Miami airport security question
 

I am leaving on Thursday on AA to Madrid. The three segments of my trip are American Eagle to Chicago, AA to Miami, and AA to Madrid. I know that I can bring my hiking sticks through security in my home town airport. And I know that in Chicago I do not have to leave the secure area to get on my flight to Miami.

My question is about the Miami airport. When I make my connection from an AA domestic flight to AA's flight to Madrid, will I have to leave the secure area and go back through security?

I am asking this because I am unlikely to have enough time to check my poles in Miami if the TSA personnel won't let them through security. So if I have to go through security in Miami, I will just check the poles in my home airport and hope they arrive in Madrid. Unfortunately, the airlines have lost two sets of my hiking poles and I much prefer to carry them with me.

There is no way to get a definitive answer on whether hiking poles are allowed. The federal regulations say that ski poles are prohibited but walking aids are allowed. So it's up the each individual agent to decide whether hiking poles are more like ski poles or more like walking aids. It's very frustrating but what can you do.

Thanks, fodorites.

No, you do not have to leave the secure area in MIA. There are passageways inside the secure area that link all the AA terminals/concourses. You'll simply deplane from your Chicago/Mia flight and proceed directly to the gate for your Madrid flight.

I am so thankful to be a member of this wonderful forum. Thank you for such a quick response, RoamsAround! You have set my mind at ease.

You will have to contend with the issue on the way back: security at MAD and TSA security again at MIA, since you have to pass through immigration and customs and then clear security upon entering the U.S.

Thanks for that info, Jeff, but I had planned to check the sticks on the way back. My main concern is getting them over to MAD with me because I'm walking a Camino and it would be impossible for the airlines to find me if the sticks were delayed. I will carry them on in a duffel bag, and when I land in Madrid, I'll mail the duffel to Santiago. On arrival in Santiago, I'll fill up the duffel with my hiking poles, cheese and olive oil and check it on the way home. It's a great plan -- if it works!