The recent announcement that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved many items for carry-on to flights came as a surprise to most citizens. There has been a backlash by both airlines and aviation pundits about the approval of small knives. Congress is moving to reinstate the ban on knives. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), of the Homeland Security Committee, formally objected on Monday to the changes.
One thing of interest to outdoor adventurers was the approval of ski poles. White not specifically named, trekking (hiking) poles and Nordic Walking poles are in essence like ski poles. Industry leader LEKI markets poles that telescope down to about 23 inches; small enough to pack in a roll-away. Hikers who take a flight no longer have to check a bag.
I don’t know if this item will be restored as a no-carry-on; the poles have a carbide steel tip for walking on trails or grass. It would be easy to use the pole as a weapon by thrusting it into a body. We’ll have to see how the dust settles on this one.
Carpe Diem!
Rick Deutsch
HikeHalfDome.com
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