Question about security in Barajas
 

I will be landing in Barajas T4 on American and changing to an Iberia flight to Valencia. I can't remember if I will have to go through security again in Spain or if I will remain in a secure area for the entire process of changing planes.

I'm asking because I know that I can carry my hiking poles onto the plane in the US, having done it many times, so long as they are broken down and have rubber tips on the end. But I don't know about the policies in Spain and would hate to have them confiscated when I'm rushing to get onto a domestic flight and don't have enough time to go out to ticketing and check them.

Anyway, it'd be great if someone remembers whether the whole T4 is secure or whether passengers making connections have to re-enter. Thanks a lot.

If I remember correctly changing flights involves a security check.
You might try to contact Iberia regarding the poles.

As noted, you'll have to go from the arrivals section upstairs to the departure area, passing through both passport control and security. Their may be some problems with the hiking poles, but you never know how security is until you get there. Things change often. I went through security in Madrid carrying a new (and expensive) umbrella, which was later confiscated by one of the idiots at Heathrow when we had to change planes and pass through security.

Since the poles break down, can you put them in your checked luggage, or are they too long?

Thanks -- I was afraid of that. I will only have my backpack and do not want to check anything. The last time I checked my hiking poles, they were lost somewhere between Chicago and Madrid. I had a few hours before my train and was able to buy a replacement set but it was a real hassle. I usually take a train from Madrid to where I start to walk, but this year I decided to just continue on to Valencia from Barajas. I suppose that if they try to confiscate the poles, I can just forfeit my ticket and get a train, that would probably be cheaper and less of a hassle than replacing them in Spain. (Just checked the AVE prices and it looks like 72 euros to Valencia, but with my 40% golden age discount, that would be about 40 euros, so that will have to be my fallback plan).

I don't think the problem will be with Iberia, since the poles will be in a disposable duffel bag, my fear is the unpredictability of the security at the airport. Robert's experience is exactly what I'm afraid of. I know the airport in Santiago de Compostela won't let poles through security, but many people have had inconsistent experiences across the country.

I was just thinking about Robert's comments and I think that they mean I should be hopeful -- if security let the umbrella through in Madrid, that suggests they might let through the collapsed hiking poles! Luckily, I am not going through Heathrow so I don't have to worry about that airport.