Can I carry a canoe paddle on an airplane?

c1w · Post by **c1w** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:00 pm

I am flying US Air to north carolina this weekend -- there is already a boat there that I can use. I need to bring my paddle though. I don't have anything to check beside my paddle (56" long). Does anyone know if I can carry this on? (Would homeland security consider it a weapon? Can you carry on a baseball bat? hmm...)

I will call them but I know what you hear on the phone and what they tell you at the ticket counter are often different! Any advice?

Thanks!!!

kneeler · Post by **kneeler** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:33 pm

I am very interested in the answer to this question.

I've seen people take skateboards on a plane.

I'd take a skateboard over a paddle in a fight any day. Less reach but a truck to the dome would hurt way more than a paddle blade IMO. I don't know if that's how airport security judges the acceptability of carry-on items but it makes sense to me that if you can make a case that your carry-on item is less deadly than something else allowed than it should be cool.

beach · Post by **beach** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:57 pm

Check out www.tsa.gov. I would check the paddle as cargo... leaving it at the counter is not an option.

Post by **sbroam** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:23 pm

More specifically : http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... ems.shtm#5

Based on what they show under sporting goods, I'd say "check it".

jroneil · Post by **jroneil** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:54 pm

Break it and it becomes a nice spear especially wood or put
blade over pointed shaft and pull off or break shaft
No I don't think they would like that

msims · Post by **msims** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:58 pm

I tried to carry my paddle on in a flight in Canada a couple years ago. I was busted, I had to check it.

Pack it well, it should be fine.

knu2xs · Post by **knu2xs** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:40 pm

Tried to. Failed. No dice Laura.

Alan B · Post by **Alan B** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:03 am

I packed 2 mitchells and a werner for a trip from Montana to Maine in a ski bag. I recieved conficting info from websites, the airline and the Missoula airport. I decided not to try the carry-on, though it seemed safer for the gear. There was even some question as to if they would take it as checked luggage because the combined length and girth exceeded the limits. I took into the Missoula airport days ahead of the trip and they said it was fine but wouldn't guarantee coming back from Bangor. It all worked out but was somewhat stressful because I couldn't get a straight answer. I would consider taping your good paddle to a lesser paddle with a little bit of padding. Can't hurt and won't cost you any more. Ski bags should be cheap right now. Have a good trip.

Sir Adam · Post by **Sir Adam** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:06 am

pre-9/11 it was not a problem, and I frequently left my paddled up front where the steward / stewardesses keep their coats:)

Sounds like that won't work anymore, though.

And yes, you DO get a lot of looks walking through an airport with a garment bag on one shoulder, and a paddle in the other hand....

dan. · Post by **dan.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:40 pm

I never had a problem on domestic Canadian flights. I have carried both paddles and hockey sticks. US flights might be a different story. You guys tend to have very enthusiastic law enforcement.

kneeler · Post by **kneeler** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:44 pm

jroneil wrote:Break it and it becomes a nice spear especially wood or put
blade over pointed shaft and pull off or break shaft
No I don't think they would like that

I'll still take on your paddle spear with my skateboard.