forget them. If you are going to a woody area, I would just leave the sticks behind and pick one up there. If you are going to a desert area - you probably won't need sticks. If above treeline, I would get collapsables.”

“do they still make oriental walking cane/sticks w/a sword surprise in it?
i love surprises”

“Don't listen to the rantings of the rank amatuers out there. Take your walking stick and do your thing...I just got back from the Rockies...no problem with the stick...and there won't be any problems for you if you follow the advise that I gave ya...leki poles suck...Take your favorite hiking stick and have a great time.

Me and my hiking stick would be glad to hike with you and your hiking stick anytime...anywhere.”

“old, dirty, nasty wiking stick and hike days with it. After rubbing your hands all over it and then touch food, eyes...handkerchief, whatever...good grief!!! pick up a stick out of the woods...thats just nasty. Take your trusty friend...I would never hike without mine, that's for sure...Suckie poles have no personality...they have no soul, there is no magic in them and they are sterile and and and they all look alike. YUCK!!!!!

IMHO...well ok, not so humble. I'm a purist...can you imagine Gandalf with a pukie pole on the bridge in Khazam Dum, could you imagine Moses trying to part the Red Sea with a Dickie pole...I think not!!!

If you want to be a turn coat, go ahead, I won't hold that against you, but when your schmeki pole can't light the way in the darkness, don't come cryin to me...”

“Btw, when you got through security make sure your pockets are empty! I went to mexico a while ago (not backpacking) and it took me about 10 minutes for me to get through due to gum wrappers, change, belt buckle, etc. And they made me take of my shoes not a pleasent experience.”

“and I asked to be stripped searched by the pretty security guard...I told the ugly dude, I didn't want him touching me, but the pretty one could. they didn't like that very much..."sir, would you mind stepping over here?" the ran that wand thingy all over, I asked him if he wanted to put it up my arse and then smell it to see if there were any bomb making materials stuffed up there...they went through my entire bag...took everything out. I still wanted the pretty woman to strip search me...they told me to move along and go away...I yelled, I want her to strip search me...its my right to be stripped searched and I demand that she does it...they then knocked me on the head with a wooden club and dragged me to my plane and said "we don't like your kind round here, now GIT!"

I went home totally unsatisfied and deeply depressed...she was really pretty.”

“stikmon - you live up to your name! Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Stik mon - you're really starting to sound pathetic, ya know that?

Coop - I used to check mine all the time until 9/11 happened. I had to check it coming and going to ocala early this year. I just put a tag around it and they took it like it was - course I had to sigh a "hold harmless" waiver saying they wouldn't be responsible if anything happened.

I have to say the carpet tube sounds ok, but it's still crushable. I like the PVC idea and plus you can write all over it with a Sharpie marker. When I bring mine next time, I'll try the PVC tube.

Let me know how you make out - Good Luck!!”

“you ever try to crush a carpet tube? I have shipped hundreds of walking sticks around the globe and not one was damaged. I agree that pvc is more industructable, but carpet tubes are free and require no construction or glue. the only thing you need is a roll of tape to seal the one end up upon returning home. nuff said...and I resent the comment about sounding pathetic...tex...your banned!!! unless of course you have some really good chocolate to share, but I'm desperate, not pathetic. but I can do pathetic if it gets me a woman.”

“Yeah - I remember you brought a pretty sturdy looking stick with you to Ocala but for some reason I thought you drove. I'll try some kind of tube I think.”

“make like yer blind and that's yer feeler stick...”

“Strat...you never cease to amaze me.”

“i wonder if blind people backpack.....”

“One did the entire AT.”

“One hiked/climbed Everest.”

“I can't seee...

what's the matter?

I got my eyes closed.”

“saw pictures of a blind guy that rock climbs. that can't be easy
i think he teaches it at some

backpack college.

maybe bp mag.”