Will be travelling to Switzerland in mid-June and I intend to take only carryon luggage with me for the trip. My question is, do airlines (more specifically NW or KLM), allow trekking poles to be taken onboard in your hand luggage? The poles are in three sections and have rubber tips on bottom.

Just don't want to get to airport to find out that I will need to check luggage in order to be able to take them with me.

Thanks.

Probably not. Check your airlines website, the info is usually there.

I carry my three-sectioned VA cane in my carry on and take it out before we take off so I can use it on board...so why not trekking poles (but please don't use on board!)

stu T.

"Walking assistive devices", for disabled travelers are allowed:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...al_1370.shtm#1

But ski poses (and by implication, trekking poles), are not:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...d-items.shtm#5

So Stu T. can take his cane on board the plane, but you cannot take your trekking poles.

I have a "travel" pair that collapse to fit inside our checked baggage. I have traveled with friends who just put thier poles in a plastic bag and check them that way.

The alternative, itf you don't want to check anything, would be to buy some there. They are readily available, and often on sale on the racks outside of sprots stores.

Thanks for the advice. I checked with NWA and of course, got a form letter back on my response. To be safe, I will either check as baggage (which I don't really want to do) or may consider just shipping to my hotel in Switzerland (two pairs shouldn't cost that much).